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Senior Controls Engineer

Reports To: Director of Controls Engineering
Position Type: Full-Time | Exempt
Travel: Up to 30%

Company Overview

We are a global supply chain services firm dedicated to helping clients achieve supply chain excellence and profitable growth. With more than 45 years of industry experience, we combine expertise across strategy, commerce, logistics, and technology to deliver integrated supply chain consulting and material handling solutions.

Our Material Handling Integration team is responsible for the design, specification, implementation, and commissioning of material handling systems for customers across a range of industries.

Job Summary

The Senior Controls Engineer will be responsible for the design, development, programming, implementation, testing, and commissioning of controls systems for large-scale material handling and automation projects.

This role will lead PLC and HMI programming activities, develop controls and communication architectures, and provide technical leadership throughout the project lifecycle. The position will work closely with Electrical Engineers, System Architects, Application Engineers, Mechanical Engineers, Software Engineers, subcontractors, and Project Managers to ensure projects are delivered safely, on time, and within budget.

The ideal candidate will have strong hands-on experience with PLC and HMI programming, industrial Ethernet communications, VFDs, scanners, scales, MDR, I/O systems, and electrical/PLC safety circuits, along with the ability to lead large-scale controls projects and onsite commissioning activities.

Key ResponsibilitiesControls & Electrical Engineering

Lead the development and programming of large-scale PLC projects.

Provide technical leadership and guidance to other Controls Engineers.

Design controls and communication architectures, including PLCs, I/O distribution, and Ethernet communications.

Develop PLC and HMI programs for material handling and automation systems.

Program and integrate devices including conveyor systems, MDR, VFDs, scanners, scales, printers, and other automation equipment.

Configure and commission industrial Ethernet networks and connected devices.

Configure and commission electrical and PLC safety circuits.

Provide controls and electrical engineering support to internal teams, customers, vendors, and subcontractors.

Support and coordinate with the Electrical Design team.

Prepare Requests for Proposal (RFPs) to support vendor quoting and selection.

Project Implementation & Commissioning

Lead onsite project implementation, testing, troubleshooting, and commissioning activities.

Support the full project lifecycle from controls design and programming through installation, testing, startup, and customer handover.

Coordinate closely with Electrical, Mechanical, Software, Applications, Engineering, and Project Management teams.

Troubleshoot controls, electrical, communication, and equipment-related issues during project implementation.

Ensure projects are completed on schedule and within budget.

Travel to customer sites as required, averaging up to 30%.

Documentation & Communication

Create, organize, maintain, and properly archive PLC, HMI, and other controls programs and configurations.

Produce clear and professional technical documentation.

Communicate effectively with internal teams, customers, vendors, subcontractors, and

Proactive Global is committed to equality in the workplace and is an equal opportunity employer.
Proactive Global is acting as an Employment Business in relation to this vacancy.

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Key responsibilities:

Collaborate with cross-functional teams to develop control system architectures for Material Handling equipment and robotic applications  Design, program, and troubleshoot PLCs (Programmable Logic Controllers), HMIs (Human-Machine Interfaces), and motion control systems  Develop and optimize control algorithms for robotic movements, safety features, and precision tasks  Integrate sensors, actuators, and communication protocols to enhance robotic performance  Conduct system testing, validation, and commissioning to ensure reliable and efficient operation  Provide technical support to field service teams during installation and maintenance  Stay up to date with industry trends, emerging technologies, and best practices in controls engineering  Complete the commissioning of complex systems that integrate hardware and software  Experience in understanding schematics and control panels, translating conceptual designs into practical engineering solutions  Provide recommendations for productivity improvement, cost reduction, and enhanced customer satisfaction  Utilizes best practices in writing PLC programs   Generate recommendations for productivity improvement, cost reduction, and enhanced customer satisfaction  Guide overly complex technical interchange and knowledge transfer related to system design and product application  Apply advanced skills to resolve complex problems not covered by existing procedures or practices independently, including developing innovative solutions  Display a high level of critical thinking in bringing successful resolution to high-impact, complex, and cross-functional problems 

Requirements:

Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, electrical engineering technology, or comparable engineering degree  5+ years of successful experience in related field for controls engineers  Proficiency in PLC programming (Allen Bradley and/or Rockwell)  Experience writing functional safety programming (5+ years) Experience with IO-Link

Physical Demands/ Work Environment:  

Travel Requirement: Up to 25%, domestically and/or internationally Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer Periods of moving about industrial warehouse and production environments Frequent exposure to mechanical and electrical systems, requiring the use of appropriate PPE and adherence to safety protocols Occasional lifting and transport of equipment or tools weighing up to 25 pounds may be required Ability to work extended hours as required

Proactive Global is committed to equality in the workplace and is an equal opportunity employer.
Proactive Global is acting as an Employment Business in relation to this vacancy.

