Senior Controls Engineer

About the Role

As a Senior Controls Engineer, you’ll lead end-to-end controls delivery for complex material handling systems, from early concept and component selection through programming, commissioning, and customer handoff. You’ll be a key contributor on high-profile projects, trusted to design reliable, scalable automation solutions and solve problems in real time, both on the floor and in the field.

Beyond project execution, you’ll help shape the future of DCS’s controls capabilities by influencing standards, reusable tools, and how the team works together. If you enjoy owning technical outcomes, mentoring others, and pushing controls design forward, this role is built for you.

What You’ll Do

Lead controls design and execution across multiple material handling projects

Develop electrical designs including field device layouts, control panel designs, and electrical schematics using AutoCAD Electrical or EPLAN

Select components, design control networks, develop BOMs, and validate equipment selections

Program PLCs and develop HMI/SCADA solutions

Commission and debug systems on-site; support testing, startup, and validation activities

Provide technical support during installation and perform field troubleshooting as needed

Deliver projects on time, within scope, and to customer expectations

Contribute to the development and maintenance of controls standards, templates, and reusable code libraries

Lead or support R&D efforts and internal initiatives to expand controls capabilities

Partner with vendors to evaluate and implement new technologies

Identify value-engineering opportunities without compromising system performance

Serve as a senior technical contributor on cross-functional project teams (Project Management, Mechanical, Field, etc.)

Mentor junior engineers and actively share knowledge across the Controls team

Participate in controls team initiatives, process improvements, and tool development

Support recruiting efforts and provide feedback on technology and software vendors

Communicate clearly and proactively with project teams and leadership

Represent DCS professionally during site visits, customer meetings, and supplier interactions

Contribute to a collaborative, accountable team culture

Participate in weekly controls meetings and internal training sessions

We’re Excited About You Because

You bring 10+ years of relevant experience (or 14+ years without a degree), ideally within material handling or industrial automation

You have advanced PLC programming skills and strong HMI/SCADA development experience

You understand industrial networking architectures and communication protocols

You’re confident designing control panels and selecting electrical components

You’re mechanically inclined and comfortable moving between design work and field environments

You’re resourceful, self-directed, and enjoy tackling complex technical challenges

You collaborate well, communicate clearly, and take ownership of outcomes

You can manage multiple fast-moving projects without losing attention to detail

You’re willing and able to travel up to 50%, depending on project needs

About Us:

Conveyor may be in our name, but it’s only part of what we do. DCS was founded in 1982 and has grown to serve major clients in multiple industries by providing material handling, full-scale warehouse operations and conveyor design solutions that are custom crafted for their need. We don’t sell ready-made systems - we build relationships that empower us to craft custom solutions together. It’s the teamwork approach, sharing ideas and building upon them, that produces the best results.

And DCS is committed to creating an extraordinary employment experience for our team. We work like crazy to hire and develop great people, build relationships, and ensure that the programs and services we offer our team are among the best in the business- from a killer snack wall and casual work environment to flexible PTO and opportunities to give back within the community.

More reasons to join our team:

We pride ourselves in our family-like culture and casual, but focused, work environment

We offer competitive salaries and health benefits

Our 401K program includes a 100% match up to 5%

Participation in our Discretionary Profit-Sharing Program

We offer our employees flexibility and autonomy

We do community outreach projects throughout the year

We know how to throw company events

We work hard, but we also know how to have fun - darts, anyone?

Individuals seeking employment at Designed Conveyor Systems are considered without regards to race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, marital status, ancestry, physical or mental disability, veteran status, gender identity, or sexual orientation. Accommodation is available to applicants with a disability condition, when applying, testing, or interviewing for a position. Please let us know if you need accommodation.