Senior Industrial Controls Engineer: PLC & HMI Expert

Flex Tek; Portland (OR); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Flex-Tek, a division of Smiths, seeks an Industrial Controls Engineer to join the Innovation Team. You will design and implement PLC/HMI/SCADA-based control systems, integrate with mechanical and electrical equipment, and support start-ups and field installations to deliver safe, reliable automation solutions.

The role emphasizes hands-on engineering, detailed documentation, and continuous learning, with travel 10–20% to manufacturing sites for installations and start-ups.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics, Automation Engineering, Controls Engineering, Engineering Technology, or related field; equivalent hands-on controls experience may be considered.
• 5+ years of experience in industrial controls and automation.
• Proficiency in PLC programming (e.g., Allen-Bradley, Automation Direct Productivity/Click series, Siemens, Mitsubishi).
• Experience with HMI/SCADA systems (e.g., C-more, FactoryTalk, WinCC, Ignition).
• Strong understanding of industrial communication protocols (Ethernet/IP, Modbus, Profibus).
• Familiarity with electrical design software (Solidworks Electrical Schematic, Draftsight, EPLAN).
• Knowledge of safety standards (Cat. 1-4, NFPA 70E, UL508A, ISO 13849).
• Excellent problem-solving and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Design PLC, HMI, SCADA, and networked control systems that solve practical manufacturing challenges.
• Create electrical schematics, panel layouts, and control system designs that are safe, clear, maintainable, and ready for implementation.
• Collaborate with Mechanical Design Engineers and the Innovation Team during equipment design to ensure controls, wiring, safety, serviceability, and automation requirements are considered early in the process.
• Select sensors, actuators, drives, and control hardware that fit the application, performance goals, and long-term service needs.
• Program PLCs and configure HMIs that are dependable for production teams and intuitive for operators.
• Integrate controls with mechanical, electrical, robotic, and process equipment to create complete working systems.
• Support hands-on control panel builds, field sensor installation, wiring, and system checkout.
• Test, troubleshoot, and refine automation sequences, alarms, and safety interlocks to support safe and consistent operation.

Skills

5+ years industrial controls

Strong problem solving

Excellent communication

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering / Mechatronics / Automation / Controls Engineering

Tools

PLC programming (Allen-Bradley, Siemens, Mitsubishi, etc.)

HMI/SCADA systems (C-more, FactoryTalk, WinCC, Ignition)

Industrial communication protocols (Ethernet/IP, Modbus, Profibus)

Electrical design software (Solidworks Electrical, Draftsight, EPLAN)

Job description

Flex-Tek, a division of Smiths, seeks an Industrial Controls Engineer to join the Innovation Team. You will design and implement PLC/HMI/SCADA-based control systems, integrate with mechanical and electrical equipment, and support start-ups and field installations to deliver safe, reliable automation solutions.

The role emphasizes hands-on engineering, detailed documentation, and continuous learning, with travel 10–20% to manufacturing sites for installations and start-ups.