Controls Project Engineer

Lincoln Electric is a high-performance industrial machinery and technology leader who helps customers manufacture and maintain vital equipment and infrastructure. Lincoln Electric’s innovative solutions enable higher quality and productivity across a variety of processes including welding, cutting, brazing, machining, process automation, and field repair.

The Company leverages proprietary technologies and expertise in materials science, power electronics, automation, and intelligent software to help customers build better and achieve resilience in their operations. Headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, Lincoln Electric is the essential ‘Linc’ that keeps the economy running.

The Company operates 71 manufacturing and automation facilities across 20 countries and serves customers in over 160 countries. For more information about Lincoln Electric and its products and services, visit the Company’s website at https://www.lincolnelectric.com . Location: Plymouth - 46247 Req ID: 29757 ​ Position Overview If you're looking to apply your controls expertise beyond the traditional automotive environment, this role offers the opportunity to lead sophisticated automation and test system projects across a diverse range of industries.

Rather than supporting high-volume production lines, you'll work on custom-engineered systems, advanced motion control applications, and cutting-edge automated test equipment that present unique technical challenges and meaningful engineering ownership. As a Controls Project Engineer, you'll serve as the technical leader for complex automation projects from concept through customer acceptance.

You will have end-to-end responsibility for controls strategy, electrical systems, software integration, motion control, machine safety, commissioning, and validation, giving you the opportunity to influence every phase of the project lifecycle. Working alongside project managers, mechanical engineers, software developers, manufacturing teams, suppliers, and customers, you'll drive projects that combine innovation, technical problem-solving, and real-world implementation.

This is a highly visible role where your expertise directly impacts system performance, customer satisfaction, project success, and future technology direction. Summary of Essential Job Functions & Duties Serve as the primary technical owner for all controls and electrical aspects of assigned projects. Lead automation and controls engineering activities from concept development through commissioning and customer acceptance.

Define overall controls architecture, technical strategy, and project execution plans.Develop innovative solutions involving PLCs, motion control, machine safety, HMI/SCADA systems, industrial networking, and automated test equipment. Collaborate with multidisciplinary engineering teams to deliver high-performance, reliable systems.

Review customer specifications and translate requirements into robust technical solutions. Identify technical risks early and develop proactive mitigation strategies.Provide technical leadership, mentorship, and guidance to controls engineers and project team members. Support project planning activities including schedules, budgets, resource planning, and cost-to-complete evaluations.

Participate in customer meetings, design reviews, project status discussions, and technical presentations. Manage engineering changes and evolving project requirements while maintaining technical integrity. Oversee electrical design activities including schematics, panel layouts, hardware selection, and bills of material.

Lead development and integration of PLC, HMI, motion control, industrial PC, and automation software platforms. Establish controls standards and approve system architectures covering safety, networking, communications, and control platforms.Direct equipment startup, system integration, commissioning, troubleshooting, and performance optimization.

Develop and execute Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT) and Site Acceptance Testing (SAT) activities. Support validation efforts to ensure systems meet customer, quality, and performance expectations.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science or related technical discipline. Equivalent applicable automation experience may be considered. Experience : Minimum 10 years of experience designing and implementing industrial automation, automated test, or custom machinery systems. Advanced experience with PLC platforms such as Siemens, Rockwell, Beckhoff, or equivalent.

Strong motion control experience including servo systems, VFDs, and multi-axis coordinated motion. Understanding of machine safety standards and safety control systems. Experience with electrical hardware design, panel layouts, and industrial controls. Solid PC skills with MS Word and MS Excel. Must have appropriate flexibility, sense of urgency, motivation and versatility to make a substantial contribution to the group's success.

Ability to interact with customers and vendors while representing the company in a professional manner. Excellent written and oral communication skills. Ability to travel domestically and internationally approximately 30% Ability to support critical project milestones, startup activities, and customer commitments through schedule flexibility when required.

Candidate must be a U.S. Citizen or U.S. Permanent Resident. Lincoln Electric is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to promoting equal employment opportunity for applicants, without regard to their race, color, national origin, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions, including, but not limited to, lactation), sexual orientation, gender identity, age, veteran status, disability, genetic information, and any other category protected by federal, state, or local law.

Nearest Major Market: Detroit Job Segment: Testing, Computer Science, Machinist, Welding, Technology, Manufacturing <div