Controls & Electrical Design Engineer (Industrial Automation)
Location: Greater Olympia, WA Area (Lacey / Tumwater / Shelton)
Job Type: Full-Time, Permanent
Compensation: Competitive Salary + Full Benefits + Travel Allowances
About the Role:
Are you a hands-on engineer who loves bringing massive, complex machinery to life? We are seeking a skilled Controls & Electrical Design Engineer to join our local engineering team. Working alongside a Senior Electrical Engineer, you will own the design, programming, and field implementation of electro-mechanical products used in heavy manufacturing and material handling.
This role offers the perfect mix of high-level CAD design, PLC programming, and field commissioning—including domestic and international travel to support major client installations.
What You’ll Do (Essential Responsibilities):
- Design & Layout: Develop robust electrical layouts for new and revised industrial machinery using AutoCAD or SolidWorks.
- Control Systems: Program PLC systems using ladder logic and design custom control applications for automated industrial use.
- Engineering Calculations: Run critical calculations for circuit designs, conductor sizing, power requirements, and PLC scan times.
- Field Commissioning: Travel to customer sites (domestic and international) to support system start-ups, installations, performance runs, and complex breakdowns.
- Cross-Functional Support: Partner with sales, service, and field technicians by providing precise assembly detail and commercial part numbers.
What We’re Looking For? (Qualifications):
- Education: Associate degree in a technical field (e.g., Automation, Mechatronics, Electrical Technology) required.
- Experience: Minimum 5 years of direct experience designing electro-mechanical equipment for manufacturing environments.
- Industry Focus: Heavy industrial equipment experience required (experience with panel design, wood, pulp, or paper product handling machinery is a huge plus).
- Technical Mastery: Proven proficiency in SolidWorks, AutoCAD, or equivalent CAD software. Deep knowledge of electrical, hydraulic, pneumatic, and motion control systems is mandatory.
- Programming Skills: Strong background in industrial electrical design, specifically ladder logic programming across multiple platforms.
- Travel Ready: Must hold a current United States passport and be willing/able to undertake extended trips for project installations.
- Soft Skills: Excellent written/verbal communication, self-motivated mindset, and the ability to work with minimal supervision in a collaborative team environment.
Why Join Us?
We offer a collaborative engineering department focused on continual machine innovation, a strong pipeline of diverse projects, and the chance to see your designs built and operational across the globe.