Electrical Controls Engineer

Company Summary

We are a leading U.S.-based manufacturer of high-quality sheet metal fabrication machinery. We offer one of the most complete lines of fabrication equipment you will find in the US. As a family-owned company, we emphasize precision, durability, long service life, and customer-focused solutions. With a proud legacy of craftsmanship, supportive culture, and many long-tenured employees (some 30–50+ years), the company values integrity, loyalty, collaboration, and flexibility in a close-knit environment.

Job Summary

The Senior Electrical Controls Engineer is responsible for designing, developing, and supporting electrical control systems for sheet metal fabrication equipment and automated machinery. This role plays a critical part in enhancing machine performance, reliability, and innovation across our product lines, while providing controls support across all three company locations

Responsibilities

• Design and develop electrical control systems for metal fabrication machinery
• Program and maintain PLCs and operator interfaces (HMI)
• Develop electrical schematics, wiring diagrams, and panel layouts using SolidWorks Electrical or similar tools
• Specify components such as drives, motors, sensors, safety devices, and control panels
• Integrate motion control systems, including servo drives and positioning systems
• Support new product development and engineering improvements on existing equipment
• Lead machine startup, commissioning, and factory acceptance testing (FAT)
• Troubleshoot and resolve electrical/control issues in both production and field environments
• Collaborate with mechanical engineering, production, and service teams
• Ensure compliance with UL, CE, NEC, and NFPA standards
• Provide technical leadership and mentorship to junior engineers/technicians
• Interface with vendors, customers, service, sales, and external technical partners
• Support controls strategy across all three companies, help modernize systems, develop training for service teams, and gather customer feedback

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or a related field
• 7–10+ years of controls engineering experience in industrial machinery or OEM environments
• Strong experience with PLCs, drives, servo systems, motor controls, and VFDs
• Experience PLCs and drives
• HMI development experience
• Ability to design and interpret electrical schematics and panel layouts
• Hands-on troubleshooting experience with industrial equipment
• Senior-level profile capable of working independently with service, sales, vendors, and external partners
• Mechanical aptitude and strong problem-solving/diagnostic skills
• Cross-functional collaboration and project/time management abilities
• Willingness to travel occasionally

Preferred Requirements

• Experience in sheet metal fabrication equipment or the machine tool industry
• Familiarity with CNC controls or machine automation
• Knowledge of safety systems
• Experience with international standards
• Project leadership experience
• Hydraulics exposure
• Experience with the ECS control platform used on CNC folding systems

Compensation/Benefits

• Target salary range: $95,000 – $145,000
• Bonus: Project-based bonus is possible
• Benefits include 401(k) with safe harbor match, medical coverage, and extended benefits

Location

• Based a in Rockford, Illinois
• Not a remote position