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Job Description
Position Title: Controls Engineer

What you'll do
* Design, program, and commission PLC-based control systems for automated material handling equipment
* Support onsite commissioning, troubleshooting, and system startups in fast-paced customer environments
* Collaborate closely with mechanical, electrical, and project teams to deliver reliable, on-time solutions
* Ensure customer satisfaction through strong communication and technical execution
* Follow industry safety standards and contribute to a zero-incident culture
* (Senior Levels) Lead technical efforts, mentor junior engineers, and help elevate the controls team Embrace and promote by incorporating into your work the core values

Requirements
* Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Automation, or a related field
* Experience in controls engineering (level aligned to experience):
* Level III: 7+ years
* PLC programming experience (Allen-Bradley, Siemens, Beckhoff, or similar)
* Willingness and ability to travel up to 80% to customer sites
* Strong communication skills and ability to work cross-functionally Preferred Qualifications
* Experience in material handling, automation, or industrial systems
* Proven success with onsite commissioning and troubleshooting
* OSHA-30 or relevant PLC certifications
* (Senior level) Experience mentoring engineers or leading technical teams

Proactive Global is committed to equality in the workplace and is an equal opportunity employer.
Proactive Global is acting as an Employment Business in relation to this vacancy.

Read less

Position Title: Controls Engineer

What you'll do
* Design, program, and commission PLC-based control systems for automated material handling equipment
* Support onsite commissioning, troubleshooting, and system startups in fast-paced customer environments
* Collaborate closely with mechanical, electrical, and project teams to deliver reliable, on-time solutions
* Ensure customer satisfaction through strong communication and technical execution
* Follow industry safety standards and contribute to a zero-incident culture
* (Senior Levels) Lead technical efforts, mentor junior engineers, and help elevate the controls team Embrace and promote by incorporating into your work the core values.

Requirements
* Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Automation, or a related field
* Experience in controls engineering (level aligned to experience):
* Level III: 7+ years
* PLC programming experience (Allen-Bradley, Siemens, Beckhoff, or similar)
* Willingness and ability to travel up to 80% to customer sites
* Strong communication skills and ability to work cross-functionally Preferred Qualifications
* Experience in material handling, automation, or industrial systems
* Proven success with onsite commissioning and troubleshooting
* OSHA-30 or relevant PLC certifications
* (Senior level) Experience mentoring engineers or leading technical teams

Proactive Global is committed to equality in the workplace and is an equal opportunity employer.
Proactive Global is acting as an Employment Business in relation to this vacancy.

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Senior Controls Engineer

Location: Franklin, TN or Remote

About the Opportunity

We're seeking an experienced Senior Controls Engineer to lead the design, development, programming, and commissioning of complex material handling automation systems. This role offers the opportunity to take ownership of projects from concept through customer handoff while helping shape engineering standards, mentoring teammates, and driving innovation across the controls organization.

If you enjoy solving complex technical challenges, working in both office and field environments, and delivering high-quality automation solutions, we'd love to hear from you.

What You'll DoLead controls engineering efforts across multiple material handling and industrial automation projects.Design complete electrical systems, including field device layouts, control panels, and electrical schematics using AutoCAD Electrical or EPLAN.Select electrical components, develop bills of materials (BOMs), design control networks, and validate equipment selections.Develop and program PLC, HMI, and SCADA applications.Commission, test, troubleshoot, and optimize systems during installation and startup.Provide technical support during installation and resolve field issues as needed.Ensure projects are delivered on schedule, within scope, and meet customer expectations.Develop and maintain engineering standards, reusable code libraries, and design templates.Support research and development initiatives to expand automation capabilities.Evaluate and implement new technologies alongside equipment and software vendors.Identify value engineering opportunities while maintaining system performance and reliability.Collaborate closely with project managers, mechanical engineers, field teams, and customers throughout project execution.Mentor junior engineers and promote knowledge sharing within the controls team.Participate in continuous improvement initiatives, internal training, and engineering process development.Support recruiting efforts and provide technical input on engineering tools and technologies.Represent the engineering team professionally during customer meetings, site visits, and supplier interactions.Qualifications10+ years of controls engineering experience (or 14+ years of relevant experience without a degree), preferably in material handling, warehouse automation, or industrial automation.Advanced experience programming PLCs and developing HMI/SCADA systems.Strong understanding of industrial networking architectures and communication protocols.Experience designing electrical control panels and selecting automation components.Proficiency with AutoCAD Electrical, EPLAN, or similar electrical design software.Strong mechanical aptitude with the ability to transition between engineering design and field commissioning.Excellent troubleshooting, problem-solving, and analytical skills.Strong communication and collaboration skills.Ability to manage multiple projects while maintaining a high level of quality and attention to detail.Willingness to travel up to 50% based on project requirements.Why Join Us?Work on challenging, large-scale industrial automation and material handling projects.Enjoy a collaborative, team-oriented culture that values innovation and continuous improvement.Competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits package.401(k) with generous employer matching.Profit-sharing opportunities.Flexible work environment with autonomy and ownership.Opportunities for professional development, mentorship, and career growth.Team events, community involvement, and a culture that values both hard work and having fun.

