What are the responsibilities and job description for the Senior Controls Engineer position at The Morse Group?
The Senior Controls Engineer position is based out of our Troy, MI office. This advanced-level position ideal for individuals who thrive in a fast-paced, project-based, and technically diverse environment. This role requires strong technical judgment, effective communication, and the ability to manage changing priorities across multiple projects.
The Senior Controls Engineer is responsible for designing, developing, testing, commissioning, and supporting control systems for automated and semi-automated machines and processes. This individual must be able to work independently, lead controls-related project activities, mentor lower-level engineers, and support customers and internal project teams with minimal oversight.
Company culture is a top priority, emphasizing traits such as being a good listener, helping others, being approachable, and taking ownership of project outcomes.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
- Provide mentorship for lower-level controls engineers by delegating project tasks, reviewing work, and teaching necessary skills
- Organize controls requirements and activities with the project team
- Review controls designs, PLC programs, HMI applications, electrical schematics, and related documentation for accuracy and functionality
- Specify and design control systems for automated and semi-automated machines
- Develop, test, and validate modular, well-documented control software
- Define, develop, and implement PLC programs using major PLC platforms, including Rockwell, Siemens, Omron, and other industrial control platforms
- Develop and implement HMI applications and screens
- Support SCADA and plant-floor integration as required by project scope
- Support Ignition development, integration, and troubleshooting when required by project scope
- Participate in internal project meetings and coordinate controls-related activities with project managers, mechanical engineers, electrical designers, materials personnel, and installation teams
- Coordinate project requirements and technical details directly with customers
- Determine appropriate control system and analytical system integration solutions based on project quotations, budget, customer specifications, and customer data sheets
- Support control panel design, product selection, panel checkout, and system validation
- Test, maintain, troubleshoot, and modify new and existing control systems
- Travel to customer worksites and work independently for field investigation, installation support, commissioning, qualification, and production startup support
- Provide system startup, debug, and production support
- Assist in troubleshooting mechanical, electrical, pneumatic, and controls-related system issues
- Develop operation and maintenance manuals
- Finalize design documentation to represent “as-built” conditions
- Look for opportunities to improve project execution, standardization, and controls engineering practices
CHARACTERISTICS
- Strong verbal and written communication skills
- Able to communicate effectively with customers, vendors, project managers, engineers, trades personnel, and leadership
- Completes tasks accurately and on time with minimal oversight
- Able to manage time, workload, and priorities across multiple project assignments
- Well organized and able to adapt to changing project needs
- Applies sound engineering judgment while considering budget, schedule, safety, and operational performance
- Takes ownership of assigned work and follows through to completion
- Looks for opportunities to improve systems, processes, and project outcomes
- Able to retain lessons learned and apply them across multiple projects and industries
- Willing to do what it takes to support the project team and complete project requirements on time
REQUIREMENTS
- Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or a related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience
- Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related technical field preferred
- Minimum 8 years of controls engineering, automation, or related experience
- Experience designing, programming, commissioning, and supporting automated equipment or process control systems
- Experience with Rockwell, Siemens, Omron, and/or other major PLC platforms
- Experience with automotive controls standards preferred
- Experience with Ignition, SCADA, or plant-floor integration preferred
- Ability to travel to customer worksites for installation support, commissioning, troubleshooting, and startup support as required
- Proficient with Microsoft Office products
- Advanced proficiency with PLC programming using major industrial platforms, including Rockwell, Siemens, Omron, and/or other major PLC platforms
- Experience with major automotive controls standards is strongly preferred, and candidates with this background are encouraged to apply
- Advanced proficiency with HMI development and implementation
- Experience with Ignition is strongly preferred
- Experience with SCADA systems and plant-floor integration preferred
- Ability to read and interpret process diagrams, mechanical drawings, electrical schematics, and control panel layouts
- Strong understanding of automated machine control, process control, and system integration
- Understanding of mechanical, electrical, and pneumatic systems
- Experience with control panel design, product selection, and panel checkout
- Working knowledge of AutoCAD or electrical design software preferred
- Understanding of the National Electrical Code and UL 508A preferred
- Strong troubleshooting and debug skills
- Strong analytical, organizational, verbal, written, and communication skills