Controls Engineer I

Summary 

Coordinates electrical and controls related engineering activities of outside suppliers to assure new product platforms achieve the desired functions, cost and schedule. Designs, builds and debugs systems of electrical, hydraulic, and pneumatic controls for CNC machines, related test equipment and facilities. 

 Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

 External Product Development

• Writes Controls requirements and specifications. Communicates requirements clearly and completely to suppliers.
• Develops validation plans to assure all controls requirements are properly implemented by supplier.
• Develops validation strategies to assure all motion control requirements are met by supplier.
• Uses CE requirements (minimally IEC 60204-1) and NEC code requirements (minimally NFPA 79) to ensure that machine designs comply with these requirements as necessary.
• Creates control diagrams and tables to show the inter-relationships between the various control systems (PLC, NC, IPC) that exist on a machine. Communicates Supplier versus internal responsibilities via this media.

Internal Product Development

• Defines electrical interface specifications. Works closely with System Design Engineers to assure proper motor selection, control and mechanical interfaces.
• Creates or modifies PLC code to solve problems or achieve new functionality.
• Develops interface specifications between the CNC platform and QED software applications.
• Identifies electrical and controls-related spare parts.
• Supports user manual development, cost reduction, and engineering change team efforts.
• Responsible for planning and oversight of test execution, data reduction, and delivery of test reports.
• Develops or uses computer software and hardware to conduct tests on electrical products and systems.
• Confers with scientific, engineering, and technical personnel to resolve testing problems such as product or system malfunctions, incomplete test data and data interpretation.
• Manages cross-functional engineering projects, including development of project goals, project schedule (Gantt chart), resource allocations, and budgets.

Service and Support

• Develops procedures that enable qualified service personnel to perform electrical and control system upgrades; field-optimize machines; troubleshoot machines; install and upgrade new product improvements.
• Supports Software & Service functions as an intermediate user of various control systems; this includes occasional service visits to customers to troubleshoot difficult problems.
• Assists in solving service issues, including complex motion dynamics problems.

Continuous Improvement

Develops control specifications for equipment and upgrades, which logically convey the intended design criteria to machine suppliers and internal customers.

Qualifications To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education and/or Experience 

Bachelor's degree (B. S.) in Electrical Engineering, from a four-year college or university; master’s degree preferred but not required.

Requires a minimum of 1+ years of related experience in engineering or machine controls environment.

Supervisory Responsibilities

This job has no direct supervisory responsibilities. Indirect supervision of lab technicians will be required. 

Language Skills

Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations. Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, and the public. 

Mathematical Skills

Ability to work with mathematical concepts such as probability and statistical inference, and fundamentals of plane and solid geometry and trigonometry. Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations. Basic statistics. Design of experiments preferred.

Computer Skills

To perform this job successfully, an individual should have knowledge of Design software; Development software; Internet software; Project Management software; Spreadsheet software and Word Processing software.

Project Management - Develops project plans; Coordinates projects; Communicates changes and progress; Completes projects on time and budget; Manages project team activities. Develops risk management profiles.

Other Skills and Abilities

Ability to read and write PLC and CNC code.

Adept using oscilloscopes, DVMs, spectrum analyzers.

Integration of mechanical/electrical/motion sensors into experiments and/or products.

Physical Demands The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand and walk. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and ability to adjust focus.

Work Location

The primary work location for this position is QED’s main headquarters, 1040 University Avenue, Rochester, NY 14607. In addition, this position requires frequent visits to QED’s suppliers and machine builders, most of which are also in the Rochester, NY area. Employees may occasionally be permitted to work from home for some tasks, at the discretion of the employee’s manager. This is not a remote position.

Travel, domestically and internationally (<10%), may be required to perform the essential functions of this position.

Equal Opportunity and Work Authorization

QED is an equal opportunity employer and values diversity. As an ITAR-regulated facility, we are unable to provide immigration sponsorship. All applicants must be "US Persons" authorized to work in the United States for any employer without restriction.

The pay range for this role is $65,000-$97,000, based on skills and experience relative to current QED employees in the same job grade.

In addition to base salary, employees may be eligible for an annual performance bonus based on company results and individual goal achievement. Bonuses are not guaranteed.

Pay Equity

The final salary offered will reflect the candidate’s education, experience, and specialized skills, while maintaining internal equity with employees in comparable roles and with similar qualifications.