Control Systems Engineer in West Jordan, Utah at Quality Electrical Systems

Overview

The Control Systems Engineer designs and validates PLC-based automation and control systems for complex industrial electrical equipment. This role is responsible for ensuring control system architecture, PLC logic, and electrical control designs are fully engineered and validated before hardware fabrication begins, ensuring systems operate as specified during testing and commissioning.

As part of the Product Development team, the Control Systems Engineer contributes to continuous improvement by developing PLC programming standards, participating in design reviews, and supporting root cause analysis of control system nonconformances. This role owns PLC logic standards across active projects, develops electrical control schematics that align with company standards, identifies technical feasibility issues early in the design process, and validates systems through simulation before hardware deployment.

Reporting to the Product Development Manager, this position works closely with Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Systems Engineering, Test Engineering, Supply Chain, and the broader Product Development team to ensure control systems are technically sound, complete, and fully validated before transitioning to manufacturing. The Manufacturing Engineering team is responsible for floor-level commissioning, troubleshooting, and production support, while the Control Systems Engineer owns the engineering design, architecture, and validation that everything downstream depends on.

Key Responsibilities
Control System Architecture & Design
Develop control strategies that translate customer requirements and mechanical/electrical designs into executable PLC logic and electrical control schematics.
Design electrical control schematics and control panel wiring, including specification of PLCs, I/O modules, safety relays, motor starters, sensors, and associated hardware.
Ensure all electrical control documentation is production-ready prior to manufacturing release.
Validate control system feasibility during design milestones by identifying architectural issues, hardware conflicts, sensor integration concerns, and logic complexity before detailed engineering investment.
Document control system architecture, control flow diagrams, I/O specifications, timing requirements, interlocks, safety logic, and engineering decisions for manufacturing release.
PLC Programming & Logic Development
Develop PLC programs using ladder logic, structured text, and function block programming across multiple PLC platforms.
Write maintainable, well-structured, and well-documented PLC code that supports long-term serviceability.
Validate PLC logic using simulation and test environments prior to hardware deployment.
Verify logic sequencing, timing, safety interlocks, and operational edge cases before production.
Troubleshoot control system issues during Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT) and commissioning activities.
Maintain and update legacy PLC systems based on reliability requirements and project priorities.
PLC Standards & Continuous Improvement
Develop, maintain, and improve PLC programming standards, including coding structure, naming conventions, commenting practices, function block libraries, revision control, and platform-specific best practices.
Participate in engineering design reviews to verify compliance with PLC standards and encourage component and logic reuse.
Perform root cause analysis on control system nonconformances using QES Root Cause Analysis methodologies.
Identify opportunities to improve PLC standards, engineering documentation, and design consistency.
Document control system assumptions, operational constraints, timing requirements, and embedded logic dependencies.
Contribute to the QES Engineering Handbook by developing standards related to PLC architecture, programming, testing, and validation.
Cross-Functional Engineering Support
Collaborate with Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, and Systems Engineering during product development.
Identify long-lead control hardware requirements and communicate procurement needs to Supply Chain.
Partner with Test Engineering to define Factory Acceptance Test (FAT) procedures, acceptance criteria, and testing methodologies.
Coordinate with Manufacturing and BOM teams to ensure control hardware specifications match engineering documentation and installed equipment.
Represent control system quality and technical feasibility during cross-functional design reviews.
Testing, Commissioning & Validation
Participate in Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT) to validate PLC logic and electrical control system performance.
Support occasional customer site commissioning and startup activities.
Troubleshoot startup issues and verify system performance in customer operating environments.
Document commissioning results, as-built PLC logic, parameter changes, tuning records, and lessons learned for future continuous improvement.
Knowledge & Experience Requirements
Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Controls Engineering, or a related technical discipline, or equivalent hands-on experience with PLC programming, electrical control design, and industrial automation.
Working proficiency programming PLCs using Ladder Logic, Structured Text, and Function Block programming.
Experience designing or troubleshooting industrial electrical control systems, including control panel design, motor control circuits, safety interlocks, sensor integration, and electrical control systems.
Familiarity with industrial automation platforms such as Siemens, Allen-Bradley, Schneider Electric, IDEC, or similar systems.
Demonstrated ability to design maintainable PLC programs with clear documentation and coding standards.
Ability to work independently with Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Test Engineering, Manufacturing, and Supply Chain teams.
Preferred Qualifications
Experience designing control systems for custom electrical equipment manufacturing or Engineer-to-Order (ETO) environments.
Experience programming multiple PLC platforms and supporting legacy automation systems.
Experience in continuous improvement, quality engineering, or design engineering.
Familiarity with AutoCAD Electrical, EPLAN, or similar electrical CAD software.
Experience supporting Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT), commissioning, and field troubleshooting.
Familiarity with engineering design analysis tools such as Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA), Design for Manufacturability (DFM), or equivalent methodologies.
Experience performing root cause analysis using 5-Why, Fishbone, 8D, A3, or similar problem-solving methods.
Core Competencies & Skills
Core Competencies
Ownership of PLC programming, control system architecture, and electrical control system design.
Systems thinking with the ability to understand how automation integrates with mechanical, electrical, manufacturing, and supply chain functions.
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills focused on preventing issues during design rather than during commissioning.
Continuous improvement mindset with the ability to identify trends, reduce nonconformances, and improve engineering standards.
Excellent collaboration skills with cross-functional engineering, manufacturing, quality, and supply chain teams.
Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to explain technical concepts to multiple audiences.
High attention to detail and commitment to engineering documentation accuracy.
Technical Skills
PLC Programming (Ladder Logic, Structured Text, Function Block Programming)
Multi-platform PLC programming (Siemens, Allen-Bradley, Schneider Electric, IDEC, or equivalent)
Electrical control system design and schematic development
PLC simulation, testing, and validation tools
Legacy PLC system support
AutoCAD Electrical, EPLAN, or equivalent electrical CAD software (preferred)
Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, Outlook)
Root Cause Analysis methodologies (5-Why, Fishbone, 8D) (preferred)
Safety-critical control system design (IEC 61508/61511 exposure preferred)
Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT) and commissioning support
Why Join QES?

At Quality Electrical Systems, you'll work in a fast-paced engineering and manufacturing environment developing complex custom electrical equipment, including medium-voltage switchgear, mission-critical power distribution centers (PDCs), industrial E-Houses, and other engineered power solutions for customers across the energy, data center, and industrial markets.

As a foundational member of the Product Development team, you'll help establish the PLC standards, control system architecture, and automation frameworks that will support future product development across the organization. This role offers the opportunity to make a lasting impact by reducing commissioning delays, improving engineering quality, minimizing nonconformances, and building scalable automation solutions while working alongside talented engineering and manufacturing professionals committed to innovation, accountability, and continuous improvement.