Technical Lead - Controls Engineering

AAON, Inc.

Redmond (OR)

On-site

USD 111,000 - 167,000

Full time

14 days+

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Benefits offered by this job

Tuition reimbursement

Paid time-off

Paid holidays

Healthcare insurance & Health Savings

Profit sharing or Annual Incentive

Premium 401(k) plan

Job summary

AAON, Inc. in Redmond, Oregon seeks a highly skilled Controls Engineer IV to lead the design, development, and continuous improvement of electrical and HVAC control systems. You will set technical direction, establish standards, and mentor engineers while driving projects from concept to implementation.

You will guide PLC and DDC programming, ensure code compliance, and advance best practices across the organization, delivering reliable, efficient system solutions.

Qualifications

Requires a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical, Controls or Mechanical Engineering.
Minimum 6 years of experience in electrical controls engineering or related field.
Advanced system design and leadership experience preferred.

Responsibilities

Serve as a senior technical resource for HVAC control systems, PLC programming, DDC controls, and automation systems.
Contribute to the technical vision and roadmap for controls engineering technologies, platforms, and standards.
Develop, maintain, and improve company-wide controls engineering standards, design practices, documentation requirements, and reusable technical assets.
Review controls architectures, sequences of operation, control strategies, and electrical control system designs for complex applications.
Lead and support root-cause analysis and corrective actions.
Ensure compliance with applicable codes, standards, and safety regulations across all systems.
Provide technical leadership and mentorship to less experienced engineers and team members.

Skills

Electrical controls

PLC programming

DDC programming

Leadership

Mentoring

Standards development

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical/Controls/Mechanical Engineering

Tools

Carel platform

Control systems design tools

Job description

Job Description:

The Controls Engineer IV provides technical leadership for the design, development, and implementation and continuous improvement of electrical and HVAC control systems, controls architectures, PLC programming, DDC systems, and engineering standards. This role drives engineering excellence by establishing technical direction, engineering best practices, and controls design standards ensuring system performance and reliability, and aligning solutions with organizational objectives and customer requirements. The Controls Engineer IV works collaboratively across engineering disciplines and business functions to lead complex projects, influence engineering standards, and advance continuous improvement efforts. The position champions engineering governance, design excellence innovation, and continuous improvement while serving as a subject matter expert for controls-related technologies and methodologies.

Primary Duties:

Serve as a senior technical resource for HVAC control systems, PLC programming, DDC controls, and automation systems.
Contribute to the technical vision and roadmap for controls engineering technologies, platforms, and standards.
Develop, maintain, and improve company-wide controls engineering standards, design practices, documentation requirements, and reusable technical assets.
Review controls architectures, sequences of operation, control strategies, and electrical control system designs for complex applications.
Evaluate and recommend deviations from established standards when technically justified.
Develop, maintain, and continuously improve engineering standards, design guides, libraries, templates, and best practices. Establish standards for PLC, HMI, DDC, networking, and system integration applications.
Lead and support root-cause analysis efforts for significant technical issues and help drive implementation of corrective actions.
Ensure compliance with applicable codes, standards, and safety regulations across all systems.
Provide technical leadership and mentorship to less experienced engineers and team members.
Primary duties may include, but are not limited to:
Develop continuous improvement initiatives related to control systems and automation processes.
Research, evaluate and implement new technologies to enhance system capabilities and efficiency.
Mentor controls engineers through technical coaching, design feedback, and knowledge sharing.
Identify emerging technologies and recommend adoption where they improve reliability, efficiency, manufacturability, serviceability, or product performance.
Performs other duties as assigned.

Job Requirements

Education and Experience Requirements:

Requires a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Controls Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related discipline;
Minimum 6 years of experience in electrical controls engineering or a related field,
Or any combination of education and experience, which would provide an equivalent background. Advanced system design and leadership experience preferred.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Advanced knowledge of electrical controls architecture, sequences of operation, and controls integration
Expertise in PLC and DDC programming; Carel platform knowledge, preferred.
Demonstrated ability to support technical standards and influence engineering decisions.
Ability to design, interpret, and review complex technical drawings and schematics.
Excellent troubleshooting and problem-solving skills for complex systems.
Strong leadership, mentoring, and decision-making abilities.
Effective communication and collaboration skills across all organizational levels.
Thorough understanding of NEC, UL, NFPA, ASHRAE, and other applicable standards.

Essential and Physical Functions:

Ability to communicate effectively in written and verbal formats.
Strong analytical thinking and advanced problem-solving skills.
Ability to manage multiple complex projects and priorities.
Ability to work independently and lead technical efforts.
Ability to sit for extended periods while performing design and programming work.
Ability to lift up to 10 lbs. occasionally.
Visual acuity, including close vision and color differentiation, for detailed system design and troubleshooting.
Ability to travel occasionally to support commissioning, testing, and field support activities.

Work Environment:

Perform work in both office and manufacturing environments.
Exposure to varying temperatures, including occasional extreme heat or cold.
Occasional exposure to moving mechanical parts and production equipment.
Moderate to high noise levels in manufacturing areas.
Regular interaction with engineering, production, and project teams.
Compliance with all safety policies and procedures to maintain a safe working environment.
Use of personal protective equipment (PPE) as required in manufacturing areas.
This role is classified as a Safety Sensitive Position, requiring heightened awareness and adherence to all safety protocols to ensure a safe and secure work environment.

Disclaimer:

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at a time with or without notice. This job description is not an exhaustive list of all functions that the employee may be required to perform, and the employee may be required to perform additional functions. The company reserves the right to revise this job description at any time. The employee must be able to perform the essential functions of the position satisfactorily. If requested, reasonable accommodations may be made to enable employees with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job, absent undue hardship.

Benefits and Compensation Summary:

We take care of our people. We offer competitive compensation and robust benefits to all full-time team members, including: