What are the responsibilities and job description for the Senior Controls Engineer position at Laars Heating Systems Company?
About the Company:
Throughout a history dating back to 1881, Bradford White Corporation has been manufacturing some of the most high-performing, technologically advanced, and energy-saving products to the world market. While many manufacturers continue to move production out of the country, we continue to invest in America.
We are proud to have millions of products installed for millions of satisfied customers all over the world. Our essential products continue to support the health, safety, sanitation, and infrastructure of communities and for 2022 we’ve been recognized as an Energy Star Partner of the Year Sustained Excellence Award Winner for the third straight year.
For the Bradford White family of companies, customer satisfaction is our greatest reward, and we remain steadfast in our commitment to deliver products that are Built to be the Best®. Today, we employ more than 1900 employees with headquarters in suburban Philadelphia and manufacturing operations in Middleville and Niles, Michigan and Rochester, New Hampshire.
Primary Function:
As our Senior Controls Engineer, you’ll be the driving force behind the automation and control systems that keep our manufacturing lines running at peak performance. You’ll lead a talented team of Controls Engineers, Controls Engineering Technicians, and Manufacturing Engineering Technicians — guiding them to solve complex challenges, improve processes, and deliver products that meet the highest standards of quality and efficiency. Your leadership will directly influence production uptime, product consistency, and our ability to innovate faster. Additional tasks and responsibilities include:
Responsibilities:
- Lead and mentor a multi-disciplinary team, fostering technical excellence, collaboration, and professional growth.
- Oversee the design, programming, and optimization of PLC-based control systems (Allen-Bradley) for automated manufacturing equipment.
- Drive continuous improvement initiatives using Lean and Six Sigma principles.
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams (production, maintenance, quality, advanced manufacturing engineering, new product development) to integrate new equipment and processes into production.
- Manage controls-related capital projects from concept through commissioning, ensuring on-time and on-budget delivery.
- Troubleshoot complex automation issues, providing hands-on support when needed to minimize downtime.
- Maintain and enforce controls documentation, including electrical schematics, software backups, and change management records.
- Champion compliance with safety standards, electrical codes, and engineering guidelines.
- Designing and troubleshooting of electrical controls systems.
- Designing, constructing, integrating, installing, successful launch and continuous improvement of manufacturing equipment and tools.
- Providing technical direction to and oversight of outside vendor sources.
- Supporting equipment build/runoff & buyoff process.
Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Controls Engineering, or related field (Master’s a plus).
- 10 years of experience in industrial automation, with at least 5 years in a leadership role.
- Proven expertise in PLC programming, HMI development, and industrial networking (EtherNet/IP, Profinet, etc.), robotics, and other controls related technologies.
- Strong understanding of manufacturing processes, robotics, and motion control systems.
- Experience managing capital projects and cross-functional engineering teams.
- Excellent problem-solving skills, with the ability to balance hands-on technical work and strategic leadership.
- A collaborative mindset and the ability to inspire and develop high-performing teams.
- Proficient in AutoCAD / AutoCAD Electrical
- Experience with servo motors, VFD drive and motion control.
- Experience with Cognex / Keyence vision systems, Welding controls, and Laser welding preferred