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Controls Engineer Job Description

Job Title: Controls Engineer - Entry Level

Reports To: Engineering Manager

Type of Position: Full-Time

Location: Bridgton, ME

Status: Exempt

General Job Description:

Howell Laboratories, Inc. is seeking a motivated and resourceful Controls Engineer to fill an established role on our Engineering team. The successful candidate will step into a position supporting controls system design, development, testing, and customer support across our packaged system product lines for the U.S. Navy - including seawater chlorination systems, potable water disinfectant generators, and air dehydrator systems.

The Controls Engineer will work closely with a collaborative engineering team that includes an Electrical Engineer, Mechanical Engineers, a CAD Designer, and an Engineering Manager. This role demands a genuine passion for learning, strong problem-solving instincts, and the ability to grow technical expertise through hands-on experience and self-directed study.

Our Legacy

Howell Laboratories, Inc. has delivered mission-critical marine solutions for over six decades. Since becoming employee-owned in 1995, we have leveraged a culture of high productivity to develop cutting-edge air and water treatment systems for the US Navy and Coast Guard. From desiccant dehydrators to electrolytic disinfectant generators, we specialize in solving complex problems with custom-engineered technology built for the sea.

Howell Laboratories and its divisions: ODAT Machine and GDL Powder Coating, is a 100% employee-owned (ESOP) engineering and manufacturing company based in Bridgton and Gorham, ME. We are committed to providing our knowledge, expertise, and integrity to partners who require solutions on which they can stake their lives and livelihoods. We turn innovation into creation.

Our Values: Ownership, Accountability, Integrity, Feedback, Empathy, Openness

Responsibilities:

As a Controls Engineer, you will be responsible for the design, specification, development and implementation of controls systems for various devices.

Controls System Development

• Design, program, and commission PLC-based control systems for new and existing product lines.
• Develop HMI screens and operator interface programs that meet Navy usability and documentation standards.
• Asist in creating and maintaining electrical schematics, control panel layouts, and I/O documentation.
• Specify and select instrumentation, sensors, actuators, and control hardware appropriate to marine environments.
• Collaborate with mechanical and systems engineers to integrate controls with overall packaged system designs.
  

Product Testing & Validation

• Develop and execute test plans and procedures for controls systems during factory acceptance testing (FAT).
• Troubleshoot system faults and anomalies during testing; document findings and implement corrective actions.
• Support site acceptance testing (SAT) aboard naval vessels or at shore-based facilities as required
• Maintain test records, data logs, and calibration documentation in compliance with Navy requirements.
• Participate in design reviews and contribute controls engineering perspectives to product improvement efforts.
  

Customer & Field Support

• Provide technical support to Navy customers and field personnel for installed equipment.
• Diagnose and resolve controls-related issues remotely via phone and email.
• Prepare and deliver technical documentation, including troubleshooting guides and operator manuals.
• Travel periodically to Navy bases, shipyards, and customer sites to support commissioning, training, or repair activities
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with Navy engineering and maintenance personnel

Self-Directed Learning & Growth

• Proactively research and develop proficiency in PLC platforms, communication protocols, and control system architectures relevant to Howell products
• Study applicable Navy standards, MIL-SPEC documents, and shipboard system requirements independently
• Identify and pursue relevant training, certifications, or coursework to advance controls engineering capabilities
• Build internal knowledge base documentation to support future controls engineering resources
• Stay current on developments in industrial controls, cybersecurity for control systems, and defense industry requirements

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Controls Engineering, Mechatronics, or a closely related field
• Foundational understanding of PLC programming concepts (ladder logic, function block, or structured text)
• Coursework or project experience with industrial control systems, process instrumentation, or automation
• Ability to read and interpret electrical schematics and wiring diagrams
• Strong analytical and troubleshooting skills with a systematic approach to problem-solving
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; ability to document technical work clearly
• Demonstrated self-motivation and ability to learn independently with minimal supervision
• Excellent communication skills.
• Proficiency in MS Office
• Proficiency in CAD software
• Excellent multitasking skills
• Ability to work well in a team environment
• Must be a U.S. Citizen and eligible to obtain a U.S. Government security clearance

Preferred Qualifications

• Hands-on experience with Red Lion, Schneider Electric, or Siemens PLC and HMI platforms
• Familiarity with Red Lion HMI/SCADA tools, Schneider Electric EcoStruxure/Unity Pro, or Siemens TIA Portal
• Exposure to electrochemical systems, water treatment processes, or fluid handling systems
• Experience with Navy or defense contracting environments, MIL-STD documentation, or NAVSEA standards
• Knowledge of industrial communication protocols (Modbus, Profibus, EtherNet/IP, CANbus)
• NICET, ISA, or other relevant professional certifications or coursework
• Experience with CAD tools for electrical schematic development (AutoCAD Electrical, EPLAN, or similar)

Key Competencies:

Successful candidates will demonstrate strength in the following areas:

• Self-Directed Learning - Ability to independently acquire new technical skills, research unfamiliar systems, and apply knowledge in a practical setting without formal mentorship in the controls discipline
• Technical Problem Solving - Systematic approach to diagnosing controls and instrumentation issues, with the ability to work through complex problems methodically and develop effective solutions
• Attention to Detail - Precision in programming, documentation, wiring verification, and test execution; understanding that errors in control systems can have significant operational consequences
• Cross-Functional Collaboration - Ability to work effectively with electrical, mechanical, and design engineering colleagues, translating controls requirements across disciplines
• Customer Focus - Responsiveness and professionalism when supporting Navy customers and field personnel; ability to communicate technical information clearly to non-controls audiences
• Adaptability - Comfort operating across multiple PLC/HMI platforms and product lines, and willingness to pivot between product development, testing, and customer support as priorities shift
• Technical Communication - Ability to produce clear, accurate documentation including program comments, test records, wiring diagrams, and operator instructions
• Initiative - Proactive identification of system improvements, documentation gaps, or customer needs without waiting to be directed

Physical Requirements:

• Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at times.
• Must be able to access various departments of a given location.