Company Description
Working at Knobelsdorff (KE)
Along with building state-of-the-art projects, we build meaningful careers, lasting opportunities, and teams of dedicated individuals who truly own their work. As a leading turnkey specialty contractor specializing in Automation, Electric, Energy, and Power Services, our team tackles challenging, cutting-edge projects that provide opportunities to build new skills, confidence, and gain valuable hands-on experience in a variety of different industries. We tackle industrial electrical installations, advanced automation systems, and renewable energy solutions.
Since our founding as a family-owned company in 1988, we've grown while staying true to our core value. Starting your career with KE means joining a culture that values your contributions, moves quickly, takes calculated risks, and celebrates team members who step up and own their work.
If you're ready to join a team where your voice matters, your growth is supported, and your impact is celebrated, KE is the place for you.
Job Description
Job Purpose
This role supports KE Automation by leading PLC application engineering for complex industrial automation and mission-critical projects. You’ll be responsible for designing, programming, testing, and commissioning reliable control systems that directly impact operational performance, equipment reliability, and customer success. Success in this role means delivering maintainable, well-documented control solutions while mentoring engineering teams and ensuring systems perform as intended throughout the project lifecycle, all while upholding KE’s commitment to Safety, People, Passion, and Performance. If you're someone who enjoys solving technical challenges and leading projects from concept through startup, this position is built for you.
What You'll Do
You’ll be part of a team that gets things done, works with purpose, and takes pride in the results. Your day-to-day responsibilities may include:
- Lead the development of PLC functional designs based on process requirements and customer needs
- Design and program structured PLC applications using established standards and reusable components
- Define operating sequences, interlocks, permissives, fault responses, and control strategies
- Coordinate PLC integration with instrumentation, drives, remote I/O, and packaged equipment
- Collaborate with SCADA and network engineers to support reliable system communications
- Develop and execute testing plans, including simulation, FAT, SAT, and commissioning activities
- Review PLC applications developed by other engineers and provide technical mentorship
- Troubleshoot software, electrical interface, and field device issues during startup and operation
- Manage software versions, system changes, backups, and release processes
- Provide engineering estimates, project updates, and technical guidance throughout project execution
- Prepare handover documentation, source code backups, test records, and as-built packages
- Support continuous improvement of engineering standards, libraries, and development practices
Qualifications
What You Bring
You’re someone who shows up ready to work hard, learn fast, and contribute to a team that takes pride in doing things right. Successful candidates typically bring:
- 7+ years of PLC or industrial controls engineering experience, including technical leadership responsibilities
- Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Automation, Controls Engineering, Mechatronics, or a related field, or equivalent industry experience
- Experience leading PLC projects through design, testing, commissioning, and startup
- Strong PLC programming experience, including sequencing, interlocks, fault handling, and equipment control
- Experience with instrumentation, VFDs, remote I/O, packaged equipment, and industrial control systems
- Experience integrating PLCs with SCADA platforms and industrial networks
- Strong troubleshooting, testing, code review, and configuration management skills
- Excellent communication, documentation, collaboration, and mentoring abilities
Pay Range
We believe in paying for the value you bring to the team, and we aim to be competitive in every market we hire in.
Pay Range: $147,753.00-$162,291.00 per year
Total Rewards Statement
As a full-time employee at KE, you'll have access to a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your health, wellbeing, and future.
- 100% employer-paid health and dental coverage for employees
- HSA contributions to support your medical expenses
- Company-paid life insurance and disability coverage
- 401(k) with competitive company match
- Paid weekly with competitive wages
- PTO, six paid holidays, and education reimbursement
- Exclusive employee discounts through Working Advantage
We believe your work should be rewarded with more than just a paycheck. At KE, we invest in your total wellbeing.
Physical Requirements
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be provided for individuals with disabilities.
Typical requirements may include:
- Ability to sit, stand, walk, kneel, and stoop for extended periods
- Ability to navigate manufacturing facilities and customer project sites, including stairs and uneven surfaces
- Ability to carry laptops, project documentation, and equipment needed for site visits
- Ability to wear required PPE while working in industrial environments
- Ability to travel to customer and project sites as needed
Accessibility: If you need accommodations as part of the employment process, please contact KE Human Resources at [email protected].
Equal Opportunity Employer (EEO)
KE is an EEO to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, marital status, citizenship, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic under applicable federal, state, or local law.
Applicants have rights under Federal Employment Laws:
- EEO is the Law (English/Spanish)
KE E-Verify
KE participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the United States. For more information about E-Verify, please review the E-Verify Participation and Right to Work posters.
If you need accommodation during the hiring process, let us know and we’ll work with you.
