What are the responsibilities and job description for the Senior Electrical Engineer position at Kirk-Rudy, Inc.?
Principal Electrical Engineer - Kirk-Rudy, Inc.
Onsite | Woodstock, GA
Full-Time | Senior-Level (10-15 Years Experience)
Full-Time | Senior-Level (10-15 Years Experience)
About Kirk-Rudy, Inc.
For over four decades, Kirk-Rudy, Inc. has been a leader in the design and manufacture of robust industrial print and packaging systems. Based in Woodstock, Georgia, we are a family-owned and vertically integrated company, handling everything in-house—from concept to machining, assembly, and programming. Our reputation is built on quality, innovation, and hands-on craftsmanship, and our solutions serve a global client base across multiple industries.
We’re not just building machines—we solve real-world challenges with custom automation and engineering excellence.
Position Overview:
As a Principal Electrical Engineer at Kirk-Rudy, Inc., you will lead the design, development, and optimization of devices, equipment, and control systems for light industrial machinery, driving measurable improvements in product performance and production efficiency. You will implement engineering initiatives that reduce costs, improve yield, and accelerate time-to-market. By providing technical leadership and managing cross-functional teams, you will ensure projects are delivered on schedule and meet quality standards. Leveraging your multi-industry experience, you will mentor and develop junior engineers, establish the technological direction of the Electrical Engineering Department, and drive innovation that enhances operational excellence and supports strategic business objectives.
Key Responsibilities:
- Design and Development:
- Own and define electrical and controls architecture across machine platforms, ensuring scalability, reliability, and maintainability
- Lead the design, prototyping, and production of next-generation automation systems from concept through deployment
- Establish and enforce engineering best practices, including PLC structure, motion control strategies, and safety design
- Leadership and Team Management:
- Serve as the final technical decision-maker on complex or high-impact engineering challenges.
- Lead electrical engineering projects by guiding and mentoring engineers and production teams.
- Foster a collaborative environment that prioritizes productive discussion, open communication, and constructive problem-solving to ensure alignment with project goals and successful outcomes.
- Cost Reduction and Process Optimization:
- Lead initiatives to reduce production costs by improving unit manufacturing costs, increasing yield rates, and streamlining workflows through the implementation of standardized electrical architecture across machinery.
- Drive continuous improvement by identifying operational inefficiencies and implementing solutions that enhance production speed, reduce errors, and optimize overall cost efficiency.
- Collaboration:
- Work closely with product development, manufacturing, and quality assurance teams to integrate new designs into production.
- Provide leadership in troubleshooting and resolving complex system issues, ensuring all systems are fully functional and aligned with operational requirements.
- Strategic Planning and Execution:
- Define project scopes, timelines, and resources while managing expectations across multiple stakeholders.
- Track project progress, adjust plans as needed, and ensure deadlines are met while maintaining high engineering standards.
- Documentation and Process Standardization:
- Develop and maintain comprehensive documentation on system architectures, design specifications, and testing protocols.
- Standardize procedures to ensure repeatable and consistent results across projects.
- Training and Development:
- Lead the training and development efforts for new engineering solutions, ensuring internal teams are well-versed in new technologies and processes.
- Develop training materials and, when necessary, provide on-site support to ensure the successful adoption of new systems.
- Troubleshooting and System Integration:
- Identify bottlenecks and system inefficiencies, leading efforts to troubleshoot and resolve issues quickly and effectively.
- Act as a key decision-maker when problems arise, ensuring minimal downtime and impact on production timelines.
Qualifications:
- 10–15 years of experience in industrial automation, electrical systems, or related fields, with demonstrated ownership of system architecture and technical leadership across multiple projects or product lines
- Proven ability to standardize and scale engineering solutions across multiple machines, reducing variability and improving system performance and maintainability
- Extensive experience with PLC programming (IEC 61131-3) and advanced motion control systems
- Strong understanding of machine-level system design, including integration of controls, electrical, mechanical, and safety systems
- Experience leading technical decision-making, balancing performance, cost, maintainability, and delivery timelines
- Proficiency with industrial networking protocols (Ethernet/IP, Modbus, Etc)
- Proficiency with electrical CAD software
- Solid understanding of electrical codes and industrial safety practices
- Strong troubleshooting and technical problem-solving skills
- Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written, with the ability to collaborate effectively in a team environment.
- Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering or related field
Bonus Skills (Nice to Have):
- Master’s degree in electrical engineering
- Professional Engineer (PE) License
- Familiarity with IEC 61131-3 and PLCopen programming standards and structured programming best practices.
- Multi-platform PLC experience (Yaskawa preferred; also Omron, Mitsubishi, IDEC, etc.)
- Competency with Bently Promise E software
- HMI layout experience (e.g. Yaskawa, Red Lion, Maple Systems, smartPanel)
- Experience using ERP and manipulating database entries
- Exposure to Ground bond and Hi Pot testing, preferred
Why Join Kirk-Rudy?
- Affordable healthcare coverage for you and your family
- Competitive compensation and benefits package
- Family-owned and operated with a proven track record of innovation and quality
- Fully vertically integrated — from R&D to production, it’s all in-house
- Hands-on engineering work — be part of the build, not just the plan
- Collaborative team environment where your contributions are recognized
- Custom-built machines for real-world industrial challenges
- Stable and growing company with a global customer base
- Opportunities to learn and grow alongside seasoned engineers
- Located in Woodstock, GA — enjoy a balance of small-town charm and Atlanta-area amenities
Ready to Build What’s Next?
If you're passionate about industrial automation and want to do meaningful engineering work at a company where you’re more than just a number, we want to hear from you.
If you're passionate about industrial automation and want to do meaningful engineering work at a company where you’re more than just a number, we want to hear from you.