Senior Controls Engineer

Bradford White•Middleville, MI

97d

About The Position

Bradford White Corporation is seeking a Senior Controls Engineer to lead the automation and control systems that support high-performing manufacturing lines. The role leads Controls Engineers, Controls Engineering Technicians, and Manufacturing Engineering Technicians, with responsibility for technical development, production uptime, product consistency, and process improvement. The Senior Controls Engineer oversees PLC-based controls design, programming, and optimization; supports equipment integration and commissioning; manages controls-related capital projects; and provides hands-on troubleshooting as needed. The role also maintains controls documentation, promotes compliance with safety and engineering standards, provides technical direction to external vendors, and supports equipment build, runoff, and buyoff.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Controls Engineering, or a related field.
10+ years of experience in industrial automation, including at least 5 years in a leadership role.
Expertise in PLC programming, HMI development, industrial networking (such as EtherNet/IP and Profinet), robotics, and other controls-related technologies.
Strong understanding of manufacturing processes, robotics, and motion control systems.
Experience managing capital projects and cross-functional engineering teams.
Excellent problem-solving skills and ability to balance hands-on technical work with strategic leadership.
Collaborative mindset and ability to inspire and develop high-performing teams.
Proficiency in AutoCAD / AutoCAD Electrical.
Experience with servo motors, VFD drives, and motion control.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree.
Experience with Cognex / Keyence vision systems, welding controls, and laser welding.

Responsibilities

Lead and mentor a multidisciplinary team, fostering technical excellence, collaboration, and professional growth.
Oversee the design, programming, and optimization of PLC-based control systems for automated manufacturing equipment.
Drive continuous improvement initiatives using Lean and Six Sigma principles.
Collaborate with production, maintenance, quality, advanced manufacturing engineering, and new product development teams to integrate new equipment and processes into production.
Manage controls-related capital projects from concept through commissioning, ensuring on-time and on-budget delivery.
Troubleshoot complex automation issues and provide hands-on support to minimize downtime.
Maintain and enforce controls documentation, including electrical schematics, software backups, and change management records.
Champion compliance with safety standards, electrical codes, and engineering guidelines.
Design and troubleshoot electrical controls systems.
Design, construct, integrate, install, launch, and continuously improve manufacturing equipment and tools.
Provide technical direction to and oversight of outside vendor sources.
Support equipment build, runoff, and buyoff processes.