Job Opportunity: Columbus, OH
Our client is looking for a Controls Systems Engineer to join their team. Our client is growing fast globally and looking for top talent to join their team. They are a leading global supplier of Abrasive Blasting and Painting Facilities to a range of different industries.
The Controls Systems Engineer will be responsible for the architecture, development, and governance of standardized, configurable control system software for automated blast and paint booth systems. This role is part of the product development team and focuses on establishing scalable software baselines that support multiple projects and product configurations.
Responsibilities/Duties:
- Develop and maintain standardized PLC and HMI software architectures using Beckhoff TwinCAT and Ignition platforms.
- Define and implement modular, configurable software frameworks to support multiple product variants and customer configurations.
- Establish and maintain software development standards, including naming conventions, code structure, version control, and documentation practices.
- Develop reusable function blocks, libraries, and templates to improve consistency and efficiency across projects.
- Define system architectures, including communication protocols, data models, and integration strategies between subsystems.
- Collaborate with mechanical, electrical, and product engineering teams to align control system design with overall product architecture.
- Provide technical oversight and design reviews for PLC/HMI software developed by other engineers.
- Support integration of proprietary equipment with third-party and customer-supplied systems.
- Drive continuous improvement of control system standards and product platforms.
- Support FAT, system validation, and commissioning activities as required, with focus on validating core software functionality and standards.
- Participate in troubleshooting complex system issues and lead root cause investigations.
- Ensure control system designs meet applicable NEC, NFPA (70, 70E, 79), and hazardous location requirements.
- Contribute to long-term product roadmap development related to automation, controls, and digital systems.
- Provide guidance or oversight on electrical schematics and system design developed in AutoCAD Electrical.
- Other duties as assigned.
Requirements/Qualifications:
- Bachelor"s Degree in Electrical Engineering (BSEE), or related engineering discipline from an ABET-accredited institution.
- Minimum of 7+ years of experience in industrial control systems design and development.
- Demonstrated experience developing PLC software in Structured Text, preferably using Beckhoff TwinCAT.
- Experience developing scalable HMI/SCADA systems using Ignition.
- Strong experience with modular software design, reusable libraries, and configurable architectures.
- Proven ability to define and enforce software standards and best practices.
- Strong understanding of industrial communication protocols (e.g., EtherCAT, TCP/IP, OPC UA).
- Experience integrating multi-system architectures, including third-party and OEM equipment.
- Working knowledge of NEC, NFPA standards, and hazardous area classification requirements.
- Experience supporting system commissioning and troubleshooting in industrial environments.
- Strong system-level thinking with the ability to design scalable and maintainable architectures.
- Ability to lead technical direction without direct authority (influence across teams).
- Excellent problem-solving skills, particularly in complex, integrated systems.
- Strong communication skills for conveying standards and design intent to cross-functional teams.
- Advanced proficiency in PLC programming environments, particularly Beckhoff TwinCAT.
- Experience with Ignition HMI/SCADA platform development.
- Familiarity with version control tools and structured development workflows.
- Working knowledge of AutoCAD Electrical preferred.
- Experience with AutoCAD Electrical for control panel and system design preferred.
- Experience with version control systems (e.g., Git or equivalent) preferred.
- Experience in product development or platform standardization environments (not just project-based work) preferred.