Chief Applications Engineer (BCI)

Looking for more than just a job? MKD Electric offers rewarding careers! We provide excellent benefits, training, educational opportunities, and promote from within the company.

For over twenty years, MKD Electric has designed, built, installed, and maintained our clients’ systems, projects, and facilities with a wide range of service offerings.  We focus on safety, value, and quality as well as building and maintaining lasting relationships with a variety of national clients in renewables, data centers, oil and gas, food and beverage, manufacturing, chemical, and pharmaceutical fields.

In 2022 we partnered with Bachelor Controls, Inc (BCI), a Sabetha KS based provider of mission critical control and system integration solutions for Fortune 500 clients, primarily in the food and beverage, pet food and specialty pharmaceutical industries. BCI has been providing control systems integration solutions to manufacturing plants for 40 years, helping clients achieve optimal production efficiency along with cutting-edge production automation.

The BCI team is seeking a best-in-class Chief Applications Engineer, willing to roll up their sleeves and exude a passion for the field!

As part of this role, the Chief Applications Engineer, will oversee the planning, design, and execution of batch‑integration projects. They will lead a team of engineers and field specialists to deliver turnkey control‑system applications—ensuring projects meet technical requirements, stay within budget, and hit schedule milestones.

What you'll do...

• Project Leadership & Planning
  • Establish project objectives, scope, schedules, and budgets in line with corporate policies
  • Develop clear work statements and project plans for the field
  • Direct pre‑construction planning: task scoping, scheduling, and risk mitigation
• Team & Resource Management
  • Supervise and mentor Project Managers, control specialists, engineers, and installers
  • Procure and coordinate materials, equipment, and subcontractors to maximize profitability
  • Build high‑performing teams, set performance standards, and drive accountability
• Technical Execution & Field Services
  • Read, review, and follow blueprints, drawings, and sequence‑of‑operations for batch systems
  • Oversee installation of control panels, PLC/HMI applications, and system commissioning
  • Provide on‑site start‑up services, troubleshoot complex issues, and ensure customer satisfaction
• Financial & Customer Management
  • Monitor project costs, prepare monthly cost reports and react to budget variances
  • Manage billing, progress invoicing and rental-equipment expenses
  • Maintain strong client relationships, investigate concerns, implement corrective actions and communicate proactively
• Continuous Improvement
  • Establish best practices, policies and PM methodologies for batch-integration projects
  • Lead post-project reviews and implement lessons learned to enhance processes and quality

What you'll need to succeed...

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, Construction Management, or related field (or equivalent experience)
• 10 years of project‑management experience in controls, automation, or critical‑facilities operations
• 3 Years of experience leading complex automation projects
• Experience with various Industrial Automation software (e.g., Modbus, Allen Bradley, Siemens) preferred
• Team leadership experience in a fast-paced environment
• Strong batch-integration and/or systems-integration project management experience
• Proven track record managing complex, batch‑integration or systems‑integration projects
• Strong ability to read and interpret mechanical and electrical drawings
• Excellent communication, presentation, and technical‑writing skills
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
• Valid U.S. driver’s license; ability to travel and work outside normal business hours
• Ability to lift and transport up to 60 lbs, stand for extended periods, and work in varied environments

Physical demands…

The physical demands described within 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
• Must be able to lift to 20-30 pounds independently; lifting from knee to shoulder heights; other lifting required from various levels
• Must be able to remain stationary position for extended periods of time, prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer

What you’ll love about us…

MKD & BCI employees are our companies’ greatest assets. To ensure employees are living life to the fullest we offer a wide range of benefits to ensure a well-balanced and healthy lifestyle in the office and at home. From mental wellbeing, physical health, and financial planning, to engaging perks and discounts, we are in the business of celebrating and supporting all the moments that matter. Along with flexible vacation, and parental leave, we prioritize initiatives that support the growth, development, and happiness of our people.

• On the job training with fully accredited training programs
• Eligibility to Medical, Dental, and Vision benefits and 401K with company match
• Access to opportunities to expand your skill set and share your knowledge with others across the organization
• Company culture of promotions from within, with a start-up atmosphere allowing for varied and rapid career growth & development

This role is not eligible for visa sponsorship

MKD Electric & BCI are equal employment opportunity employers. All applicants receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, national origin, age, mental or physical disability, protected veteran status, or genetic information, or any other basis protected by applicable law. MKD Electric also prohibits harassment of applicants or employees based upon any of these protected categories.

Please note this job description is a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.