Principal Systems Engineer

Carlton Industrial Solutions•Greensboro, NC

23h•$100,000 - $120,000•Onsite

About The Position

The purpose of the role of Principal Systems Engineer is to design and integrate innovative control systems that improve the outcomes, operations, and brands of CIS customers and to lead the project teams that bring these solutions to life. This role will lead complex technical projects, working with cross-functional teams, and translating customer needs and requirements into system designs that deliver productive, predictable, and profitable results. This role will also serve as a subject matter expert (SME) and team mentor guide for support of other engineers and team members. The scope of these projects varies greatly; no two days and no two projects are ever the same as we bring value to an incredibly wide range of industrial customers across the Mid-Atlantic and Southeastern US. This role will provide systems design leadership, project leadership, and technical support across various engineering disciplines, which include, but are not limited to electrical, mechanical, or other embedded systems found in production environments. CIS leverages its proprietary stage-gate development process to guide the project development process – Accelerated System Development (ASD). There are (5) key priorities for this role: Successful pre-design and quote execution – Milestones (MS) 1-2b Creating successful, reliable solutions post-PO – MS3a-MS5 Exceptional Accelerated Solution Development (ASD) Execution (Process Discipline) Critical business support (Enable Business Growth) Best Team Wins (Cultural Growth)

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics, or a related field (or equivalent experience) with at least 7-10 years of related, hands-on development systems integration experience Less experience may be acceptable based upon range and depth of experience, education, training, and application knowledge
Must have hands-on, working knowledge of engineering disciplines, including: mechanical, electrical, software, systems and integration design, CAD, and structural science Training, education and experience with electronics and electrical theory and application of the National Electrical Code (NEC); familiar with other relevant standards found in industrial applications (rated areas, hazardous applications, UL, State Weights & Measure, etc.) Able to recognize and plan for specific safety hazards related to specific jobs and tasks
Mid to high-level proficiency with CAD SW applications for 2D and 3D drafting and modeling Ability to read and interpret electrical and mechanical schematics; experience developing P&ID and control panel designs Experience troubleshooting and diagnosing electrical control systems as well as other electromechanical HW and SW systems
Proficient in using electrical and mechanical design software to create and assess engineering drawings, with expertise in employing engineering tools to validate designs and resolve issues Experience selecting, managing, and servicing industrial control systems and automation equipment (PLC, SCADA, HMI, etc.)
Proficiency in network protocols, communication standards and respective analysis tools (e.g., CAN, Ethernet, USB, TCP/IP, UART, I2C, GPIO) High experience and comfort with digital administrative workplace tools is required (MS Office, Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint, ERP systems, CRM systems, and various other digital applications needed to execute workflows in a service company). Experience with service work order fulfillment and supporting processes is highly desirable
Ability to travel overnight across the Mid-Atlantic (and across Carlton’s growing footprint) 25% of the time for in-person efforts as needed; travel may be higher or lower based on needs The position is based in the corporate office and requires in-office reporting; actual work locations will vary based on customer needs and projects to include working remotely, in-offices, and in customer environments
Ability to sit for extended periods during the workday; this includes the need to travel to support CIS customer sites, as required Professional appearance, demeanor, and communication is always required Ability to use a computer, phone, and other office equipment for prolonged periods. This role will be expected to provide billable service at times to support business objectives; at times this role may be working with or in support of CIS service technicians
Occasional lifting of up to 50 pounds (e.g., office supplies or files, light/medium work tools to support field needs). Ability to communicate effectively in person, over the phone, and via email or virtual meetings. Self-starter capable of working independently with little or no direct supervision; equally capable and effective working in teams and groups. Strong interpersonal, presentation, verbal, and written communication skills Highly organized and highly attentive to detail – essential Strong technical background with strong experience communicating with highly diverse teams Driven, self-motivated, and deadline-driven; committed to follow-through. Someone who enjoys learning new things, particularly technical details, and processes. Adaptable: comfortable in a fast-paced, dynamic environment, with changes in priority Solutions-focused thinker: creative, collaborative, and seeks mutually beneficial solutions. Must be able to perform repetitive hand movements, such as typing and using a mouse, for extended periods. Must have thorough knowledge of hand tools, power tools, hydraulic tools, and pneumatic controlled devices with the capability to use them to develop customer solutions Able to read digital & analog indicated meters and weighing devices. Must maintain a valid driver’s license and be capable of occasionally driving up to 8 hours per day Must be able to occasionally bend, stoop, crawl, reach, and twist to assist with installations. Must be able to work in different conditions including but not limited to: hot, cold, wet, humid. May involve occasionally working at heights to support customer projects

