Principal Controls Engineer- Parcel

Position Description 

TREW is a provider of Automated Equipment, Control Systems and Warehouse Execution Software. As a Senior Controls Engineer, you will design and implement electrical controls systems for automated material handling equipment. This is project/application-based work that includes development of specifications, review electrical drawings, and creation of PLC/PAC logic. Project design and testing will take place in the office.  Completed work is installed and tested at the clients’ facility.  

 

You must be self-motivated, dedicated and possess a strong sense of initiative. You must have the ability to easily adapt to changing situations and have a strongtechnical background in electrical and controls systems. Candidates must have a strong task-based skillset with a focus on organization, time-management, and prioritization. Candidates will have excellent verbal and written communication, interpersonal and customer service skills plus the ability to collaborate effectively with a wide range of people at all levels of expertise.  

 As a Senior Controls Engineer, you will be involved in projects from the concept phase through design, programming, testing and onsite support.  You will serve as the primary technical contact for a project. You will have direct interaction with clients throughout each project. You will work closely with Mechanical Engineering, Controls Engineering and Project Management. On large projects, you will work within a design team and for smaller projects you will work on your own with supervision from team leaders, project engineers, project managers and your supervisor
 
Duties / Responsibilities     

Verifies customer specification documentation including Meeting with both client and internal project teams to define applications and produce functional specification or description of operation documents  

Leads training/mentoring of co-op personnel and junior engineers on design process, system commissioning, and department methods by and delegates project tasks as appropriate  

Leads large projects by defining and issuing work to assigned team members with minimal supervision  

Runs multiple small projects performed by others with minimal supervision 

Maintains a project schedule and ensures the project team meets milestones  

Maintains the project forecast for resources, materials, and expenses 

Meets or exceeds the financial budget for resources, materials, and expenses 

Directs and assigns teammates as well as assigns priorities to meet the project needs 

Generating project specific documentation using standard company formats  

Reviews electrical design and communication architecture diagrams, providing feedback to electrical engineers  

Designs interfaces to devices such as network I/O, variable speed drives, camera/laser scanner ID systems and scales.  

Customizing standard products to meet the requirements of each project  

Designs interfaces to WCS or WES software systems  

Using automation programming software to create PLC programs for automating machinery  

Configuring standard PLC programs for real-time control of automated equipment and collection of diagnostic and production data.  

Generates new PLC programs, methods and standards  

Develop application programs to control automated equipment based upon specific electrical and mechanical system design as well as operational requirements.   

Creating application programs for Human Machine Interface (HMI) screen design  

Conducts in-house preliminary testing and onsite testing of the system as installed at the customer’s facility.   

Interact with mechanical and electrical engineering during project design reviews  

Work closely with electrical, mechanical and software engineers to integrate project solutions  

Work closely with software engineers to integrate controls solutions  

Participating and leading design reviews with project teams  

Performs on-site technical checkout, often working with installation teams   

Performs on-site system commissioning at client sites to validate controls design  

Provides customer training and support during project turnover to the end user  

Provides continuing support for finished projects  

Ensures all project checklists and 'as-built' documentation created by the team is complete and archived at project completion  

Assists engineering leadership in completion of work-flow process and updates work-flow instructions 

Reports project status to the project managers and department supervisor/manager  

Directs assigned team in the field and assigns priorities consistent with project requirements   

Identifies methods and tools to improve efficiency  

Provides customer facing technical expertise, often as a program lead, focusing on standardization across a particular client base or product portfolio.  

 
Required Skills/ Abilities 

Ability to multi-task and maintain deadlines while ensuring quality in a collaborative, team-oriented environment  

Ability to lead a team and accomplish project goals 

Self-motivated, with the ability to operate independently and with minimal supervision 

Must have good organizational and leadership skills 

Must have excellent written and verbal communication skills 

Ability to organize other engineers to meet project schedules and deliver accurate designs 

Proficient with MS Office Software including Word, Excel & Outlook  

Proficient with personal computers and experience using Microsoft Windows operating systems  

Knowledge of AutoCAD and AutoCAD Electrical a plus  

Proficient with RSLogix/Studio 5000  

Knowledge of 480vac 3-phase power  

Knowledge of 120vac and/or 24VDC controls circuits 

Proficient with Allen Bradley PLC/PAC Controllers or similar automation controllers   

Proficient with ladder logic, structured text, function block or other high-level programming languages   

Advanced knowledge of safety PLCs and safety systems or similar a plus  

Advanced knowledge with industrial control systems including PLC and HMI systems  

Proficient with industrial communication networks such as Ethernet/IP & AS-Interface 

Ability to read and understand system layouts, schematics and other controls system drawings  

Ability to perform electrical troubleshooting using various hand tools and meters  


Education & Experience 

Bachelor of Science Degree from an accredited college or university in Electrical Engineering (BSEE), Electrical Engineering Technology (BSEET), Computer Science (BSCS), Computer Engineering (BSCE), Computer Engineering Technology (BSCET) or equivalent experience  

Minimum of 7 years of experience designing industrial control systems.   

Experience with material handling equipment controls, industry experience preferred but not required  

Work Environment 

Ability to work effectively in a warehouse and/or construction environment for system testing  

Climbing ladders and moving around on platforms to maneuver in and around equipment  

Flexibility to travel, often via air with the ability to travel 20-40%, on a calendar year basis to job sites both domestically and abroad. Travel may include weekends and/or holidays.   

Ability to work non-traditional hours that may on occasion include nights, weekends and/or holidays   

Physical Requirements 

Capable of working in a construction site environment (no air conditioning, dusty, loud etc.) and following all site safety rules such as wearing personal protective equipment (hard hats, safety shoes, hearing protection, etc.)  

Ability to frequently move about the work site to access equipment, etc. and remain standing stationary for extended periods of time.  

 
Trew EEO Statement 

Trew and its companies are an equal opportunity employer. Applicants will be considered for employment without regard to age, race, creed, color, national origin, ancestry, marital status, affectional or sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, nationality, sex, or veteran status. 

Other Duties 

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.