What are the responsibilities and job description for the Senior Controls Engineer position at Miller Resource Group?
Senior Controls Engineer
Department: Engineering
Summary of Role: The Senior Controls Engineer position serves as a technical leader in designing, developing, and implementing sophisticated control systems for our custom automation equipment. This role takes significant ownership of projects from conceptual development through implementation, providing technical guidance and mentorship to other team members. The Senior Controls Engineer possesses advanced expertise in control systems integration, demonstrating mastery of PLC/HMI programming and the ability to lead complex automation projects independently while ensuring alignment with customer specifications, budget constraints, safety, and quality standards.
Key Responsibilities:
- Lead initial equipment conceptual development, balancing product specifications, process requirements, layout complexity, cost, and lead-time constraints
- Architect and define comprehensive controls/software topology for complex projects
- Provide technical leadership in software development across various platforms including PLC, HMI, robotics, relational databases, and vision systems
- Lead the generation of project documentation including functional specifications, electrical/pneumatic drawings, BOMs, and manuals
- Work with project teams to ensure successful delivery within budget and schedule parameters
- Develop advanced PLC code with superior organization, structure, documentation, maintainability, and reusability for manufacturing applications
- Design sophisticated HMI interfaces for complex machinery that provide comprehensive feedback for troubleshooting
- Create robust robot and/or vision applications tailored to specific project requirements
- Direct startup and debug efforts when deploying automated processes and equipment into production
- Lead design and implementation of advanced functional safety systems in accordance with industry consensus standards to meet OSHA regulations for safeguarding industrial automation systems
- Oversee and manage electrical control panel builds, field wiring, and pneumatic/fluid plumbing
- Collaborate with customers to optimize automation systems for maximum OEE performance
- Mentor junior engineers and promote teamwork throughout the organization
Skills & Proficiencies:
- Expert knowledge of PLC programming (especially Allen Bradley platforms)
- Advanced HMI development and interface design skills
- Ability to lead creation of electrical and pneumatic schematics and drawing packages
- Comprehensive understanding of industrial machinery standards (OSHA, NFPA79, NEC, UL508A, ANSI consensus standards)
- Proficiency with robot programming and/or vision systems
- Superior analytical and problem-solving abilities
- Excellent project management and organizational skills
- Outstanding verbal and written communication
- Ability to effectively interface with various levels of personnel, including senior customer representatives
- Advanced knowledge of control system safety standards and implementation
- Attention to detail and commitment to quality
- Ability to mentor and develop junior engineers
Minimum Qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree in engineering, mathematics, physical sciences, or other technical field
- 5 years of experience in industrial automation or control system integration
- Demonstrated expertise in most to all technical aspects related to control system integration
- Advanced understanding of PLC/HMI programming
- Comprehensive understanding of engineering principles, theories, and concepts
- Ability to work both independently and as part of a team, often in leadership roles
- Language Skills: Must be able to communicate effectively in English. Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. Ability to speak effectively before groups of customers or employees of the organization.
Location and Environment:
- Hybrid (Office/Remote/Customer Sites)
- Office Location: La Vergne, TN
Physical Demands: May be required to perform the following Physical Activity: Sitting and/or standing for long periods of time, walking long distances, using hands, handle or feel, reach with hands and arms, climb or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl, talk or hear, taster or smell. May be required to lift up to 50 lbs.; group lifting of up to 100 lbs.
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Travel Requirements: 25-40% travel, primarily domestic to customer sites for implementation, startup, and debug activities; occasional international travel may be required
Employment Type: Full-Time