Industrial Controls & Automation Engineer

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Qualdoc seeks an Industrial Controls & Automation Engineer for a contract-to-hire onsite role in Ashland, VA with a Monday–Friday schedule and pay around $39 per hour; you will design, program, and commission electrical control systems for material handling, lead PLC and HMI/SCADA work, select VFDs and safety devices, and ensure CMAA, NFPA 70 and ASME B30 compliance during startup. The ideal candidate has a bachelor’s in Electrical or Controls Engineering or related field and at least five years in controls, hands-on PLC, HMI/SCADA, VFDs, motor controls, schematics, and industrial networks (EtherNet/IP or Modbus), plus crane motion knowledge. Preferred crane automation and cross functional collaboration. Apply with a resume highlighting crane projects, safety and compliance outcomes, and readiness for onsite work and travel.

Industrial Controls & Automation Engineer

Location: Ashland, VA (Onsite)
Job Type: Contract-to-Hire
Schedule: Monday–Friday | 7:00 AM–4:00 PM
Starting Pay: From $39.00 per hour (higher compensation may be available based on experience)
Overtime: Not Available

Position Overview

We are seeking an Industrial Controls & Automation Engineer to support the design, programming, and commissioning of electrical control systems for material handling equipment and industrial automation applications. This onsite role involves developing new control solutions, enhancing existing systems, and providing technical expertise during installation, startup, and long-term equipment support.

The ideal candidate has experience with PLC programming, industrial electrical controls, automation systems, and manufacturing operations.

Key Responsibilities

Controls Engineering

• Design electrical control systems for overhead cranes and other material handling equipment.
• Develop, modify, and troubleshoot PLC programs, HMI interfaces, and control logic.
• Prepare electrical schematics, wiring diagrams, and control panel layouts.
• Select and integrate electrical components, including Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs), relays, sensors, motor controls, and safety devices.
• Ensure control system designs comply with CMAA, NFPA 70 (NEC), and ASME B30 standards.

Startup & Commissioning

• Support equipment installation, startup, testing, and commissioning activities.
• Configure and troubleshoot PLCs, VFDs, and industrial communication networks.
• Verify system performance and optimize control systems before production use.

Technical Support

• Diagnose electrical and automation issues affecting equipment performance.
• Assist maintenance and field service teams with advanced troubleshooting.
• Support equipment upgrades, modernization efforts, and control system retrofit projects.

Project Collaboration

• Work closely with engineers, technicians, and project managers throughout project execution.
• Provide technical guidance and mentoring to team members as needed.
• Participate in continuous improvement initiatives focused on increasing equipment reliability, productivity, and overall system performance.

Required Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Controls Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent industry experience.
Minimum of five years of controls engineering experience, preferably involving overhead cranes or other heavy industrial equipment.
Hands-on experience with:
• PLC programming (Allen-Bradley, Siemens, or similar platforms)
• HMI and SCADA systems
• Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs)
• Motor control systems
• Ability to create, review, and interpret electrical schematics, wiring diagrams, and control documentation.
• Experience with industrial communication protocols such as EtherNet/IP, Modbus, or similar networks.
• Understanding of crane motion control systems, including hoist, trolley, and bridge operations.
• Working knowledge of CMAA, NFPA 70 (NEC), and ASME B30 standards.

Preferred Qualifications

Experience with crane automation technologies, including anti-sway systems or load monitoring controls.
Background in industrial system integration, equipment startup, and commissioning.
Strong troubleshooting, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
Ability to work safely in industrial manufacturing environments, including elevated work areas when necessary.
Strong communication skills with the ability to collaborate across engineering, production, and service teams.

Work Environment

• Full-time onsite position in an industrial manufacturing facility.
• Occasional travel to customer locations or project sites may be required.