Overview
Skills
Job Details
Position: Senior Control Engineer
Location: Alpharetta, GA (Onsite)
Duration: Long Term
Mandatory: CAD, Controls Engineer, PLC (Programmable Logic Controller)
Required Education:
1. Education: A Bachelor's degree in Electrical, Manufacturing, or Mechanical Engineering. They do not accept 2-year degrees or internship experience as a substitute for the 8-10 years.
2. Experience: 8-10 years of direct, hands-on controls engineering experience. A Master's degree with 6 years of experience may be considered.
Role Overview:
You will be the technical expert responsible for designing, programming, testing, and commissioning sophisticated control systems for custom switchgear that allows multiple generators to work together ("parallel") and connect to the utility grid. Your work will power critical infrastructure like hospitals, data centers, and disaster recovery systems.
Must-Have Qualifications:
1. PLC Programming Experience
2. Generator Paralleling Experience
3. Switchgear Design/Control Panel Design Experience
4. PLC Programming Mastery: Proven, expert-level ability to program in at least one IEC 61131 language (Ladder Logic, Function Block, Structured Text) on a major platform.
5. Industry-Specific Experience: Direct experience with Generator Paralleling and Switchgear/Control Panel Design. This is the core of the role.
Required Technical Skills (Detailed):
- PLC Platforms: Expert knowledge in at least one of the following:
o Schneider Electric: Momentum, M340, M340
o Allen-Bradley: ControlLogix, CompactLogix
o Woodward: MSLC, DSLC, EasyGen, LS5 Architecture
- System Integration: Experience designing and commissioning complex systems with multiple PLCs from different manufacturers.
- Design Application: Ability to interpret complex customer specifications and translate them into a functional, compliant control system design.
- Template Customization: Experience customizing both PLC software and hardware templates for specific project needs.
Desired Skills:
- Standards Knowledge: Deep understanding of electrical codes and standards (NEC, UL 508, UL 891, UL 1558, CSA 22.2, ANSI).
- Protective Relays: Knowledge of protective relays used for generator and utility protection schemes.
Key Responsibilities:
- Design & Development: Create and program PLC-based control systems for low and medium voltage generator switchgear.
- Project Execution: Manage the electrical design schedule from concept to completion, creating bills of materials and directing CAD designers.
- Technical Leadership: Provide expertise on control system philosophy, operation, and troubleshooting.
- Compliance & Safety: Ensure all designs and work practices meet relevant safety standards (NEC, UL, etc.) and legal requirements.
- Collaboration: Work directly with internal and external customers to achieve project milestones, often managing multiple projects at once.
- 60% Office Work: PLC programming, reviewing designs and customer specs, creating documentation, project planning.
- 40% Shop Floor/Hands-On: Testing systems in the manufacturing facility, troubleshooting hardware, and supporting commissioning. (PPE is required daily on the shop floor).
Critical Soft Skills:
- Independent & Proactive: Must be a self-starter who can manage their own time across multiple projects.
- Superior Communication: Excellent verbal and written skills for interacting with team members, customers, and providing clear documentation.
- Problem-Solving: Strong analytical skills to troubleshoot complex hardware and process issues.
- Leadership & Mentoring: Ability to provide guidance and constructive feedback to less experienced engineers and CAD designers.
- Attention to Detail: Critical for ensuring the safety and reliability of power control systems.
Disqualifiers / Red Flags:
- Lack of Specific Experience: No direct generator paralleling or switchgear design experience.
- Insufficient Years of Experience: Less than 8 years of relevant post-Bachelor's degree experience.
- Wrong Degree: Only having an associate's degree or a degree in an unrelated field.
- Vague PLC Experience: Being unable to specify the platforms you've used or the languages you program in.
- Overqualification: While not explicitly stated, someone seeking a pure management role without hands-on technical work may not be a fit, as this is a senior individual contributor role.