Control Systems Engineer

Panatrol • Oak Forest, IL

11d • Onsite

About The Position

The Controls Systems Engineer reviews and designs engineered systems for various applications in various facilities. They will be responsible for supporting engineering execution from project kickoff through submittals, fabrication, testing, installation, commissioning, and closeout.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Electrical Engineering Technology, Automation, Controls, Mechatronics, or a related technical field preferred; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• 1-5 years of related experience in electrical controls engineering, industrial automation, control panel design, field service, commissioning, or similar work.
• Working knowledge of motor controls, including starters, MCPs, overloads, drives, Motor Control Centers, contactors, relays, timers, and safety relays.
• Power distribution knowledge: <600VAC 3-phase, 120VAC, 24VDC, step-down transformers, power supplies, grounding, circuit protection, and control power sizing.
• Relay logic knowledge: relay-control circuits, seal-in circuits, permissives, interlocks, contact cross-referencing, relay cross-referencing, and hardwired troubleshooting.
• Logic diagram basics; PLC I/O module drawings, general drawing cross-referencing, field wiring diagrams, and device-level documentation.
• Exposure/Experience to/with PLC programming and troubleshooting; Rockwell/Allen-Bradley experience preferred.
• Exposure/Experience to/with HMI programming or configuration, including screen updates, status/alarm displays, and operator interface testing.
• Exposure/Experience to/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.
• Proficient in MS 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 ability to check work before release.

Responsibilities

• Review customer specifications, drawings, RFIs, submittal comments, and scope documents to verify technical obligations and identify gaps, conflicts, or missing information.
• Support design of 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 circuit breakers, fuses, contactors, starters, overloads, transformers, power supplies, relays, terminal blocks, surge protection, disconnects, VFD accessories, and other panel hardware.
• Prepare and revise electrical schematics, panel layouts, bills of material, wiring diagrams, I/O drawings, network drawings, and related hardware documentation.
• Develop, read, and troubleshoot relay-control circuits and hardwired logic, including seal-in circuits, permissives, interlocks, timers, safety relays, and contact cross-references.
• Support PLC, HMI, and drive programming, including logic updates, HMI screen changes, alarm/status mapping, device configuration, and functional testing.
• Support VFD setup and integration, including control method coordination, parameter review, drive status/alarm interfaces, and PLC/HMI communications.
• Prepare and execute test procedures for shop testing, factory acceptance testing, point-to-point checks, functional checks, alarm checks, and startup verification.
• Compile and maintain project documentation, including submittals, test procedures, operator manuals, owner manuals, maintenance manuals, spare parts lists, and closeout documentation.
• Provide clear technical support to the panel shop, installation electricians, service technicians, project managers, sales, vendors, contractors, and customers.
• Support field investigation, installation, commissioning, troubleshooting, and service activities as needed.
• Perform basic power distribution and control power calculations in support of design, component selection, and system testing.
• Review vendor documentation, coordinate with manufacturers and distributors, and maintain current product knowledge to support accurate design and favorable product quotes.
• Analyze customer and project needs, provide value-added technical input, and identify practical solutions while protecting the company's approved scope of work.
• Escalate technical conflicts, scope gaps, code questions, or customer requests that require senior engineering, project management, or Engineer of Record direction.
• Interpret and apply applicable engineering statutes, standards, and good practices such as UL, NEC, and NFPA 70E within the limits of the assigned role.
• Possess the ability to handle a dynamic, fast-paced workload with minimum supervision while maintaining drawing and documentation accuracy.
• Willingness to travel as needed throughout the continental US.
• Ensure that proper safety and incident reporting procedures are followed, bringing problems to the attention of the Safety Manager.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level