Proactive Global is committed to equality in the workplace and is an equal opportunity employer.
Proactive Global is acting as an Employment Business in relation to this vacancy.

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Senior Controls Engineer

Location: Remote (USA)
Headquarters: Cincinnati, Ohio
Travel: Approximately 40%

Key Responsibilities

*Lead controls engineering activities on large automation projects
*Develop functional specifications and define system operation requirements
*Design and program PLC-based control systems
*Create and configure HMI applications
*Review electrical drawings and communication architecture designs
*Integrate controls with conveyors, drives, scanners, scales, and other automation equipment
*Interface with WCS and WES software systems
*Perform system testing, commissioning, and startup activities
*Provide customer training and technical support during project handover
*Mentor junior engineers and support their development
*Manage project schedules, priorities, and technical deliverables
*Participate in customer meetings, design reviews, and project planning activities
*Support continuous improvement and development of engineering standards

Technical Requirements

Candidates should have strong experience with:
*Allen-Bradley PLCs and Studio 5000 / RSLogix
*PLC programming and industrial control systems
*HMI development
*Ethernet/IP and industrial communication networks
*Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs)
*Safety PLCs and machine safety systems
*Electrical troubleshooting
*Reading electrical schematics and controls drawings
*Integration of automated equipment and material handling systems

Experience with AutoCAD or AutoCAD Electrical is beneficial.

What They're Looking For

*Bachelors Degree in Electrical Engineering, Electrical Engineering Technology, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or similar
*7+ years of industrial controls engineering experience
*Experience leading projects and mentoring engineers
*Strong customer-facing communication skills
*Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously
*Self-motivated individual capable of working independently
*Material handling, warehouse automation, or conveyor controls experience is highly desirable

Travel & Working Environment

*Remote position with travel to customer sites across North America
*Approximately 40% travel required
*Involvement in commissioning, testing, and startup activities
*Occasional evening, weekend, or holiday work during critical project phases

Why Consider this company?

*Opportunity to work on complex warehouse automation and material handling projects
*Full project lifecycle involvement from design through commissioning
*High level of customer interaction and technical ownership
*Strong engineering culture with opportunities to mentor and lead
*Remote working flexibility with a Cincinnati-based headquarters

Proactive Global is committed to equality in the workplace and is an equal opportunity employer.
Proactive Global is acting as an Employment Business in relation to this vacancy.

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* $150 000 - $185 000
* United States (Remote) 15% travel

The employer specialises in the material handling, automation, and sortation systems industry and is recognised for delivering highly engineered, customer-specific automation solutions. They are known for their innovative approach to system integration and their commitment to delivering high-performance solutions for leading distribution and logistics operations. They have an exciting opportunity for a Controls & Automation Lead Engineer to join their team. This position is well-suited to a technically driven and solution-oriented professional who is looking to take ownership of complex engineered-to-order automation projects from concept through commissioning.

This position is based in the Engineering department and reports to the Engineering Manager. You will lead controls and automation design activities, develop engineering documentation and system integration deliverables, and support projects through manufacturing, testing, commissioning, and customer handover.

Responsibilities:
* Serve as Lead Engineer for controls, automation, and integration activities on engineered-to-order projects.
* Develop sequences of operation, interface control documents, electrical schematics, control panel layouts, BOMs, and manufacturing routings.
* Integrate scanners, sensors, motors, VFDs, encoders, motion control devices, safety systems, and communication networks with WCS/WMS platforms.
* Coordinate with mechanical engineering, manufacturing, software development, project management, and field service teams.
* Support factory acceptance testing (FAT), site acceptance testing (SAT), commissioning, startup, and troubleshooting activities.
* Provide technical mentorship and guidance to junior engineers and contribute to continuous improvement initiatives.

Requirements:
* Bachelors Degree in Electrical Engineering.
* 5+ years of experience in OEM automation, controls engineering, and system integration within sortation or material handling environments.
* Strong knowledge of PLCs, HMIs, industrial networks, motion control systems, VFDs, servo systems, and automation hardware.
* Proficiency with AutoCAD Electrical and 3D CAD software (SolidWorks preferred).
* Experience integrating OEM equipment with WCS/WMS platforms and high-speed parcel/package sortation systems.
* Working knowledge of NFPA 70, NFPA 79, and familiarity with UL508A panel requirements.
* Strong troubleshooting, project management, and technical communication skills.
Reasons why you should apply:
* Lead complex, high-profile automation and integration projects from concept through commissioning.
* Work with cutting-edge sortation and material handling technologies.
* Gain exposure to a wide range of controls, automation, networking, and motion control systems.
* Collaborate with multidisciplinary engineering teams in a highly technical environment.
* Opportunity to influence engineering standards and mentor developing engineers.
* Limited travel requirement of approximately 15% or less.

