Automation Controls Design Engineer

Essential Duties and Responsibilities #### Electrical Design and Documentation - Design industrial control systems, electrical control panels, schematics, and machine wiring. - Develop panel layouts, wire harness drawings, wiring diagrams, I/O lists, cable schedules, and bills of materials. - Select and specify PLCs, HMIs, power supplies, sensors, relays, circuit protection, drives, motors, and safety components. - Create and update 2D and 3D CAD drawings. - Maintain drawing revisions, engineering change records, and accurate as-built documentation. - Design for manufacturability, serviceability, component availability, and project requirements. ### Automation Programming and Troubleshooting - Develop, modify, and troubleshoot PLC and HMI programs. - Configure and support servo systems, motion controls, variable frequency drives, and industrial communication networks. - Develop equipment operating sequences, operator interfaces, alarms, and diagnostic functions. - Integrate machine safety devices and safety controls appropriate to the application. - Diagnose electrical, programming, communication, and equipment performance issues. - Maintain organized program files, backups, and revision records. ### Estimating and Project Support - Assist with project estimating, scope development, component selection, and engineering labor requirements. - Participate in customer technical discussions to understand operating needs and define project requirements. - Identify technical risks, missing information, and potential scope changes. - Coordinate with purchasing and production on component availability, substitutions, and design questions. - Communicate project status and priorities with management and the production team. ### Production, Testing, and Commissioning - Support control panel assembly, harness manufacturing, machine wiring, and equipment integration. - Develop and perform functional tests to verify wiring, I/O, operating sequences, and safety functions. - Assist with installation, startup, commissioning, and troubleshooting at customer locations as needed. - Prepare operating instructions, technical documentation, and customer handoff information. - Help resolve production and field issues through clear documentation and practical corrective actions. ### Engineering Standards and Improvement - Build reusable drawing templates, programming standards, component libraries, and documentation practices. - Improve design consistency, production efficiency, and troubleshooting capabilities. - Follow company and customer safety procedures and applicable project requirements. ### Required Qualifications - Degree in electrical engineering, electrical engineering technology, automation, or a related field; equivalent technical education and relevant practical experience will also be considered. - Relevant experience in industrial electrical design, controls engineering, or automation. - Ability to develop and interpret electrical schematics, panel layouts, wiring diagrams, and technical documentation. - Working knowledge of PLC and HMI programming and industrial control components. - Experience using CAD software to produce clear, accurate engineering drawings. - Strong electrical troubleshooting and problem-solving skills. - Ability to organize multiple assignments, manage revisions, and communicate project needs. - Willingness to work directly with production personnel and support equipment testing and commissioning. - Attention to detail, dependable follow-through, and a commitment to safe work practices. ### Preferred Skills and Experience - Omron Sysmac / Sysmac Studio strongly preferred. - Omron NJ/NX controllers, NA HMIs, EtherCAT, servo/motion control, and safety systems. - Allen-Bradley PLCs and Studio 5000. - Bentley MicroStation. - Electrical CAD and industrial cont ol panel design. - Industrial sensors, instrumentation, machine safety, and network troubleshooting. - Familiarity with UL 508A requirements and panel documentation. - Experience with ERP systems, bills of materials, purchasing documentation, and manufacturing processes. - Experience developing reusable engineering standards and supporting projects from concept through commissioning. ### Work Environment This role includes computer-based design and programming, hands-on work in a manufacturing environment, and customer-site support when required. Travel and schedule flexibility may be needed for installation, startup, and commissioning. ### Why Join Design Technologies? This position offers the opportunity to work across electrical design, automation programming, and manufacturing. You will see your designs move from drawings to completed equipment and help shape the standards, tools, and processes used on future projects.