Senior Controls Engineer
Location: Washington, MO
Type: Direct Hire | Full-Time | Onsite
Compensation: $110,000–$120,000 annually
Our client, a global leader in industrial manufacturing, is seeking a Senior Controls Engineer to design and improve advanced industrial blasting equipment. This is a hands-on, onsite engineering role for someone who enjoys solving complex automation challenges, building scalable designs, and collaborating across mechanical, electrical, manufacturing, and service teams.
You will lead controls and automation design initiatives while helping develop future standards, improve manufacturing processes, and bring innovative equipment solutions to market.
What You’ll Do
• Design and improve specialized industrial blasting equipment using advanced controls, automation, electrical, and mechanical concepts.
• Program and troubleshoot Allen-Bradley PLCs and HMIs using Rockwell Automation software.
• Develop modular, scalable electrical hardware, mechanical subcomponents, and software designs that improve standardization and reduce time to market.
• Create and maintain 3D designs, drawings, and documentation using Autodesk Inventor, Vault, AutoCAD, and AutoCAD Electrical.
• Serve as a controls and instrumentation subject-matter expert for custom equipment solutions.
• Partner with engineering, manufacturing, sales, and service teams to resolve complex technical issues and support new product development.
• Conduct and facilitate root-cause analysis for manufacturing, assembly, material-flow, capacity, and equipment performance issues.
• Develop process documentation, project plans, and performance metrics that improve design quality, throughput, and department capabilities.
• Integrate electromechanical designs into the SyteLine ERP system to support both product configuration and manufacturing execution.
• Train field service technicians on controls and automation systems, including equipment startup, operation, maintenance, and troubleshooting.
• Support continuous-improvement initiatives through Lean principles, process optimization, standardization, and automation.
• Continue building knowledge in areas such as structural design, power transmission, finite-element analysis, and design for manufacturing and assembly.
• Travel domestically up to 10% as needed.
What You Bring
• Bachelor’s degree in Mechatronics, Automation & Controls, Robotics, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related discipline.
• 3+ years of experience supporting electrical and mechanical engineering projects in a manufacturing, industrial equipment, or automation environment.
• Hands-on experience programming Allen-Bradley PLCs and HMIs.
• Working knowledge of Rockwell Automation tools, including:
o Connected Components Workbench
o Studio 5000 Logix Designer
o Studio 5000 View Designer
o FactoryTalk View Studio
• Experience with electrical, mechanical, pneumatic, and industrial ventilation applications.
• Ability to read and interpret production drawings, electrical schematics, equipment manuals, and technical documentation.
• Strong troubleshooting, root-cause analysis, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Ability to manage priorities independently while communicating project timelines and progress to cross-functional partners.
• Strong communication skills, including the ability to explain technical concepts to employees with varying technical backgrounds.
Preferred Qualifications
• Experience with PlantPAx and/or Machine Builder Library.
• Fanuc robotics experience.
• Experience with Kinetix 5500 servo drive automation.
• Proficiency with Autodesk Inventor, Vault, AutoCAD, and AutoCAD Electrical.
• Familiarity with ERP systems, ideally SyteLine.
• Exposure to Lean manufacturing or continuous-improvement systems.
• Experience designing industrial equipment, automation systems, or custom machinery.
• Knowledge of structural design, power transmission, finite-element analysis, or DFMA principles.
