Electrical Controls Engineer

Job Title: Electrical Controls Engineer

Job Location: Midlothian, VA

Job Type: Full-Time (In person)

About Us

We are a leader in inspection and counting systems, delivering innovative automation solutions to the packaging and agricultural industries. Our machines integrate precision mechanics, industrial PC-based control systems, motion control, and advanced machine vision to create high-performance inspection and filling equipment.

We are seeking an Electrical Controls Engineer to design, develop, and support the electrical and control architecture of our industrial PC-controlled machines. This role is ideal for an engineer who understands both electrical system design and computer-based motion control platforms and enjoys working at the intersection of hardware, software, and real-time automation systems.

Key Responsibilities

Electrical System Design:

• Design and develop electrical schematics for industrial automation equipment.
• Specify components including industrial PCs, distributed I/O modules, servo drives, BLDC motors, sensors, safety circuits, and power distribution.
• Develop panel layouts and wiring diagrams using electrical CAD software.
• Design grounding, shielding, and EMI mitigation strategies for PC-based control systems.
• Ensure compliance with UL, CE, CSA, and other applicable standards.
  
  

Controls & Industrial PC Integration

• Design and support industrial PC-based control architectures (no PLC platforms).
• Integrate industrial PCs with distributed I/O and motion systems (EtherCAT or similar fieldbus networks preferred).
• Support real-time communication between PC, motion drives, vision systems, and HMI.
• Collaborate closely with software engineers to optimize hardware selection and system performance.
• Troubleshoot system-level issues including networking, CPU performance, BIOS configuration, drivers, and fieldbus communication.
  
  

Production & Machine Validation

• Work directly with panel builders and production technicians to ensure accurate builds.
• Support machine startup, motion tuning, and electrical validation prior to shipment.
• Participate in Factory Acceptance Tests (FATs) and commissioning support as needed.
• Maintain accurate electrical BOMs and documentation.
  
  

Service & Customer Support

• Assist the service team in diagnosing and resolving customer electrical and controls issues.
• Provide remote technical support for industrial PC systems, motion platforms, and communication networks.
• Support root cause analysis for recurring field issues and implement design improvements.
• Capture lessons learned from field issues and improve platform reliability.
  
  

Continuous Improvement

• Improve electrical design standards and platform consistency across product lines.
• Identify reliability and performance improvements in industrial PC hardware and electrical architecture.
• Support development of scalable electrical platforms for future machine families.
  
  

Qualifications

Required:

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or related field.
• 4 years of experience in industrial automation or machine design.
• Strong background in PC hardware architecture (industrial PCs preferred).
• Experience with distributed I/O systems and industrial Ethernet (EtherCAT preferred).
• Proficiency in electrical CAD software (AutoCAD Electrical, EPLAN, or similar).
• Ability to troubleshoot both electrical hardware and computer-based control systems.
  
  

Preferred

• Experience designing industrial PC-based motion control systems (non-PLC architecture).
• Familiarity with servo drives, BLDC motors, and high-speed motion systems.
• Knowledge of safety circuit design and compliance standards (UL, CE, CSA).
• Experience with packaging, inspection, or machine vision equipment.
  
  

Benefits

• Competitive salary
• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) with company contribution
• Paid time off and holidays
• Career growth and training opportunities