Nice To Haves

The ideal candidate will have experience within regulated industries that involve the development, creation, deployment, and service of new solutions.
The ideal candidate has weighing and measuring knowledge and experience

Responsibilities

Ensure all projects are designed and manufactured to support all required standards and codes to ensure safety and compliance all times. These include recognized bodies such as the National Electrical Code (NEC) standards or other related standards to ensure technical compliance.
Serve as a Technical & Project Leader for Carlton Automation projects. Projects may range from the integration of developed subsystems, development of new technology or solutions, field upgrades, integration of new HW/SW into existing technology ecosystems, or field support projects on legacy systems. Weighing, filling, batching, counting, inventory management, quality management, and material handling are common applications for Carlton Automation systems AC/DC variable speed drives, conveyors, printers and bar-code scanners, and other components such as cameras, RF readers, etc. may be utilized in customer projects Operator identification systems may be needed and include the management of sensitive information (payment, personal, company, etc.) Customers may want to discuss “how do I or how could I,” which is focused on improving some level of productivity in their operations or making larger scope changes Projects may range greatly in overall duration: weeks to > 1yr Project scopes and requirements can vary greatly depending on customer needs and this role will need to possess a wide range of hands-on technical experience around all aspects of engineering, design, vendor management, service, manufacturability, integration, testing, installation, and post-installation support.
Project Management is an essential component of this role. As a smaller, growth-focused Operating Company, our Principal System Engineers are counted upon to manage all aspects of development projects, guided by ASD. Examples: Collaboration with Sales to define customer needs and technical requirements Work breakdown structure (WBS) development, risk management, and project estimation Create electrical diagrams, electrical schematics, and other project planning documents Developing 2D/3D CAD files in required customer formats and for incorporation into other system documentation and visualization tools (AutoCAD preferred) Design, identify, and fabricate metal framing, panels, enclosures, and related support systems and other HW components as needed Develop manuals, troubleshooting guides, or other project documentation with teams Risk management planning and test plan development Collaborate with Sales to understand the Value Creation process and how best to maximize the Go-to-Market (GTM) strategy for each project Closely partner with Sales, Customers, and Service Operations to accurately and intentionally develop customer requirements, which may mean starting from scratch with someone to create something that has never existed Efficiently lead and collaborate with core team to document and interpret Voice of the Customer (VOC) information and to translate into Technical Requirements Efficiently research vendor options and manage the selection process to support project reqs Collaborate with CIS Shared Services Teams to secure price estimates and to negotiate favorable pricing and terms following PO acceptance by Sales Support CIS Field Support Escalation process as assigned and required; troubleshooting is often billable and in partnership with local branch teams and Service Technicians
Ensure compliance with all CIS Safety, Employee Handbook, or Quality Control Standards, including any applicable codes, standards, or other related requirements applicable to project design
Ensure Safety, Reliability, and Customer requirements are met, all projects, every time; ensure objective traceability throughout the project life cycle with customer alignment
Ensure all engineering and technical standards and requirements are defined, understood and achieved throughout all projects based on applications, codes, and project needs (i.e. National Electrical Code (NEC), UL or other safety organizations, National Institute of Standards & Technology (NIST), Department of Weights & Measures, and any other codes or standards based on application or project requirements)
Serve as a leader for C10 through all actions, in all situations, every day. Ensure compliance with CIS proprietary Accelerated System Development (ASD) milestone-based project development process to manage all project requirements
Ensure that project risks are identified proactively and countermeasures deployed Time is of the essence; ensure on-time execution of all deliverables to support schedules
Trustworthy: Confidentiality must be maintained at all times Must be mindful and aware of commercial and financial impacts of decisions; able to document and present both technical and financial information with various stakeholders
Ensure all project information and activities are organized, professional, and presented logically and efficiently; able to navigate sensitive situations with customers, on-the-fly Demonstrate a positive attitude and a commitment to execution and change management. Develop and maintain strong, productive relationships with all project stakeholders
Demonstrate a proactive approach to problem-solving, anticipating needs and addressing challenges before they arise. All action plans must support SMART structure. Provide subject matter expertise, both for planning and technical execution Support all Administrative activities needed Active customer engagement, sales, service, and support, as required Vendor and third-party partner management as needed Stay up to speed on developments in technology that may be relevant in our industry.