Electrical Engineer II

Position Overview

The Electrical Engineer II is responsible for the design, development, and implementation of electrical control systems for automotive test equipment and custom automated machinery with minimal supervision. This role independently manages electrical design activities, develops PLC and HMI programs, and supports machine startup, commissioning, and installation activities. Leveraging technical expertise and sound judgment, the Electrical Engineer II collaborates with cross-functional teams to deliver reliable, high-quality control systems while providing technical support to manufacturing, field service, and customers. This position serves as a key contributor on new machine designs, system upgrades, and controls-related improvements throughout the project lifecycle.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop complete electrical control systems, schematics, and documentation for new equipment, upgrades, and customer-specific projects with minimal supervision.
• Create, maintain, and troubleshoot PLC and HMI programs to support machine functionality, performance, and customer requirements.
• Develop and maintain project bills of material (BOMs), electrical print packages, and supporting technical documentation.
• Collaborate with customers, project managers, and cross-functional engineering teams to define system requirements, support project execution, and resolve technical issues.
• Provide technical support for manufacturing, machine build, installation, startup, and commissioning activities, both remotely and on-site.
• Lead or support machine startup, customer acceptance testing, and installation activities to ensure successful project completion.
• Mentor and provide technical guidance to junior Electrical and Controls Engineers while supporting continuous improvement initiatives.
• Support troubleshooting and enhancement efforts for existing equipment, controls systems, and customer-driven upgrades.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering or a related engineering discipline with an emphasis in controls, automation, robotics, or systems design preferred.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in electrical design, industrial automation, machine controls, or a related engineering field.
• Proficiency in PLC and HMI programming and troubleshooting, preferably Allen-Bradley and Siemens platforms; experience with additional platforms is a plus.
• Ability to independently develop electrical schematics, control system designs, bills of material (BOMs), and complete electrical print packages using AutoCAD, EPLAN, or similar software.
• Working knowledge of industrial automation systems, including VFDs, industrial networking, pneumatic systems, and hydraulic controls.
• Experience supporting machine startup, commissioning, installation, and troubleshooting activities in manufacturing or customer-facing environments.
• Strong communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills with the ability to manage multiple projects and effectively interact with customers and cross-functional teams.
• Ability and willingness to travel domestically and internationally up to 10-20% of the time.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with custom machinery, automotive testing equipment, or industrial automation systems.
• Previous experience supporting equipment upgrades, retrofit projects, and controls modernization efforts.
• Understanding of robotics integration and motion control systems.
• Demonstrated ability to remain calm under pressure and effectively troubleshoot issues in production or customer environments.

Ascential Technologies is a global industrial technology company with operations spanning automotive testing and validation, medical and life sciences, and advanced manufacturing. Our Grand Rapids, MI site is part of the Burke Porter Group — a recognized leader in vehicle testing, automation, and end-of-line measurement systems. We build with precision. We operate with purpose. And we’re looking for people who bring that same standard to every part of the business.