Sr. Controls Engineer

EAVX; Pennsylvania; On-site; USD 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a Sr. Controls Engineer to lead electrical and controls initiatives for innovative manufacturing projects. In this pivotal role, you will drive the development of advanced control systems, collaborating with cross-functional teams to enhance safety, quality, and efficiency across multiple facilities. Your expertise will guide the implementation of cutting-edge technologies, ensuring compliance with industry standards while fostering a culture of continuous improvement. If you are passionate about engineering and eager to make a significant impact in a dynamic environment, this opportunity awaits you.

Qualifications

• Expert knowledge in electrical and controls engineering.
• Strong project leadership and communication skills.
• Experience with automation and process design.

Responsibilities

• Lead electrical and controls activities for new equipment projects.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to improve safety and efficiency.
• Champion advanced controls projects and drive technical innovation.

Skills

Electrical Engineering

Controls Engineering

Project Management

Automation

Data Analysis

Lean Manufacturing

Programming (Python, Visual Basic)

Communication Skills

Education

Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering

15+ years of controls engineering experience

Tools

SAP

SolidWorks

AutoCad

Studio5000

FactoryTalk

Kepware

Ignition

Job description

Company and Position Overview:

JB Poindexter & Co (JBPCO) is a privately held diversified manufacturing company forecasting $2.6B in annual revenue and 8,500 team members in 2025. The nine operating subsidiaries, covering approximately 70 locations, are engaged in the production of commercial truck bodies, step-vans, utility trucks, funeral coaches, limousines, electric and alternative fuel vehicles, pickup truck bed enclosures, precision machining, and expandable foam plastic packaging. For more information, visit www.jbpoindexter.com.

As a key member of JBPCO’s Advanced Manufacturing Engineering team, the Sr. Controls Engineer will be responsible for leading the electrical and controls activities on new equipment related projects from concept to implementation. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, identifying, justifying, writing the scope of work, supporting the selection of the preferred vendor/integrator, validation of electrical and controls design, validation of proper electrical and controls BOM, ensuring the equipment is aligned with JBPCO standards, and implementing the solution at the plant. The Sr Controls Engineer will also be the subject matter expert, providing best practice advice to plant support engineers and maintenance technicians, providing ongoing technical support and training.

The Sr. Controls Engineer will be executing multiple projects at one time, potentially in different facilities across North America. Within the JBPCO portfolio, the Sr controls engineer could lead projects that range across the areas of traditional controls, SCADA, RFID and Artificial Intelligence, including developing technologies to advance JBPCO’s capabilities. Working with the various Business Units, the Sr Controls Engineer will lead the development of JBPCO Control system standards through the formation of technical councils. The controls projects at their core are based around safety, labor dependency reduction, quality, workflow, and delivery improvements.

Essential Job Functions:

