Lead Controls Engineer

Location St. Joseph Michigan, United States, Buchanan Michigan, United States

Salary: $85,000 - $130,000

Industry: Engineering

Job Description

Skills: Controls engineering, custom automation, precision machining, design experience utilizing AutoCAD, PLC - Allen Bradley, HMI - Allen Bradley, Robotics, Servos

Qualifications: Bachelors degree in engineering

Job Description:

A Senior Controls Engineer uses their knowledge of custom automation and precision machining as a member of a team of sales professionals, managers, designers, and builders to develop world-class automation systems. These machines are uniquely designed assembly, inspection, and test systems for industries that demand precision assembly for their components. Some of the industries served include automotive, aerospace, defense, medical equipment, pharmaceutical, and industrial component manufacturers.

Job Duties:

• A Senior Controls Engineer will take responsibility for the design effort on assigned projects under the direction of the Director of Engineering. This typically includes, but is not limited to:
  • Prepare control systems designs and utilizing AutoCAD, prepare drawings which include power distribution, PLC, main and station panel layouts, console layouts, pneumatics, hydraulics, and instrumentation.
  • Write and document software.
  • Review and take ownership of budgets and schedules. Work with the Project Manager to develop cost-to-completes and release dates.
  • Coordinate with the Controls Assembly Department during the build phases of the project to provide efficient and timely solutions to problems.
  • Lead and develop the Controls Design Department through mentorship of Level I and Level II Controls Engineers. This includes facilitating formal and informal training on products and software.
  • Develop preliminary project schedules.
  • After power-up, debug software to develop the machine into a production-worthy system.
  • Participate as a team member during the installation phase of the project.

Desired Hardware Competency:

• PLC: Allen Bradley - CompactLogix, ControlLogix, SLC 500, PLC 5, MicroLogix; Siemens: 416; Square D: Symax 50.
• HMI: Allen Bradley - PanelView, PanelView Plus; Siemens: TP, OP Series.
• Communications: Allen Bradley - Ethernet I/P, ControlNet, DeviceNet; Siemens: Profibus.
• Variable Frequency Drives: Allen Bradley PowerFlex, SEW Eurodrive.
• Robotics: Denso, Epson, FANUC, Kuka, Kawasaki.
• Linear Actuators: Intelligent Actuator, Festo, Tolomatic, Rexroth.
• Servos: Allen Bradley - Kinetix 6000, SERCOS Servo Drive Interface; Yaskawa - SGDV, SGDH.
• Vision: Keyence / Panasonic / Cognex / DVT.
• Data Acquisition: Keithley - DAS-1400, DAS-1600, PIO-120.

Desired Software Competency:

• PLC: Allen Bradley - RSLogix 5000, RSLogix 500; Siemens - Step 7, TIA Portal; Square D.
• HMI: Allen Bradley - FactoryTalk View Studio, RSView, PanelBuilder; Siemens - ProTool.
• Communications: Allen Bradley - RSNetworks, RSLinx, Ethernet, ControlNet, DeviceNet; Siemens - Profibus.
• Robotics: Adept V+, QuickBasic, Python, C++.
• Servos: Allen Bradley - Kinetix 6000; SEW - Motion Studio.
• Application Development: Visual Basic v4.0, v5.0, v6.0, National Instruments LabWindows.

Required Education and Experience:

• Bachelors degree in engineering.
• 7+ years of experience in controls engineering related to custom automation.
• At least 3 years of design experience utilizing AutoCAD software required.

Supervisory Responsibility:

This position will lead and develop Level I and Level II Controls Engineers in their group or department on a day-to-day basis.

This is a full-time position. Days and hours of work are Monday through Friday, with 48 hours of work expected per week. Occasional evening and weekend work may be required as job duties demand. Travel will be 20% or more per year.