Controls Engineer I, II, or III

Why join the IPS Team

IPS Custom Automation is a leading provider of advanced manufacturing solutions for the defense and energetics industries. We specialize in the design engineering and integration of turnkey production lines for energetics materials and munitions. Our solutions serve government agencies military contractors and defense OEMs worldwide.

Who Our New Team Member Will Be:

We are seeking a Controls Engineer (I II or III level) who can independently lead complex automation and controls work supporting commercial and U.S. Department of War (DoW) programs. This role applies broad technical experience to design integrate commission and improve industrial control systems while meeting ISO standards federal regulations company policies and customer requirements. The Controls Engineer III serves as a senior technical contributor leads defined project scopes reviews the work of other engineers and mentors less experienced team members.

What Our Controls Engineer I II or III will do:

Essential Job Functions/Duties

Works with the Controls Engineering Manager and project leadership to define Controls Engineering scope develop estimates and schedules own assigned work packages and track commitments through completion

Develops hardware-agnostic controls solutions that support machine safety functionality cycle time quality maintainability cybersecurity reliability and total installed cost

Leads controls design reviews for assigned systems and clearly communicates architecture sequence of operations design rationale risks trade-offs and recommendations

Works with Mechanical Engineering Electrical Engineering Supply Chain Manufacturing Quality and Field Service to coordinate interfaces component selection procurement assembly testing and installation

Analyzes customer process safety mechanical electrical instrumentation network and cybersecurity requirements and converts them into complete controls specifications functional descriptions and test criteria

Applies and improves controls architecture programming standards reusable software code-review practices simulation methods and engineering tools

Designs programs integrates and validates PLC and safety PLC systems HMI and SCADA applications motion control VFD and servo systems industrial networks instrumentation machine vision robotics and data interfaces appropriate to the assigned scope

Maintains accurate project records and supports controls-related Engineering Change Requests (ECRs) Engineering Change Orders (ECOs) and Engineering Change Notices (ECNs)

Leads targeted improvements to controls workflows in alignment with ISO 9001 configuration management functional safety validation and continuous-improvement principles

Creates and updates electrical and controls deliverables using AutoCAD Electrical or equivalent tools including control panel schematics network drawings I/O lists bills of material cable schedules and installation details; maintains revisions in the Product Data Management (PDM) system

Creates and updates Operations and Maintenance (O&M) content for controls systems including sequences alarm descriptions backup and restore procedures troubleshooting guidance and recommended spare parts

Leads panel checkout software integration FAT SAT commissioning startup and production support for assigned systems; diagnoses and resolves complex controls issues

Provides technical direction reviews software and drawings mentors junior engineers and ensures assigned deliverables meet design intent project requirements and applicable standards

Performs other job duties as assigned and deemed appropriate by management

Travels as required

Has the ability to obtain and maintain a USG security clearance

Minimum Qualifications

Controls Engineer I:

o Bachelors Degree in Electrical Engineering Controls Engineering Automation Engineering Mechatronics or a related discipline with at least 2 years of controls design programming integration and commissioning experience OR

o High school diploma or equivalent with at least 5 years of progressive industrial controls design programming integration and commissioning experience

Controls Engineer II:

o Bachelors Degree in Electrical Engineering Controls Engineering Automation Engineering Mechatronics or a related discipline with at least 3 years of controls design programming integration and commissioning experience OR

o High school diploma or equivalent with at least 8 years of progressive industrial controls design programming integration and commissioning experience

Controls Engineer III:

o Bachelors Degree in Electrical Engineering Controls Engineering Automation Engineering Mechatronics or a related discipline with at least 5 years of controls design programming integration and commissioning experience OR

o High school diploma or equivalent with at least 12 years of progressive industrial controls design programming integration and commissioning experience

Technical Skills:

o Proficiency in MS Office products (Word Outlook Teams) specifically Excel and PowerPoint

o Demonstrated ability to manage the scope schedule budget risk and technical execution of assigned controls work packages

o Advanced proficiency with PLC and safety PLC programming HMI and SCADA development industrial networks motion control VFDs servos instrumentation machine safety and systematic troubleshooting

o Ability to create and interpret control panel schematics network architecture drawings I/O lists bills of material cable schedules panel layouts and field installation documentation using AutoCAD Electrical or equivalent tools

o Working knowledge of configuration control and Engineering Change Management processes (ECR/ECO/ECN)

o Working knowledge of NFPA 70 NFPA 79 UL 508A and machine-safety practices; familiarity with ISO 13849 IEC 62061 or IEC 61508 as applicable

o Experience leading software simulation I/O checkout FAT SAT commissioning validation and root-cause analysis using disciplined test and issue-tracking methods

o Ability to create clear technical documentation including controls narratives functional descriptions software design documents test procedures O&M manuals training materials and engineering reports

Cultural Fit:

o Technical ownership sound judgment and willingness to mentor others

o Ability to effectively communicate technical concepts to both technical and non-technical audiences both verbally and in written format (i.e. delivering presentations)

o Proven ability to review work and mentor less experienced engineers

o Ability to work effectively in cross-functional teams

o High attention to detail

o Ability to solve problems and identify solutions

o Curiosity and Lifelong Learning: A desire to continually learn and explore new approaches and technologies

o Desire for Continuous Improvement: Actively seek opportunities for process improvement driving change in the organization

Preferred Qualifications

Experience with major controls platforms such as Rockwell Automation Siemens Schneider Electric Beckhoff Mitsubishi Electric Omron ABB Emerson or Honeywell with the ability to select and support solutions based on project requirements rather than a single vendor ecosystem

Experience with industrial communications and integration technologies such as EtherNet/IP PROFINET EtherCAT Modbus TCP OPC UA MQTT SQL historians MES and plant or enterprise data interfaces

Experience with defense energetics hazardous-location robotic high-speed automation or other highly regulated manufacturing systems including secure remote support and controlled software deployment

Physical Demands and Work Environment:

Environment is neutral with low to moderate noise exposure is semi-seated position requiring the extended use of a computer and computer equipment

The employee is frequently required to stand walk reach lift with arms and hands (25 lbs or less) climb or balance stoop kneel crouch or crawl.

Our team gains more than just compensation with IPS:

401K with company match

Medical/Dental/Vision Insurance

PTO

Life and Accidental Death Insurance

Development and Career Growth Opportunities

Please contact:

Human Resources at

Interview Plan: Initial Teams meeting with HR or Hiring Manager (shared screen with no AI assistance required) followed by small in person panel interview. Other interviews may be required as needed.

Equal Employment Opportunity

IPS and all SONIN LLC affiliates are committed to fostering an inclusive workplace where diverse perspectives and experiences are valued. We are proud to consider all qualified applicants for employment without regard to race color religion sex pregnancy family status marital status sexual orientation national origin disability age veteran status or any other status protected by applicable law.

We believe that diverse experiences perspectives and backgrounds contribute to innovation and help us solve real-world problems.

Reasonable Accommodation

IPS is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities throughout the employment application process. Applicants who require an accommodation may contact the Human Resources Team at .

Required Experience:

IC