Twinsburg, Ohio, 44087
Job description
Senior Machine Controls Engineer
Location: Twinsburg, OH
Salary: $120,000 – $130,000
We are looking for a skilled Senior Machine Controls Engineer / PLC Programmer to join our team in Twinsburg. This role involves designing, programming, integrating, and providing support for advanced vinyl window welding, sawing, corner cleaning, fabrication, and conveyance systems.
The ideal candidate will be a proactive controls engineer passionate about guiding automated machinery projects from initial concept through design, programming, startup, commissioning, and ongoing customer support. Candidates should have substantial expertise in PLC programming, machine control design, HMI development, motors, drives, electro-mechanical components, wiring schematics, and industrial automation.
Key Responsibilities
- Collaborate with customers, sales, project management, mechanical engineering, manufacturing, and field service teams to establish project specifications.
- Partner with the Sales team to create project estimates, technical plans, and automation solutions.
- Design electrical control systems for automated vinyl window manufacturing equipment, which encompasses welding, sawing, corner cleaning, fabrication, material handling, and conveyance systems.
- Develop, modify, and troubleshoot PLC software for automation systems.
- Create and enhance HMI interfaces for operator control, diagnostics, alarms, and production data management.
- Generate comprehensive electrical schematics, panel layouts, I/O lists, wiring diagrams, bills of materials, and associated documentation.
- Program and integrate servo drives, variable frequency drives (VFDs), motors, sensors, safety devices, vision systems, and industrial communication networks.
- Assist with debugging, factory acceptance testing, installations, startups, commissioning, and site acceptance testing at customer locations.
- Provide technical assistance to customers, manufacturing, sales, and field service teams.
- Diagnose issues in PLC logic, HMI applications, electrical systems, motion controls, machine networks, field devices, and control panels.
- Enhance productivity, safety, reliability, and operator experience by refining programming, equipment settings, diagnostics, and HMI displays.
- Continuously improve existing control systems, including robotic programming, PLC programming, relay logic, electrical distribution, motor controls, operator interfaces, hydraulic, and pneumatic systems.
- Prepare and uphold clear technical documentation, including machine manuals, service records, software backups, and change logs.
- Promote standardization in controls architecture, software design, programming libraries, and machine documentation.
- Travel as necessary to customer sites for installation, commissioning, troubleshooting, support, and training.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Automation Engineering, Mechatronics, or equivalent hands-on experience.
- Over 5 years of experience in electrical controls for machinery design, industrial automation, systems integration, or related fields.
- Proficient in PLC programming, including sequencing, diagnostics, safety logic, motion control, and troubleshooting.
- Experience in HMI programming and developing operator interfaces.
- Familiarity with servo motion, VFDs, motors, sensors, safety circuits, industrial networks, and automated machinery.
- Knowledge of structured programming techniques such as Ladder Logic, Function Block, Structured Text, and object-oriented programming.
- Experience with Beckhoff TwinCAT 3; familiarity with Jetter / Bucher control systems is preferred.
- Experience in robotics, vision systems, machine safety, and automated production systems is beneficial.
- Proficient in Microsoft Office applications.
- Able to read and create electrical schematics, panel layouts, I/O diagrams, and machine documentation.
- Excellent troubleshooting, analytical, and problem-solving abilities.
- Strong verbal and written communication skills.
- A positive attitude, meticulous work approach, a high degree of accountability, and a strong customer-oriented mindset.
- Reliable, self-motivated, and driven to achieve success.
- Willingness to travel both domestically and internationally as needed.
STEMHUNTER is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. We comply with all applicable equal employment opportunity and affirmative action regulations.
