Senior Controls Engineer - San Antonio, Texas

JCB North America•San Antonio, TX

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Senior Controls Engineer – Hydraulics & Electrical will be the technical authority for the integration of control systems that combine hydraulic, electrical, and electronic subsystems across the Aerial Work Platform (AWP) product range. This role is responsible for machine‑level functional control, system logic, safety behaviour, component selection, control architecture, diagnostics, simulation, and validation of both hydraulic and electrical systems. The position will be based at JCB World Headquarters in Rocester, UK until Q1 2027, then will relocate permanently to the new JCB San Antonio, Texas facility to support the establishment of the North American engineering centre.

Requirements

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics, Controls Engineering, or related discipline.
Extensive experience with control systems for Aerial Work Platforms (AWP) or comparable off‑highway mobile machinery.
7+ years of engineering experience working with hydraulic and electrical system integration, embedded control, and machine‑level functionality.
Strong understanding of hydraulic proportional control, flow/pressure regulation, and electro‑hydraulic actuation.
Strong understanding of electrical systems including sensors, controllers, wiring, batteries, CANbus communication, and safety circuits.
Experience with global AWP, electrical, and hydraulic standards (ANSI, CSA, CE, ISO).
Strong diagnostic, analytical, and problem‑solving skills.
Experience with Automation Studio, MATLAB or similar modelling tools for electro‑hydraulic simulation.
Background in prototype builds, commissioning, and control system validation.
Knowledge of DFM, DFA, and manufacturing processes.

Nice To Haves

Experience with NX and Teamcenter.
Professional Engineer (PE) designation or equivalent is beneficial.

Responsibilities

Lead the development of integrated control strategies for hydraulic and electrical systems on boom and scissor AWP platforms.
Define machine control architectures covering sensors, actuators, controllers, CAN networks, logic functions, and safety systems.
Develop and validate control algorithms for proportional valves, motor drives, pumps, stabilising systems, load sensing, and operator interface electronics.
Ensure seamless interaction between hydraulic circuits, electrical components, and embedded software.
Develop models, schematics, block diagrams, and signal maps that link hydraulic behaviour with electronic control functionality.
Work with other engineers to define valve logic, flow control, pressure management, dynamic response, and stability‑related control strategies.
Work with software engineering to define sensor selection, network architectures, connector requirements, and communication protocols.
Ensure machine systems meet safety, performance, efficiency, and regulatory objectives.
Ensure all control systems comply with global AWP requirements under ANSI, CSA, CE, ISO, and relevant electrical and hydraulic safety standards.
Conduct DFMEAs, safety analyses, network robustness assessments, and system functional safety reviews.
Develop software specifications, control logic documentation, and validation plans.
Support troubleshooting, root‑cause analysis, and refinement of machine‑level functional behaviour.
Support prototype machine builds to ensure proper installation, routing, commissioning, and functional bring‑up of controls‑related systems.
Execute validation plans including functional testing, duty‑cycle testing, communication robustness, stability verification, hydraulic response, and fault‑reaction behaviour.
Tune control parameters, calibrate sensors, and verify functional behaviour across full operating envelopes.
Work closely with software, structure, vehicle integration, software, powertrain, and test engineering teams to ensure full system compatibility.
Support NPIP programmes from concept through validation, ensuring control systems meet product performance and safety requirements.
Collaborate with Current Product Engineering on field issues related to system performance, diagnostics, or control responsiveness.
Work with Manufacturing Engineering to ensure designs align with assembly processes, serviceability, and production readiness.
Serve as the senior subject matter expert for machine control systems that bridge hydraulics and electrical domains.
Mentor junior engineers in controls engineering principles, hydraulic‑electrical integration, diagnostics, and safe system design.
Develop design standards, simulation models, diagnostic strategies, and continuous improvement activities for controls systems.