How to Apply:
For more information on the role, or an informal discussion regarding opportunities we have available, please contact Tara Gain - [email protected]

Why work with Proactive?
Proactive Global is an industry leading, specialist engineering recruitment agency focused on the automation, manufacturing and advanced technology sectors. We offer specialist recruitment services to a niche customer base, vetting that our clients offer the best opportunities for your career. Proactive encourages and promotes equality and diversity within the workforce. We act with honesty, integrity and impartiality, ensuring your application is considered on its own merits and without bias.
When registering with Proactive you will have the opportunity to apply for some of the most interesting, specialist opportunities in the marketplace, with the biggest companies in the sector. Follow us on LinkedIn and Facebook for industry news and download our app for live notifications about newly listed vacancies. We look forward to helping you find your next role!

Proactive Global is committed to equality in the workplace and is an equal opportunity employer.
Proactive Global is acting as an Employment Business in relation to this vacancy.

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Senior Controls Engineer - Warehouse Automation - offering technical ownership of automation projects, exposure to cutting-edge warehouse technologies, and flexible contract or full-time opportunities.

* From $65.00 per hour (depending on experience).
* Remote / Port Clinton, OH (Up to 25% Travel).

The employer specialises in the warehouse automation and material handling industry and is a growing systems integrator delivering turnkey conveyor, sortation, and automation solutions for retail, e-commerce, parcel, and distribution operations. They are known for developing innovative automation technologies and providing engineers with the opportunity to work on complex, high-profile projects that directly impact customer operations.

They have an exciting opportunity for a Senior Controls Engineer to join their team. This position is well-suited to a technically driven problem-solver who enjoys taking ownership of automation projects, developing advanced control systems, and solving complex integration challenges within fast-paced environments.

This position is based within the Controls Engineering department and reports to the Engineering Leadership team. You will lead controls design activities, develop automation software solutions, and support projects from concept through commissioning and startup.

Responsibilities:

Design and develop controls, automation, and integration solutions for conveyor, sortation, and material handling systems.Develop and troubleshoot PLC, HMI, and PC-based automation software.Create project-specific control architectures and automation strategies.Integrate systems with Warehouse Control Systems (WCS), Warehouse Management Systems (WMS), and third-party equipment.Support FAT, SAT, commissioning, and startup activities.Provide technical leadership, mentor junior engineers, and participate in design reviews and continuous improvement initiatives.Troubleshoot complex controls and integration issues throughout the project lifecycle.

Requirements:

Bachelors Degree in Electrical Engineering or a related discipline.5+ years of controls engineering, automation, or systems integration experience within warehouse automation, material handling, parcel, conveyor, or industrial automation environments.Strong PLC and HMI programming experience.Experience integrating automation systems with WCS and WMS platforms.Knowledge of industrial networking, VFDs, motion control systems, servo systems, and electrical controls.Proficiency with AutoCAD Electrical and SolidWorks or similar CAD software.Familiarity with NFPA 70, NFPA 79, and UL508A standards preferred.Ability to manage multiple projects and solve complex technical challenges.Experience within Amazon, FedEx, or leading warehouse automation and material handling organisations is highly desirable.

Reasons why you should apply:

Lead the controls and integration design for advanced warehouse automation projects.Work on cutting-edge conveyor, sortation, and material handling technologies.Opportunity to own projects from concept through commissioning and startup.Collaborate with multidisciplinary engineering teams across automation, software, mechanical, and operations functions.Flexible contract or full-time employment options available.Join a growing organisation investing heavily in automation innovation and engineering excellence.

How to Apply:
For more information on the role, or an informal discussion regarding opportunities we have available, please contact Chantal Willemburg via [email protected]

Why work with Proactive?
Proactive Global is an industry-leading specialist engineering recruitment agency focused on the automation, manufacturing and advanced technology sectors. We offer specialist recruitment services to a niche customer base, vetting that our clients offer the best opportunities for your career.

Proactive encourages and promotes equality and diversity within the workforce. We act with honesty, integrity and impartiality, ensuring your application is considered on its own merits and without bias.

When registering with Proactive, you will have the opportunity to apply for some of the most interesting specialist opportunities in the marketplace with some of the biggest companies in the sector. Follow us on LinkedIn and Facebook for industry news and download our app for live notifications about newly listed vacancies.

We look forward to helping you find your next role!

Proactive Global is committed to equality in the workplace and is an equal opportunity employer.
Proactive Global is acting as an Employment Business in relation to this vacancy.

Read less