Senior Controls Engineer
About The Position
As a Controls Engineer at Alkar, you’ll design the latest automation control systems while collaborating across engineering, manufacturing, and field service. We’re looking for someone who has a strong technical background and versatility who can shift gears when priorities change, help others, and grow alongside a company that’s still innovating after 100+ years. ALKAR combines the stability of a 100-year-old equipment manufacturer with a genuine opportunity to help modernize how complex control systems are designed, programmed, tested, and commissioned. This is not a maintenance-only or narrowly defined programming position. Your work will be visible in large, custom machines that move from concept to fabrication, factory testing, installation, and production.
Requirements
- Typically 7+ years of experience designing and programming industrial control systems for automated machinery, OEM equipment, or systems-integration projects. Exceptional demonstrated capability may substitute for years of experience.
- Strong proficiency with Rockwell/Allen-Bradley PLC and HMI platforms; Siemens experience is beneficial but not required.
- Demonstrated ability to independently develop, debug, and commission complete control systems—not only modify existing programs.
- Strong understanding of industrial networks and communication protocols, particularly EtherNet/IP.
- Experience with process control, VFDs, servo motion, safety PLCs, instrumentation, and multi-system integration.
- Ability to read, create, and review electrical schematics and technical controls documentation.
- Ability to manage several active projects while communicating priorities, risks, and technical decisions clearly.
- Bachelor’s or Associate’s degree in an engineering-related discipline, or equivalent technical training and experience.
- Commitment to safe design, reliable execution, quality, and doing the work correctly—not simply getting it done quickly.
Nice To Haves
- Familiarity with servo motion control, multi-system integration, and OT networking is a plus.
Responsibilities
- Lead the controls scope for complex equipment projects from initial requirements and system architecture through programming, testing, commissioning, and customer acceptance.
- Design and program PLC and HMI applications using Rockwell Automation platforms, including ControlLogix/CompactLogix, Studio 5000, and FactoryTalk View.
- Develop clear, maintainable control strategies for process systems, sequencing, PID loops, drives, motion, instrumentation, machine safety, and equipment integration.
- Translate customer specifications and internal requirements into defined controls deliverables, functional descriptions, I/O requirements, and test plans.
- Serve as a senior technical resource for difficult troubleshooting, root-cause investigation, and resolution of controls issues in the factory, remotely, and at customer sites.
- Review electrical schematics, panel designs, controls documentation, and code for safety, accuracy, maintainability, and compliance with project requirements.
- Improve programming standards, reusable code, system architecture, version control, documentation, and commissioning practices across the Controls team.
- Provide technical guidance and mentorship to controls engineers, electrical designers, technicians, manufacturing personnel, and field-service personnel.
- Work closely with Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing, Project Management, and Field Service to identify risks early and deliver complete, reliable systems.
- Support customer startups and commissioning, with travel generally limited to up to 10%.
Benefits
- Investment and modernization — Join a company actively investing in its people, equipment, engineering capability, and manufacturing technology.
- Flexible scheduling — We provide reasonable flexibility in work hours while maintaining the collaboration needed to support projects and factory testing.
- Stability with meaningful work — Our equipment supports food producers around the world, and long employee tenures are common throughout ALKAR.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
Education Level
Associate degree
