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 30โ50+ 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
- Bachelorโs degree in Electrical Engineering or a related field
- 7โ10+ 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: $100,000 โ $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
You should be proficient in:
- PLC Troubleshooting Skills
- Troubleshooting Industrial Automation Equipment
Machines & technologies you'll use:
- CNC Automation Solutions (Siemens)
- Variable Frequency Drives (VFD)
- CAD Software (Solidworks)
- Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) (Allen Bradley, Siemens, Beckoff, Schneider Electric)
- Servo Motors
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