Lead Controls Engineer / PLC Programmer

XNRGY Climate Systems•Mesa, AZ

1d•Onsite

About The Position

XNRGY Climate Systems is seeking a qualified Lead Controls Engineer / PLC Programmer to join its team onsite in Mesa, Arizona. This hands-on leadership role will architect and program mission-critical automation solutions, mentor a growing controls team, and drive innovation in high-performance thermal management applications for our R&D and product lines. The Lead Controls Engineer / PLC Programmer leads the design, development, and deployment of advanced control systems with deep expertise in Siemens platforms. This role delivers PLC-based automation for complex HVAC, compression, and data center applications, provides technical leadership within our Mesa facility, and mentors junior engineers and programmers.

Requirements

Minimum 7 years of progressive experience in controls engineering or PLC programming, with a strong focus on industrial automation, process control, or HVAC systems.
Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Electrical/Electronic Engineering, Computer Science, or related field, OR relevant technologist diploma plus 7+ years of experience and active CET designation.
Advanced proficiency in Siemens PLC programming (TIA Portal, SIMATIC STEP 7, S7-1200/1500, SCL/Structured Text).
Solid experience with industrial communication protocols (Ethernet/IP, Modbus, BACnet, Profinet, TCP/IP).
Proven track record developing HMI/SCADA solutions and database integration.
Strong working knowledge of Windows-based systems, computer networks, and control system cybersecurity best practices.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English; able to clearly articulate technical concepts to technical and non-technical stakeholders.
Demonstrated ability to lead projects, mentor team members, and thrive in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.

Nice To Haves

Experience with Carel pCO systems, Rockwell Studio 5000, National Instruments, or Linux real-time platforms.
Hands-on knowledge of power electronics, variable speed drives, fluid handling equipment, or mission-critical data center infrastructure.
Familiarity with Ignition HMI, LabVIEW, C/C++, or relational databases (MariaDB, MySQL).

Responsibilities

Lead the full lifecycle of control system projects: design, programming, testing, commissioning, and ongoing optimization of PLC-based solutions, primarily on Siemens SIMATIC platforms (TIA Portal, S7-1200/1500 series).
Develop, implement, and troubleshoot advanced control logic using Structured Control Language (SCL) / Structured Text for complex HVAC, compression, and data center applications.
Design and maintain robust HMI/SCADA interfaces and database solutions to deliver real-time visibility and data-driven decision making.
Lead in-house testing, system commissioning, and startup of equipment prior to shipment from the Mesa facility.
Perform hands-on diagnostics and root-cause analysis using industry-standard tools in the lab and on the production floor.
Apply core engineering principles (thermodynamics, heat transfer, fluid mechanics, controls, and power electronics) to optimize system performance, energy efficiency, and reliability.
Collaborate cross-functionally with R&D, mechanical, electrical, and project teams.
Mentor junior engineers and programmers, supporting their technical growth and development.