Sr. Controls Engineer

Dematic; Grand Rapids (MI); On-site; USD 115,200 - 144,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Career Development

Competitive Compensation and Benefits

Pay Transparency

Global Opportunities

Job summary

Dematic in Grand Rapids, MI, seeks a Senior Controls Engineer to shape automation solutions, creating standardized, reusable controls building blocks for global deployment. You will bridge Product Development and Project Execution, driving integration of new technologies into scalable systems.

You will lead in system-level behavior of equipment, software, and human interaction, focusing on modular design, deployment speed, and operational performance, with travel up to 35% globally.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical/Mechanical/Automation/Mechatronics/CS or related field.
• 5+ years of experience in controls engineering or related industrial engineering field.
• Strong experience in industrial automation and controls system design.
• Experience with modular, scalable automation solutions and system-level thinking.
• Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams and manage customer deployments.

Responsibilities

• Develop and commercialize standardized controls building blocks for reusable deployment across global logistics solutions.
• Engineer PLC/HMI-based controls content for modular and end-to-end automation solutions.
• Evaluate emerging automation technologies and determine applicability and integration strategy.
• Generate controls layouts, electrical documentation, and software for deployment.
• Collaborate with global engineering to define requirements and ensure alignment across development and delivery.
• Support pilot implementations with mentorship, solution validation, and site execution support.
• Ensure compliance with international and regional standards and codes.
• Contribute to system validation, testing, and continuous performance optimization.

Skills

Controls engineering

Industrial automation

Systems thinking

PLC/SCADA/HMI

Leadership

Communication

Travel willingness

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical/Mechanical Automation Mechatronics CS

Tools

Siemens S7 / TIA Portal

SINAMICS S120

Profinet

EtherNet/IP

HMI/SCADA development

Job description

We are seeking a Senior Controls Engineer to join our Solutions & Delivery Optimization team, playing a key role in shaping how current and next-generation automation solutions are designed, standardized, and delivered globally. This strategic role is responsible for reviewing and influencing new equipment and system concepts while driving the development of standardized, reusable controls building blocks used across global logistics solutions. Serving as the technical bridge between Product Development and Project Execution, this role ensures that new technologies are evaluated, standardized, and successfully integrated into scalable solutions that can be deployed consistently across global customer projects. Beyond individual machine performance, this role focuses on system-level behavior-how equipment, controls, software, and human interaction work together to deliver fully integrated, high-performance automation solutions. The objective is to enable scalable, modular system design that improves consistency, deployment speed, and operational performance. As a technical authority, you will influence controls architecture, system standards, and solution implementation strategies to ensure scalable, reliable, and efficient automation systems.

We offer:

• Career Development
• Competitive Compensation and Benefits
• Pay Transparency
• Global Opportunities

Learn More Here: https://www.dematic.com/en-us/about/careers/what-we-offer

Dematic provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.

The base pay range for this role is estimated to be $115,200-$144,000 at the time of posting. Final compensation will be determined by various factors such as work location, education, experience, knowledge, and skills.

Tasks and Qualifications:

What You Will do in This Role:

• Develop and commercialize standardized controls building blocks for reusable deployment across global logistics solutions.
• Engineer PLC/HMI-based controls content for modular and end-to-end automation solutions.
• Evaluate emerging automation technologies and equipment to determine their applicability, integration strategy, and value within standardized solution architectures.
• Generate controls layouts, electrical documentation, and software required for system deployment.
• Collaborate with global engineering organizations to define requirements, drive controls standardization and productization, and ensure alignment across solution development and delivery.
• Support pilot implementations through technical mentorship, solution validation, and site execution support to ensure successful customer delivery and commercialization.
• Ensure compliance with international and regional standards and applicable codes.
• Contribute to system validation, testing, and continuous performance optimization.

What We Are Looking For:

• Senior-level experience in industrial automation and controls system design.
• Strong systems thinking across mechanical, controls, software, and complete solution behavior.
• Experience engineering modular, scalable, and reusable automation solutions.
• Deep experience developing PLC, HMI, and SCADA applications using Siemens S7 / TIA Portal, including Siemens Technology Objects, SINAMICS S120 motion control systems, and industrial communication networks such as Profinet and EtherNet/IP.
• Strong understanding of machine-to-human interaction, HMI design, and exception handling in industrial automation systems.
• Experience with logistics automation technologies such as conveyors, sortation systems, AS/RS, shuttle systems, pallet handling, or similar material handling equipment.
• Strong technical leadership with the ability to collaborate across global, multi-functional engineering organizations.
• Excellent communication, collaboration, and customer management skills.
• Experience supporting field deployment and customer implementation activities.
• 5+ years of experience in controls engineering, automation, mechatronics, or related industrial engineering fields.
• Proven experience in system-level or modular automation design, beyond individual machine controls.
• Experience developing and maintaining standardized PLC software platforms, reusable controls code, or productized automation solutions.
• Experience in logistics, material handling, or large-scale automation systems strongly preferred.
• Travel up to 35% globally to support customer deployments and technology validation.

Education

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Automation Engineering, Mechatronics, Computer Science, or a related engineering field (or equivalent experience).

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