Controls Systems Engineer

Panatrol is seeking a Controls Systems Engineer to review and design industrial control solutions across multiple facilities, supporting projects from kickoff through commissioning and closeout.

Responsibilities

• Assess customer specifications, drawings, RFIs, submittal comments, and scope documents to verify obligations and identify gaps, conflicts, or missing information.
• Assist in designing industrial control systems, including control panels, motor controls, PLC I/O, HMI interfaces, VFDs, instrumentation, networked devices, and field wiring.
• Select and size electrical components such as breakers, fuses, contactors, starters, overloads, transformers, power supplies, relays, terminal blocks, surge protection, disconnects, VFD accessories, and related panel hardware.
• Prepare and revise electrical schematics, panel layouts, bills of material, wiring diagrams, I/O drawings, network diagrams, and associated hardware documentation.
• Develop, read, and troubleshoot relay-control circuits and hardwired logic, including seal-in circuits, permissives, interlocks, timers, safety relays, and cross-referenced contacts.
• Support PLC, HMI, and drive programming, including logic updates, HMI screen changes, alarm/status mapping, device configuration, and functional testing.
• Assist with VFD setup and integration, coordinating control methods, reviewing parameters, and ensuring PLC/HMI communications and interfaces are correct.
• Prepare and execute test procedures for shop testing, factory acceptance testing, point-to-point checks, functional tests, alarm verifications, and startup validation.
• Compile and maintain project documentation such as submittals, test procedures, operator and owner manuals, maintenance manuals, spare parts lists, and closeout records.
• Provide clear technical support to panel shops, installation electricians, service technicians, project managers, sales teams, vendors, contractors, and customers.
• Support field investigation, installation, commissioning, troubleshooting, and service activities as needed.
• Perform basic power distribution and control power calculations to aid design, component selection, and system testing.
• Review vendor documentation, coordinate with manufacturers and distributors, and maintain up-to-date product knowledge to support accurate designs and favorable quotes.
• Analyze project needs, offer value-added technical input, and propose practical solutions while safeguarding the approved scope of work.
• Escalate technical conflicts, scope gaps, code questions, or customer requests requiring senior engineering, project management, or Engineer of Record direction.
• Interpret and apply applicable standards and practices including UL, NEC, and NFPA 70E within the assigned role.
• Handle a dynamic, fast-paced workload with minimal supervision while maintaining drawing and documentation accuracy.
• Travel as needed across the continental US.
• Adhere to safety and incident reporting procedures, bringing issues to the Safety Manager's attention.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Electrical Engineering Technology, Automation, Controls, Mechatronics, or a related technical field preferred; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• 1 to 5 years of related experience in electrical controls engineering, industrial automation, control panel design, field service, commissioning, or similar roles.
• Working knowledge of motor controls including starters, MCPs, overloads, drives, MCCs, contactors, relays, timers, and safety relays.
• Power distribution knowledge for <600VAC 3-phase, 120VAC, 24VDC, step-down transformers, power supplies, grounding, circuit protection, and control power sizing.
• Relay logic proficiency with relay-control circuits, seal-in circuits, permissives, interlocks, cross-referencing, and hardwired troubleshooting.
• Understanding of logic diagrams; PLC I/O module drawings, general drawing cross-references, field wiring diagrams, and device-level documentation.
• Experience with PLC programming and troubleshooting; Rockwell/Allen-Bradley experience preferred.
• Exposure to HMI programming or configuration, including screen updates, status/alarm displays, and operator interface testing.
• Experience with VFD setup and integration, including parameter review, control wiring, drive communications, and motor-control troubleshooting.
• Experience preparing or supporting submittals, test procedures, operator manuals, owner manuals, O&M documentation, and closeout packages.
• Ability to read customer specifications, vendor manuals, electrical schematics, mechanical interface drawings, and installation details.
• Familiarity with AutoCAD Electrical, EPLAN, or similar electrical CAD tools preferred.
• Familiarity with UL 508A, NEC, NFPA 70E, and industrial control panel construction practices preferred.
• Proficiency with MS Office suite.
• Ability to travel overnight if required.
• Effective communication skills with sales, service, customers, vendors, electricians, and internal project teams.
• Strong attention to detail and the ability to verify work prior to release.

Technologies

• AutoCAD Electrical
• EPLAN
• Rockwell/Allen-Bradley PLC
• MS Suite

Work Environment and Physical Requirements

• Regularly sit, use hands to operate, and communicate verbally.
• Capability to lift and move up to 25 pounds.
• Vision requirements include close, distance, color, peripheral, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.