Electrical Controls Engineer (Level I-III) - CCI/Speer

The Kinetic Group•Lewiston, ID

13d•Onsite

About The Position

CCI/SPEER is seeking an Electrical Controls Engineer to join the team. In this role, you will be responsible for developing, implementing, and supporting technology to improve equipment, processes, and products. This is accomplished through design requirements, specifications, drawings, procurement of necessary materials and services, and coordination of installation and training for systems including new automation solutions. You will provide expertise in programming and designing industrial controls and interfaces for new and existing equipment and processes. Effectively communicate with team members at all levels of the organization to improve our workplace, manufacturing performance, and customer experience. This position may be filled at the Engineer I, II, or III level based on education, experience, and demonstrated technical capability. Equivalent combinations of education, technical training, apprenticeship experience, licensure, military experience, certifications, and directly related controls/automation experience will be considered. This position reports to the Manufacturing Engineering Manager and will be based out of our Lewiston, Idaho office.

Requirements

Engineer I: Associate's Degree (AAS) in a related technical discipline with 4-10 years of relevant controls, automation, or manufacturing experience; or Journeyman Electrician license with 4-10 years of relevant industrial controls experience.
Internship, co-op, project, apprenticeship, or early-career experience with automation, controls, manufacturing equipment, or industrial systems.
Equivalent combinations of education, technical training, apprenticeship experience, licensure, military experience, certifications, and directly related controls/automation experience will be considered.
Foundational understanding of PLC programming, HMIs, electrical schematics, and industrial control systems.
Strong troubleshooting aptitude and desire to learn.
Engineer II: Bachelor's degree in a related engineering field with 2-6 years of relevant experience; or entry-level Master's degree; or Associate's Degree (AAS) with 5-15 years of electrical controls, automation, or manufacturing experience; or Journeyman Electrician license with 15+ years of relevant experience.
3+ years of experience supporting automated manufacturing systems and industrial controls.
Working knowledge of PLC programming, HMI development, industrial networking, and equipment troubleshooting.
Experience designing, implementing, or improving control systems and automation solutions with limited supervision.
Demonstrated ability to identify root causes of equipment and process issues and implement sustainable corrective actions.
Engineer III: Bachelor's degree in a related engineering field with 4-10 years of relevant experience; or Master's degree with 2-6 years of relevant experience; or Associate's Degree (AAS) with 15+ years of electrical controls and automation experience; or Journeyman Electrician license with 15+ years of relevant experience.
5+ years of experience designing, implementing, and supporting automated manufacturing solutions.
Advanced experience with PLC programming, controls architecture, automation troubleshooting, project leadership, and manufacturing process optimization.
Proven ability to lead complex automation projects, mentor engineers and technicians, and serve as a technical resource for electrical controls systems.
Demonstrated track record of driving root-cause problem solving, equipment reliability improvements, and manufacturing performance gains.

Nice To Haves

Experience with Allen-Bradley, Omron, Siemens, or similar PLC platforms.
Experience with robotics, servo motion systems, machine vision, and automated inspection systems.
Familiarity with industrial communication protocols such as EtherNet/IP, TCP/IP, OPC UA, and Modbus.
Experience with AutoCAD Electrical, SCADA systems, and manufacturing data systems.
Knowledge of machine safety principles, FMEA, risk assessments, and manufacturing compliance requirements.
Experience in high-volume manufacturing, ammunition, automotive, metals, consumer products, or other industrial environments.
Curiosity and persistence in diagnosing complex equipment issues and identifying true root causes.
Integration experience between manufacturing equipment and MES, SQL, ERP, or cloud-based systems.
Experience with AI-enabled vision systems and advanced inspection technologies.
Experience leading automation modernization initiatives and capital projects.
Experience supporting multiple manufacturing facilities or enterprise-wide automation strategies.
Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, or continuous improvement experience.

Responsibilities

Support the design, development, implementation, and continuous improvement of automated manufacturing systems.
Design, program, troubleshoot, and commission PLC-based control systems using platforms such as Allen-Bradley, Omron, or similar technologies.
Develop and maintain HMI and operator interface systems to improve equipment usability and diagnostics.
Assist with or lead automation projects involving robotics, vision systems, servo motion, industrial networking, and process controls based on experience level.
Design, implement, maintain, and improve electrical instruments, equipment, facilities, and systems within the manufacturing environment.
Participate in capital projects including concept development, design, procurement, installation, startup, and project validation.
Troubleshoot equipment and process issues using a structured root cause problem-solving approach, identifying underlying causes rather than simply replacing components.
Collaborate with operations, maintenance, engineering, quality, and IT teams to develop practical and scalable manufacturing solutions.
Support integration of machine data into manufacturing and business systems for improved reporting, traceability, and decision making.
Ensure compliance with applicable electrical, safety, and regulatory standards including NEC, OSHA, and machine safety requirements.
Create and maintain technical documentation, drawings, standards, and training materials.
Provide technical guidance and mentorship to team members as experience level and business needs dictate.