Position Description TREW is a provider of Automated Equipment, Control Systems and Warehouse Execution Software. The Principal Controls Engineer is the engineering authority and subject matter expert for the design and implementation of electrical controls systems for automated material handling equipment. This is project/application-based work that includes development of specifications, planning, documentation, cost analysis, new product development, custom application development and PLC/PAC logic. You may serve as a resource contributing to new technology applied to projects or products. You will be responsible for initial application discovery, proof of concept and team training on new applications or complex controls projects. The Principal Controls Engineer is the architect of the company standards. They provide expertise and documentation to support the execution of the standard.
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 strong technical 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 Principal Controls Engineer, you will be involved in working directly with senior leadership to develop new technology, methods, and serve as the technical authority for less experienced engineers. You will be assigned to internal or external projects from concept phase through design, programming, testing and onsite support. You will work in the office, lab, or project jobsite depending on phase of project. You will serve as the primary technical resource for the Engineering Manager. You will assist the controls team with the implementation of new technology, methods or logic. You will be called upon to help resolve the most difficult design or controls issues within the project, product, or customer installation phases.

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 think logically through complex software applications
• Ability to present concepts to senior management to justify project and management goals
• 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 15 years of experience designing industrial control systems with 10 of those being in material handling equipment

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 5-10%, 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.

• Reports to department supervisor/manager
• Review customer or project specifications to determine needs for custom engineering.
• Advising engineering management or project management as to project scope, level of effort and cost.
• Recommends new technologies for departmental usage or management investment
• Reviews electrical design and communication architecture diagrams, providing feedback to electrical or controls engineers
• Developing or documenting company process, new technology, project or product specific customizations
• Guiding less experienced team members in implementation of the designs which may include the following: mentoring, reviewing, planning, following standards/procedures, developing standards
• Meeting with both client and internal project teams to define applications or future needs.
• Generating documentation using standard company formats.
• Uses automation programming software to create PLC programs for automating machinery
• Creating standard PLC programs for real-time control of automated equipment and collection of diagnostic and production data.
• Creates new PLC programs, methods and standards
• Creating application programs for Human Machine Interface (HMI) screen design
• Discovery and documentation of industrial communication architectures including but not limited to (Ethernet I/P & AS-Interface)
• Identify customizations to company standards that may be required to meet project specific requirements
• Identify new parts, process, technology to allow flexibility and innovation within the company’s vision
• Identify electrical parts and dependencies for PLC programming.
• Advising electrical part choices to electrical engineering for design into project or product standards
• Participates in design reviews with project teams to identify custom requirements
• Creating departmental standards documentation to support project execution
• Creating company standards to support product or development
• Interact with mechanical, electrical, controls and software engineering to support product or project development
• Participates in kick off meetings and design reviews to voice controls concerns during product or project definition
• Meeting with existing or potential vendors to identify controls hardware or software
• Work closely with controls engineers & software engineers to integrate controls solutions.
• Performs on-site technical system audits with project team members
• Performs on-site system commissioning progress validation or support of your new designs or software
• Mentors less experienced team members
• Sharing experience and theory with other engineers
• Meets or exceeds the financial budget for resources, materials, and expenses
• Identifies methods and tools to improve efficiency
• Planning engineering strategies for the company