Controls and Electrical Engineering Supervisor (OEM)

Job Description: Controls and Electrical Engineering Supervisor (OEM)

Position Summary

The Controls and Electrical Engineering Supervisor is a hands-on leadership role responsible for overseeing both the Controls Engineering (CE) and Electrical Engineering (EE) teams. This position combines technical expertise with administrative leadership to drive the development, design, and support of control software and electrical systems for Fives' composite and metal cutting equipment.

The CE team focuses on the development and maintenance of machine control software, while the EE team is responsible for the design and documentation of electrical hardware. The Supervisor ensures effective team performance through strategic staffing, skill deployment, and continuous development of organizational capability.

Fives is a global industrial engineering group that designs and supplies robotics, process equipment, and production lines for leading industries, including aerospace, automotive, biotechnology, semiconductor, and energy.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership & Team Management

• Lead, mentor, and develop Controls and Electrical Engineering teams
• Plan and manage staffing, including hiring, onboarding, and performance evaluations
• Allocate resources effectively to support project and organizational goals
• Establish, communicate, and enforce departmental policies and procedures
• Foster a collaborative, high-performance team environment

Project & Operational Planning

• Develop and maintain manpower and project execution plans
• Manage departmental budget and cost controls, including labor rate administration
• Support project planning from order entry through installation and commissioning

Technical Leadership

• Provide overall technical direction for control systems and electrical system design
• Review, develop, and approve control and electrical specifications
• Oversee the design, implementation, and validation of control features and electrical hardware
• Ensure adherence to industry standards, safety requirements, and internal guidelines
• Maintain control software repositories and build procedures

Cross-Functional Collaboration & Customer Support

• Collaborate with multi-disciplinary teams across engineering, manufacturing, and project management
• Interface with customers to support OEM programming products and resolve technical issues
• Partner with internal and external stakeholders to improve system performance and reliability
• Support continuous improvement initiatives and lessons learned activities

Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Controls Engineering, or a related field required
• Master's degree or MBA preferred

Experience

• Minimum 7 years of experience in controls or electrical design and project leadership
• At least 3 years of supervisory or team leadership experience
• Proven experience building and leading engineering teams
• Strong understanding of full project lifecycle, from order entry through installation

Technical Expertise

• Experience designing and troubleshooting complex electrical systems, particularly for machine tools or automated systems
• Proficiency with:
• VB.NET (WinForms), C, and C++
• IEC 61131-3 PLC programming languages
• Microsoft Visual Studio and Siemens TIA Portal
• Working knowledge of:
• OPC-UA, Modbus TCP/IP, and industrial communication protocols
• Access databases and data-driven applications
• Experience with:
• Multi-axis servo systems and motion control
• Robotics integration and interfaces
• Sensors, I/O systems, fieldbus networks, and industrial safety systems

Core Competencies

• Leadership & Relationship Management: Ability to build strong relationships across all organizational levels, as well as with customers, suppliers, and external stakeholders
• Communication: Strong verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to clearly convey complex technical concepts and lead presentations
• Decision-Making: Sound technical judgment with the ability to adapt to changing conditions and priorities
• Analytical Skills: Strong analytical and mathematical capabilities; familiarity with geometry, vector mathematics, and coordinate transformations preferred
• Process Discipline: Commitment to maintaining and enforcing ISO standards and internal engineering procedures

Benefits

• Employer-paid life and disability insurance, plus high-deductible health plans
• 401(k) and HSA accounts
• Competitive dental, vision, and premium medical plan options
• Voluntary benefits including accident, critical illness, hospital indemnity, and identity theft protection
• Paid holidays and generous paid time off
• Flexible work environment promoting work-life balance
• Minimal travel requirement (<5%)