Senior Controls Engineer (51190)

Gradian Thermal Solutions•Maple Grove, MN

44d•$100,000 - $140,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Senior Controls Engineer serves as the technical authority for controls architecture, design execution, and lifecycle support for MAS HVAC’s liquid cooling and air movement products. This role owns end-to-end delivery of complex controls solutions—from requirements definition and risk assessment through detailed design, validation, commissioning support, and field issue resolution—while ensuring compliance with applicable codes and standards. The Senior Controls Engineer partners with product engineering, manufacturing, quality, and sales to set technical direction, improve engineering processes, and scale reusable platforms. Success in this role requires expert-level troubleshooting, strong system-level thinking, and the ability to mentor engineers/technicians and influence stakeholders without direct authority.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related field.
5+ years of progressive controls engineering experience (OEM, industrial equipment, HVAC/datacenter infrastructure, or similar), including ownership of complete system deliveries.
Expert ability to design control systems across the full lifecycle (requirements, architecture, detailed design, implementation, validation, commissioning support, sustainment) with disciplined engineering practices (design reviews, documentation, and change control).
Strong industrial networking background (e.g., Ethernet/IP, Modbus TCP/RTU, BACnet) including network architecture, addressing, diagnostics, and interoperability with third-party devices.
Ability to lead complex troubleshooting and root-cause analysis across controls, instrumentation, electrical/power, and system interactions; drive corrective/preventive actions and communicate tradeoffs.
Demonstrated ability to influence cross-functional stakeholders and interface directly with customers (technical clarifications, submittal reviews, commissioning/field support) with clear written and verbal communication.
Proven capability to lead multiple concurrent projects, estimate effort, identify technical risks early, and drive plans to closure while maintaining schedule and cost commitments.

Nice To Haves

Hands-on experience with multiple PLC/HMI ecosystems and structured programming practices (e.g., Rockwell/Studio 5000, Siemens TIA Portal, Schneider, Codesys, Beckhoff, Distech), plus version control and code review workflows.

Responsibilities

Own the controls technical scope for assigned programs, translating customer and product requirements into robust control architectures (hardware, software, networking, safety, and cybersecurity considerations).
Define and maintain platform standards (preferred PLC/HMI families, I/O and panel design conventions, network topology, device naming, alarm philosophy, and code libraries) to enable reuse and reduce total cost of ownership.
Lead detailed design and implementation: controls narratives, sequence of operations, control panel architecture, BOM selections, and PLC/HMI/SCADA software development using structured, version-controlled practices.
Establish verification and validation plans; review and approve test procedures; and lead/guide bench, prototype, and system-level testing to ensure performance, reliability, and maintainability.
Serve as the escalation point for complex troubleshooting (controls, instrumentation, networking, and system interactions), performing root-cause analysis and driving corrective/preventive actions.
Ensure designs meet applicable electrical and safety requirements (e.g., panel standards, safe work practices, and customer/site requirements); participate in design reviews and hazard/risk assessments.
Lead cross-functional technical execution: coordinate with mechanical, refrigeration/thermal, manufacturing, quality, and suppliers; manage technical risks, interfaces, and change control through the project lifecycle.
Own and improve engineering documentation quality (drawings, I/O lists, network diagrams, control narratives, commissioning checklists) and drive process improvements (templates, reviews, lessons learned).
Mentor and technically lead engineers/technicians; contribute to hiring and onboarding; and influence the controls technology roadmap by evaluating emerging tools, components, and architectures.