Controls Programmer – C#/.NET

Steven Douglas Corp • Concord Township, PA

13d

About The Position

Steven Douglas Corp. (SDC) designs, engineers, and builds custom automation systems for customers in medical, consumer products, industrial, automotive, solar manufacturing, and other industries. The Controls Programmer will primarily develop software for advanced test and process equipment built for a key customer in the solar manufacturing industry. Most systems are PC-controlled, with the application serving as the primary controller and directly operating sensors, motors, drives, and data acquisition hardware in real time.

The role combines C#/.NET software development with hands-on work involving industrial hardware. The programmer collaborates with controls engineers, technicians, and project managers from design through debugging, runoff, and customer startup, and supports customer implementation with approximately 10% travel. The work includes custom automation projects, equipment deployment and troubleshooting, and ongoing improvement of software libraries and development practices.

Requirements

• At least 5 years of experience designing, developing, and deploying C# Windows applications in a .NET environment.
• Hands-on experience developing applications that interface directly with industrial hardware, such as sensors, motors, drives, data acquisition devices, or instrumentation, on machinery or manufacturing/test equipment.
• Experience building applications where the PC is the primary controller, handling real-time I/O, device communication, and control logic.
• Solid understanding of software fundamentals, including object-oriented design, application architecture, debugging, and version control workflows.
• Comfort working on the plant floor alongside engineers and technicians to understand machine behavior and translate it into usable software.
• Ability to use AI tools and code generation efficiently while maintaining responsibility for all output.
• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Electrical/Computer Engineering, or equivalent hands-on experience.
• Professionalism, integrity, accountability, respect, open communication, ownership, adaptability, attention to detail, dependability, and a team-first attitude.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with SQL or other databases for storing and retrieving machine or process data.
• Experience with GitHub or other source control platforms.
• Working knowledge of Python for scripting, data processing, or test automation.
• Experience with industrial controls platforms such as Allen-Bradley PLCs, HMIs, Ignition, robotics, or machine vision systems.
• Ability to read and understand electrical schematics.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, test, and deploy C# Windows applications for industrial machinery that interface directly with sensors, motors, drives, data acquisition devices, and other controls hardware.
• Build and support applications in which the PC is the primary controller, managing real-time I/O and device communication.
• Work with controls engineers to understand machine behavior, hardware interfaces, and operator workflows, and translate them into maintainable software.
• Support software deployment and troubleshooting during machine debug, runoff, and customer Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT).
• Maintain and improve existing software tools and code libraries using sound source control and documentation practices.
• Collaborate with the controls team to identify opportunities for custom software to improve machine reliability, data visibility, and troubleshooting speed.
• Travel approximately 10% to support customer startups and project implementation.
• Communicate with engineers, technicians, and project teams about software functionality and purpose.
• Continuously improve code libraries, tools, and development practices.

Benefits

• Competitive salary based on experience.
• Performance-based incentive opportunities.
• 100% employer-paid medical, dental, and vision insurance, with supplemental coverage options.
• Company-sponsored Health Savings Account (HSA).
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
• 401(k) with a 4% employer match per pay period.
• Paid vacation and sick leave.
• 10 company-paid holidays.
• Professional development and career growth opportunities.

What This Job Offers

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