Control Systems Engineer IV
We are seeking a highly experienced Engineer IV - Control Systems to play a key technical role supporting mission-critical maritime programs for the United States Coast Guard (USCG) and U.S. Navy. This is an exciting opportunity for a seasoned controls engineer to work on complex, high-impact systems that support some of the world's most advanced naval platforms.
In this role, you will be responsible for the design, development, integration, testing, and sustainment of advanced machinery control systems, damage control systems, and networked control architectures across multiple vessel classes. You will serve as a technical leader, tackling challenging controls problems, guiding engineering teams, and helping bring sophisticated control systems from development and testing into operational environments.
Your work will directly support platforms including CVN68 Class, CVN78 Class, Columbia Class, Amphibious Class ships, Foreign Military Sales (FMS) programs, and USCG Cutters.
Key Responsibilities- Design, develop, test, integrate, and troubleshoot PLC-based machinery control systems for complex maritime platforms.
- Support the development and integration of damage control systems and networked control system architectures in shipboard environments.
- Lead troubleshooting and root cause analysis for complex PLC-based control system issues, developing and implementing effective corrective actions.
- Develop, modify, test, and validate PLC code using:
- ControlLogix / Studio 5000
- Siemens SIMATIC Step 7 and/or TIA Portal
- Lead the installation, testing, commissioning, and integration of control systems onboard vessels and within land-based test environments.
- Serve as a technical lead, providing mentorship and technical direction to junior engineers while coordinating engineering activities across multidisciplinary teams.
- Develop and maintain critical technical documentation, including:
- Ship Change Documents (SCDs)
- Test procedures and reports
- System design documentation
- Collaborate directly with government stakeholders, shipbuilders, engineering organizations, and cross-functional teams to resolve technical challenges and ensure system performance, quality, and compliance.
- Support systems throughout their lifecycle, including new development, design modifications, modernization, system upgrades, testing, and sustainment.
- Apply engineering judgment to identify opportunities to improve system reliability, performance, maintainability, and overall mission readiness.
- Bachelor of Science in an Engineering discipline from an accredited college or university.
- 10+ years of professional experience as a control systems engineer.
- 7+ years of experience developing, testing, integrating, and installing PLC software using:
- Rockwell ControlLogix / Studio 5000, and
- Siemens SIMATIC Step 7 or TIA Portal.
- 7+ years of experience troubleshooting PLC-based machinery control systems.
- 5+ years of experience serving in a lead engineer or technical leadership role.
- 3+ years of experience creating Ship Change Documents (SCDs) or equivalent technical documentation.
- Experience supporting naval or maritime platforms, especially:
- Aircraft carriers (CVN68 / CVN78)
- Submarines (Columbia Class)
- Amphibious ships
- USCG cutters
- Familiarity with U.S. Navy or USCG engineering processes, standards, and shipboard environments.
- Experience with networked control systems and industrial communication protocols.
- Prior experience supporting Foreign Military Sales (FMS) programs.
- Experience working directly with shipbuilders, government customers, or other defense/maritime stakeholders.
Why This Opportunity?
This is more than a traditional controls engineering position. You will have the opportunity to apply your expertise to highly complex systems that support critical U.S. maritime missions, while working alongside experienced engineers and technical professionals across the defense and maritime industries.
If you are a senior controls engineer who enjoys solving difficult technical problems, leading engineering efforts, and seeing your work move from design and testing into real-world operational environments, this is an opportunity to make a meaningful impact.
The salary range for this position is between $113,000 - $136,000 annually, depending on experience.
annually, depending on experience.