Senior Controls Engineer

Wunderlich-Malec Engineering is a 100% employee-owned ESOP and one of the largest and most well-established (41 years) engineering companies in the United States - we have a Sr. Controls Engineer position available in Columbia, MD. This person will provide team leadership in delivering automation systems for a wide variety of industries.

As a Sr. Controls Engineer at WM you will become part of a company who is:

• Entrepreneurially-minded, 100% employee-owned company with 41 years of industry history providing engineering and architecture services to our clients.


• A Top 3 Systems Integrator Giant


• ENR top 500 firm at #170

This position requires demonstrated technical proficiency in implementing automation solutions with PLC, DCS, HMI, and SCADA platforms. The Controls Engineer will interact directly with the customer and work with a team of Wunderlich-Malec engineers in identifying requirements, developing specifications, and implementing/testing/commissioning/qualifying automation solutions. This position is a technical leadership and implementation role within the business unit and requires problem-solving ability, well-balanced people skills, an aptitude for business efficiency, and an interest in creating partnerships.

Major Responsibilities

• This position requires the ability to deliver innovative automation solutions and design standards either self-directed or as a technical lead of a team. The candidate must have the ability to conceptualize, detail, and implement control systems for industrial processes that meet our customer’s requirements.  This involves the development of a control system architecture, selecting the components to be used, detailing schematic diagrams and system documentation, programming controllers (PLC, DCS, RTU), programming the process visualization (HMI/SCADA), developing databases for archiving/displaying historical system data and implementing/commissioning the control system at the client’s facility.  Knowledge of controller programming languages such as Ladder, Sequential Function Chart, Structured Text, and others to achieve the desired results is required.  Also having knowledge of standard programming languages such as VBA, .NET, and SQL for the development of HMI/SCADA systems is preferred.


• For larger systems, experience with industrial networking used to connect control system components and instrumentation is preferred. The Controls Engineer would design, detail and implement a variety of fiber, wired and wireless systems using industrial protocols (Ethernet/IP, Profinet, Modbus, etc.).


• This position oftentimes requires the following project management responsibilities: developing project execution plans, work breakdown structures, and associated budgets, task prioritization and scheduling, task ordering, time tracking and reporting, financial tracking and reporting, early problem identification, conflict management/resolution, leading and supporting a team, and attending project status meetings. Also includes overseeing daily operations and activities of a project(s) up to $200k.  This position is often responsible for ensuring the overall profitability of the project.


• The ideal candidate must have a diverse engineering skillset with the ability to work independently. Will act as technical lead on projects and guide lower-level engineers and technicians.  Could also act as Project Manager on smaller projects 

Minimum Requirements

Education Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical/Control Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or Computer Science is required.

Experience Six to 15+ years of experience with capabilities in the below areas is preferred:

• Experience in Life Sciences industry.


• In-depth understanding of PLC hardware/software platforms such Rockwell Automation, Siemens, Modicon.


• In-depth understanding of HMI/SCADA hardware/software platforms such as Iconics Genesis64, Wonderware System Platform, GE Cimplicity, GE iFIX, Rockwell Automation, Siemens.


• Experience mentoring less experienced engineers


• Professional references, preferably one from each of the following: a subordinate, a peer, and a manager.


• Ability to travel up to 25%.

Physical Demands of Position Seeing, color perception, hearing, clear speech, dexterity in hands, driving, lifting, ability to mount/dismount equipment, pushing, and pulling.

Working Environment Standard office environment, on-site office environment, diverse industrial environments, frequent use of a personal computer, facsimile/copy machines, phones.

*Job Descriptions are not exhaustive lists of all skills, responsibilities, or efforts associated with a job.  They reflect principal job elements essential for performing the job and evaluating performance.

Wunderlich-Malec is proud to offer a comprehensive employee-owner benefit package. Full-time employees may be eligible for the following benefits: Medical • Dental • Vision • Basic and Supplemental Life and AD&D • Long Term Disability • Voluntary Short Term Disability • Healthcare & Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts • Health Savings Account • Paid Time Off (PTO) • Paid Holidays • Tuition Reimbursement • Referral Bonus Program • 401(k)/Profit Sharing • 100% ESOP (Employee Stock Ownership Plan) • Employee Assistance Program • Will Preparation Resources • Worldwide Travel Assistance  

Salary Range The expected pay range is $115,000 - $160,000 based on experience and qualifications plus a discretionary bonus and employee stock program. 

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