• Subject matter expert in machine control architecture, logic, and programming.
• Collaborate with Automation Engineers and champion controls portions of automation projects that will reduce risk, improve throughput, safety, quality, space efficiency, and cost effectiveness. Performs control system design, development, and implementation of automated and semi-automated equipment.
• Working cross-functionally and collaboratively at all levels of the organization leads discussions with key stakeholders to determine capabilities, opportunities, strategies, and goals.
• Create and lead a Controls Engineering Technology Council to establish and maintain standards, commonality, code compliance, and upskill the Business Units in electrical and controls applications. Contribute to JBPCO equipment standards.
• Pursue and evaluate technological advancements in controls including safety, Data Driven Manufacturing (DDM), SCADA, Vision Systems (traditional, multi-spectral, and AI), and Artificial Intelligence applications. Implement as appropriate and develop procedures and standards.
• Prepares technical reports resulting from research and development and maintenance investigations.
• Champion advanced controls projects, utilizing a collaborative team approach, per the determined strategy that reduce risk, improve throughput, safety, quality, labor dependency, space efficiency, and cost effectiveness. Initiatives to drive commonality and scalability.
• Performs proof of concept testing of new controls technology, driving technical innovation, and information sharing with plant level technical resources.
• Manages projects / processes, working independently with limited supervision.
• Utilize project management skills to maintain an appropriate level of project control with respect to project budget, timeline, resource allocation, document control, and issuance of purchase orders.
• Investigate, gather and analyze data, and troubleshoot controls systems including, but not limited to electrical, motion controls, robot programs, sensor/optical technology, vision systems, PLC, HMI, SCADA, data transfer, and other technical systems. The controls engineering specialist must have the ability to identify and utilize proper electronic hardware, tools, and interconnections to measure controls systems.
• Identify firmware and controls system upgrade requirements, aid and perform upgrades as needed. Provides controls hardware and software improvement recommendations and best practices on next generation systems.
• Develop equipment electrical and controls specifications with vendors to meet manufacturing, safety, and regulatory requirements as scalable solutions. Document procedures for configuration, setup, and operations for quick deployment.
• Informs and trains enterprise wide internal and external resources to JBPCO’s electrical schematics, standards, and controls equipment specifications and ensures compliance. Trains and enables the enterprise’s controls resources to be self-sufficient at running, maintaining, and modifying controls and automated systems.
• Coaching, mentoring, and reviewing the work of lower-level professionals.
• Act as a change agent driving technical innovation within individual plants and across the enterprise.
• Actively participates in PFMEA and other Quality Risk Assessment activities.
• Adheres to JBPCO and industry safety policies and standards 100% of the time, including but not limited to, RIA, ANSI, ISO, IEEE, AWS, and NFPA.
• Develop with maintenance operations policies, procedures, and spare parts.
• Lead and train the Business Units on controls safety standards, operation, and maintenance.

Qualifications:

• A self-starter with strong project leadership experience performing work under minimal supervision whether working collaboratively in a team or independently.
• Handles complex issues and problems referring only the most complex issues to higher-level staff.
• Ability to communicate (written and oral), collaborate, build rapport, and foster teamwork with personnel at all levels in a manufacturing environment.
• Expert knowledge of electrical and controls engineering, processes, application, and design.
• Provides leadership, coaching, and mentoring to a subordinate group.
• Planning, analytical thinking, problem solving, decision making and leadership skills.
• Excellent automation/electrical/mechanical/process integration aptitude.
• Detail oriented.
• Knowledge and comprehension of engineering tools, systems, and databases, part designs and prints. (SAP, SolidWorks, AutoCad, DraftSight, etc.)
• Understanding of manufacturing design elements/tools/systems, processes, and regulatory requirements.
• Experience with Data Analysis, DOE, FMEA, DFM/DFA.
• Experience programming and troubleshooting Fanuc robots and Rockwell PLCs.
• Experience in automation, process design, material presentation, and line balancing.
• Experience in a high-volume, complex manufacturing environment and/or high-mix, low volume manufacturing environment.
• Must have a passion for safety, workplace organization, and continuous improvement with a focus on Lean tools and Lean implementation.
• Proficient with computer systems and software packages such as Microsoft Word, Excel, Power-Point, and Outlook (email).
• Understanding and comprehension of electrical standards for US, Canada, and Mexico.
• Proficient with programming software such as Studio5000, FactoryTalk, Kepware and Ignition.
• Expert knowledge and experience selecting, configuring, programming, and troubleshooting PLCs, HMI, servos/drives, robots, vision systems, hydraulic, pneumatic, and safety systems.
• Visual Basic Programming, Python, structured text and other programming knowledge is a plus.

Education:

• Bachelor of Science in Electrical, Electrical Controls, Mechanical, or Industrial Engineering or equivalent experience required.
• 15+ years of directly related controls engineering experience.

Travel Expectation:

• Reading, PA 50% + Houston, TX= 75%+.
• Must have a valid driver’s license and passport.

JB Poindexter & Co., Inc. 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.

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Travel Required: Yes

Virtual Job: false