Senior Controls Engineer

Valknut • Nashville, TN

15d

About The Position

The Senior Controls Engineer leads the design, development, and implementation of industrial control systems, ensuring compliance with NFPA/NEC standards and customer specifications. The role owns complex automation projects from concept through commissioning and combines electrical design expertise with field execution and motion-control integration.

Working across office and field environments, the engineer drives projects from control-panel design and programming through onsite startup, testing, and optimization. The work supports system reliability, safety, and performance across a range of automation applications. The role also provides technical guidance to junior engineers and technicians. This is a contract role offering an immediate opportunity.

Requirements

• Significant experience as a Controls Engineer with responsibility for the full project lifecycle from design through commissioning.
• Expertise in electrical control-panel design, including schematic development and layout using CAD tools.
• Strong working knowledge of NFPA and NEC standards and the ability to design compliant systems.
• Hands-on experience commissioning, starting up, and troubleshooting industrial control systems in the field.
• Proficiency integrating motion-control and servo systems in automated machinery or processes.
• Experience designing and configuring HMI and SCADA applications, including alarms, trends, and user-interface workflows.
• Ability to read and interpret electrical drawings, P&IDs, and system documentation.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills and the ability to make decisions in fast-paced field environments.
• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Controls Engineering, or a related discipline; an associate degree in a technical field with substantial relevant experience may be considered.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with multiple PLC platforms, such as Rockwell/Allen-Bradley, Siemens, or Schneider.
• Familiarity with industrial communication protocols such as Ethernet/IP, Modbus, Profibus, or Profinet.
• Background in safety circuits and safety PLCs in accordance with relevant standards.
• Experience in packaging, material handling, process, or discrete manufacturing environments.
• Ability to support remote diagnostics and system optimization after installation.
• Professional certifications in industrial automation or controls engineering.
• Formal training in NFPA/NEC or electrical safety standards.

Responsibilities

• Lead electrical control-panel design, including component selection, schematics, and layouts for industrial automation systems.
• Develop and configure PLC, motion-control, and servo-system programs to meet application requirements.
• Design and implement HMI/SCADA systems, including screen development, tag configuration, and data integration.
• Perform field commissioning, startup, and functional testing of control systems at customer sites.
• Diagnose and troubleshoot electrical, controls, and communication issues during installation and operation.
• Collaborate with mechanical, process, and project engineering teams to ensure integrated system performance.
• Create and maintain technical documentation, including I/O lists, panel drawings, functional descriptions, and test procedures.
• Provide technical guidance to junior engineers and technicians during design, build, and commissioning phases.

What This Job Offers

• Career Level: Senior