Controls Engineer II - Senior Level

Controls Engineer II (Senior) Job Description

Job Title:  Controls Engineer II (Senior)

Reports To:  Engineering Manager

Location: Bridgton, ME

Type of Position:  Full-Time

Status:  Exempt

General Job Description:

Howell Laboratories, Inc. is seeking an experienced Controls Engineer to fill an established senior-level role on our Engineering team. The successful candidate will bring 5 or more years of hands-on controls engineering experience and step in ready to independently lead controls system design, development, testing, and customer support across our packaged system product lines for the U.S. Navy — including seawater chlorination systems, potable water disinfectant generators, and air dehydrator systems.

The Controls Engineer will serve as the technical lead for controls within a collaborative engineering team that includes an Electrical Engineer, Mechanical Engineers, a CAD Designer, and an Engineering Manager. This role requires proven proficiency across the full controls engineering lifecycle — from system architecture and programming through testing, commissioning, and ongoing customer support — with the confidence to operate as the primary controls resource from day one.

Our Legacy

Howell Laboratories, Inc. has delivered mission-critical marine solutions for over six decades. Since becoming employee-owned in 1995, we have leveraged a culture of high productivity to develop cutting-edge air and water treatment systems for the US Navy and Coast Guard. From desiccant dehydrators to electrolytic disinfectant generators, we specialize in solving complex problems with custom-engineered technology built for the sea.

Howell Laboratories and its divisions: ODAT Machine and GDL Powder Coating, is a 100% employee-owned (ESOP) engineering and manufacturing company based in Bridgton and Gorham, ME.  We are committed to providing our knowledge, expertise, and integrity to partners who require solutions on which they can stake their lives and livelihoods. We turn innovation into creation.

Our Values: Ownership, Accountability, Integrity, Feedback, Empathy, Openness

Responsibilities:

As a Controls Engineer, you will independently lead the design, specification, development, and implementation of controls systems for Howell’s Navy product lines, drawing on established expertise to deliver results with limited direction.

Controls System Development

• Design, program, and commission PLC-based control systems for new and existing product lines.
• Develop HMI screens and operator interface programs that meet Navy usability and documentation standards.
• Own the creation and maintenance of electrical schematics, control panel layouts, and I/O documentation to Howell and Navy standards.
• Specify and select instrumentation, sensors, actuators, and control hardware appropriate to marine environments.
• Collaborate with mechanical and systems engineers to integrate controls with overall packaged system designs.

Product Testing & Validation

• Develop and execute test plans and procedures for controls systems during factory acceptance testing (FAT).
• Troubleshoot system faults and anomalies during testing; document findings and implement corrective actions.
• Support site acceptance testing (SAT) aboard naval vessels or at shore-based facilities as required
• Maintain test records, data logs, and calibration documentation in compliance with Navy requirements.
• Participate in design reviews and contribute controls engineering perspectives to product improvement efforts.

Customer & Field Support

• Provide technical support to Navy customers and field personnel for installed equipment.
• Diagnose and resolve controls-related issues remotely via phone and email.
• Prepare and deliver technical documentation, including troubleshooting guides and operator manuals.
• Travel periodically to Navy bases, shipyards, and customer sites to support commissioning, training, or repair activities
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with Navy engineering and maintenance personnel

Professional Development & Technical Leadership

• Serve as the primary controls engineering resource for the company, applying established expertise to drive technical decisions independently
• Develop and maintain internal controls standards, best practices, and documentation to establish a sustainable engineering knowledge base
• Mentor and provide technical guidance to junior engineering staff and cross-functional team members on controls-related topics
• Evaluate emerging controls technologies, platforms, and standards and recommend improvements to Howell’s product designs and engineering processes
• Stay current on applicable Navy standards, MIL-SPEC documentation, and cybersecurity requirements for industrial control systems in defense applications

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Controls Engineering, Mechatronics, or a closely related field
• 5 or more years of professional controls engineering experience, including PLC programming, HMI development, and control panel design
• Proven hands-on experience with industrial control systems, process instrumentation, and automation in a professional engineering environment
• Ability to read and interpret electrical schematics and wiring diagrams
• Strong analytical and troubleshooting skills with a systematic approach to problem-solving
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; ability to document technical work clearly
• Demonstrated ability to lead controls engineering projects independently, manage competing priorities, and deliver results with minimal supervision
• Excellent communication skills.
• Proficiency in MS Office
• Proficiency in CAD software
• Excellent multitasking skills
• Ability to work well in a team environment
• Must be a U.S. Citizen and eligible to obtain a U.S. Government security clearance

Preferred Qualifications

• Direct programming experience with Red Lion, Schneider Electric, or Siemens PLC and HMI platforms in a production or defense environment
• Proficiency with Red Lion HMI/SCADA tools, Schneider Electric EcoStruxure/Unity Pro, or Siemens TIA Portal
• Experience with electrochemical systems, water treatment processes, or fluid handling systems
• Experience with Navy or defense contracting environments, MIL-STD documentation, or NAVSEA standards
• Knowledge of industrial communication protocols (Modbus, Profibus, EtherNet/IP, CANbus)
• Active NICET, ISA (CCST or CAP), or equivalent professional certification
• Experience with CAD tools for electrical schematic development (AutoCAD Electrical, EPLAN, or similar)

Key Competencies:

Successful candidates will demonstrate strength in the following areas:

• Technical Leadership — Ability to serve as the senior controls authority within the organization, making sound design decisions independently, setting standards, and guiding the technical direction of controls systems across product lines
• Advanced Problem Solving — Deep diagnostic expertise across PLC, HMI, instrumentation, and communications systems; ability to resolve complex, multi-system faults efficiently in both lab and field environments
• Attention to Detail — Precision in programming, documentation, wiring verification, and test execution; understanding that errors in control systems can have significant operational consequences
• Cross-Functional Collaboration — Ability to work effectively with electrical, mechanical, and design engineering colleagues, translating controls requirements across disciplines
• Customer Focus — Responsiveness and professionalism when supporting Navy customers and field personnel; ability to communicate technical information clearly to non-controls audiences
• Adaptability — Comfort operating across multiple PLC/HMI platforms and product lines, and willingness to pivot between product development, testing, and customer support as priorities shift
• Technical Communication — Ability to produce clear, accurate documentation including program comments, test records, wiring diagrams, and operator instructions
• Initiative — Proactive identification of system improvements, documentation gaps, or customer needs without waiting to be directed

Physical Requirements:

• Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at times.
• Must be able to access various departments of a given location.