Senior Controls Engineer
Position Overview: The Senior Controls Engineer is a high-impact individual contributor who designs, programs, commissions, debugs,and deploys complex automation systems while informally mentoring junior engineers. A senior CE is capable of executing a projectindependently throughout the entire project life cycle. The role serves as a technical cornerstone on multi-million-dollar projects, owningelectrical design, PLC/HMI/robot code, motion solutions, and safety compliance. This position reports directly to the Director ofEngineering.
Key Responsibilities:
- Develops PLC (ladder/structured text), HMI, simulations, and robot programs that meet cycle-time, quality, and safety targets.
- Simultaneously supports several projects that may be in different phases (design, build, debug, runoff) while maintaining task clarity and responsiveness.
- Drives assigned project segments from concept through runoff; maintains task lists, adheres to budgets, and supports on-site startup.
- Applies department coding/electrical standards and proposes incremental improvements for review by Technical Leads.
- Coaches Level 1-3 engineers during code reviews and debug, mentors interns and co‑ops on best practices, training, and overall workload, and delivers “lunch-and-learn” sessions as requested.
- Interfaces with Mechanical, Build, Electrical, and Project Management teams to align scope and resolve integration issues.
- Leads root-cause analysis on complex debug issues, escalating issues as needed.
- Presents technical details to customers, clarifies specifications, and works with vendors on component selection.
- Willing to travel approximately 10% - 20%.
Qualifications:
Education: Bachelor’s degree in Electrical, Controls, or related engineering field preferred.
Experience: 5+ years in controls/automation, with multiple full-project life-cycles delivered.
Technical Skills:
- High-level competency in electrical and pneumatic schematics and safety-circuit design.
- Advanced proficiency in PLC ladder logic, structured text, and program execution.
- Solid robot programming across at least one major OEM; able to adjust paths and optimize cycle time.
- Builds and applies cell simulations to check collision risks, estimate cycle times, and correlate results with shop-floorperformance.
- Competent with motion control (VFDs, servos, auxiliary robot axes).
- Able to validate hard-wired and programmable safety to RIA/ANSI standards.
- Experienced in HMI design across common environments (e.g., FactoryTalk View, Ignition).
**Leadership: **Provides informal leadership through mentoring, code reviews, and example-setting; may act as technical lead on small project teams.
Communication: Excellent communicator with project teams, cross-functional stakeholders, customers, suppliers, and juniorengineers, translating technical details into clear, actionable information.
Problem-Solving: Recognized “go-to” troubleshooter in wiring, controls theory, program execution, and robotics; leveragesdata to drive solutions.
Teamwork: Sets the tone for collaboration—shares knowledge freely, steps in during crunch periods, and reinforces a cultureof mutual support.
Reliability: Consistently meets deadlines, delivers thorough hand-offs, and upholds quality & safety standards without close supervision.
Estimated Total Compensation:$100,000-$125,000
**Benefits: **Axis offers a comprehensive benefits package to our employees with immediate eligibility upon hire.
You should be proficient in:
Machines & technologies you'll use: