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Controls Engineering Manager

PRAB

Job Location:

Kalamazoo, MI - USA

Monthly Salary: Not provided by the employer

Posted: 21 August 2026 (14 hours ago)

Application Deadline: 18 November 2026

Vacancies: 1 Vacancy

Job Summary

The Controls Engineering Manager leads Hapmans Controls Engineering team in designing and supporting electrical control systems for standard products and engineered material handling solutions. This role provides technical and people leadership across electrical design controls architecture PLC/HMI programming product development project execution estimating and engineering standards. The position partners closely with Sales Mechanical Engineering Manufacturing Customer Service and Purchasing to deliver innovative reliable automation solutions and an exceptional customer experience. This leader also drives engineering efficiency by implementing modern engineering tools automation and AI where they improve productivity and quality.

Reports To: Director of Engineering

Qualifications

Bachelors degree in Electrical Engineering Electrical Engineering Technology Automation Engineering or related field (or equivalent experience)
5 years of industrial controls engineering experience preferably with custom equipment or process automation
Previous engineering leadership experience or demonstrated ability to lead technical teams
Strong knowledge of PLC programming HMI development industrial networking controls architecture and electrical system design
Experience with electrical panels component selection documentation and applicable electrical codes
Experience supporting quotations estimating and customer-facing technical discussions
Excellent project management communication and organizational skills
Proven ability to coach mentor and develop engineers
Proficient using AI tools to improve research engineering productivity and technical problem solving
Experience developing AI-enabled engineering tools or applications is a plus

General Responsibilities

Lead mentor and develop a high-performing Controls Engineering team.
Oversee electrical design PLC programming HMI development testing and implementation.
Establish engineering standards for controls architecture programming documentation reusable software and component selection.
Drive standardization to improve quality manufacturability serviceability and profitability.
Manage department priorities schedules resources and project execution.
Provide technical leadership on complex customer applications product development and troubleshooting.
Support Sales through estimating proposal development scope definition and technical presentations.
Collaborate with Engineering Manufacturing Customer Service Purchasing and Sales to improve products and processes.
Recruit develop and retain engineering talent while building future department capabilities.
Champion engineering productivity through automation AI and modern engineering tools including internal AI applications.
Build strong relationships with customers suppliers and technology partners.
Travel as needed to support customer meetings FATs commissioning and strategic projects.

Leadership Expectations
The Controls Engineering Manager will:
Build a culture of technical excellence accountability and continuous improvement.
Balance innovation with practical standardized engineering solutions.
Improve engineering efficiency through better processes automation AI and reusable designs.
Develop future engineering leaders through coaching and delegation.
Stay current on automation technologies AI capabilities and industry trends.