Senior Controls Engineer

Boeing·Workday
United StatesFull-timePosted Jun 29, 2026
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Senior Controls Engineer

Company:

The Boeing Company

Boeing is seeking a highly experienced Senior Controls Engineer to support the design, development, commissioning, retrofit, upgrade, and sustainment of PLC-based automated control systems. This position is onsite in Huntsville, Alabama.

This position requires deep technical expertise in industrial automation, strong troubleshooting capabilities, and the ability to lead control system solutions that improve safety, reliability, and operational performance.

The role supports operations at Michoud Assembly Facility and Kennedy Space Center and may require work in industrial, manufacturing, integration, or test environments. Work may involve time on the production floor, inside electrical panels, and around automated equipment. The position may also involve support of specialized test systems for hydraulics and pneumatics, as well as retrofit and upgrade activities in controlled government environments. Occasional off-shift or weekend support may be required.

This is an opportunity to contribute to critical automation and controls efforts in support of Boeing operations. The ideal candidate will bring extensive PLC expertise, aerospace and NASA program experience, and the ability to lead technical execution, develop others, and strengthen sustainment capability in a dynamic environment.

The selected candidate will serve as a technical contributor and subject matter expert for automation and controls activities in support of Boeing operations. This role requires onsite reporting to Boeing Huntsville and will support sites at Michoud Assembly Facility and Kennedy Space Center as needed. Travel is required to meet business and program needs.

Position Responsibilities:

  • Lead the design, programming, integration, testing, commissioning, retrofit, and upgrade of PLC-based automated control systems

  • Support modification and modernization of legacy control systems within controlled government environments

  • Develop and maintain control logic, sequence of operations, alarms, interlocks, and associated HMI/SCADA applications

  • Troubleshoot and resolve complex automation, electrical, and controls issues across hardware, software, and process interfaces

  • Support system integration, startup, validation, and production ramp-up activities

  • Optimize system performance, reliability, maintainability, and uptime

  • Develop and maintain technical documentation, including control narratives, electrical schematics, network diagrams, and troubleshooting procedures

  • Develop training materials for controls systems, equipment operation, troubleshooting, and maintenance support

  • Mentor junior engineers and technicians to strengthen technical capability and promote knowledge transfer

  • Collaborate with engineering, operations, maintenance, and external suppliers to define requirements and implement control solutions

  • Provide technical leadership across multiple projects and initiatives

  • Ensure compliance with applicable safety standards, company policies, regulatory requirements, and applicable NASA/government requirements

  • Support continuous improvement initiatives and recommend enhancements to existing automation systems

  • Travel as required in support of project execution and operational needs

This position must meet export control compliance requirements. To meet export control compliance requirements, a “U.S. Person” as defined by 22 C.F.R. §120.15 is required“U.S. Person” includes U.S. Citizen, lawful permanent resident, refugee, or asylee.  

Basic Qualifications:

  • Bachelor’s degree or higher in Electrical Engineering

  • 10+ years’ experience in PLC programming, controls engineering, electrical system design, or a related role

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Strong hands-on experience with Rockwell/Allen-Bradley PLC platforms

  • Strong hands-on experience with Siemens PLC platforms

  • Experience developing and supporting HMI and SCADA applications

  • Experience with industrial communication networks and protocols, such as EtherNet/IP, Modbus, Profibus, and Profinet

  • Ability to troubleshoot complex automated systems at the electrical, software, and process levels

  • Experience supporting system startup, integration, and production readiness activities

  • Ability to work onsite at Boeing Huntsville

  • Ability to travel as required

  • Experience on the SLS Program is required

  • Experience working in NASA and government-regulated environments is required

  • Experience supporting test equipment for complex and highly specialized hydraulic and pneumatic systems is required

  • Experience with Allen-Bradley PLC-5, ControlLogix, and PanelView systems is required

  • Experience with Siemens S7-300 and TIA systems is required

  • Experience with Modicon 984 PLCs is required

  • Experience with SCADA systems, including Intellution and Wonderware, is required

  • Experience with Fanuc, ABB, and KUKA robotics is required

  • Experience with VFDs and industrial drives, including PowerFlex, ABB ACS800, and SEW Movimot, is required

  • Experience with machine vision and RFID tracking systems is required

  • Experience with hydraulic and pneumatic controls is required

  • Experience with C programming and Visual Basic is required

  • Experience in project management, commissioning, startup, and reliability engineering is required

  • Experience delivering major automation projects, including large-scale capital installations, is required

  • Experience leading engineering teams and providing technical leadership is required

  • Experience with retrofitting and upgrading control systems in a controlled government environment is required

Technical Skills:

  • PLC programming and troubleshooting

  • HMI/SCADA development

  • Electrical control system design

  • I/O diagnostics and commissioning

  • Industrial control panels and instrumentation

  • Root cause analysis and corrective action development

  • System testing, startup, and validation

  • Training development and technical instruction

  • Mentoring and knowledge transfer

  • Rockwell/Allen-Bradley automation systems

  • Siemens automation systems

  • Hydraulic and pneumatic test equipment integration and support

  • Robotics and machine vision integration

  • RFID and material tracking systems

  • Drive systems and motion control

  • C programming and Visual Basic

  • Retrofit and modernization of legacy automation systems

Typical Education:

Education/experience typically acquired through advanced technical education from an accredited course of study in engineering, engineering technology (includes manufacturing engineering technology), computer science, engineering data science, mathematics, physics or chemistry (e.g. Bachelor) and typically 9 or more years' related work experience or an equivalent combination of technical education and experience or non-US equivalent qualifications. In the USA, ABET accreditation is the preferred, although not required, accreditation standard.

Relocation Assistance:

Relocation assistance is not a negotiable benefit for this position. Candidates must live in the immediate area or relocate at their own expense

Drug Free Workplace:

Boeing is a Drug Free Workplace where post offer applicants and employees are subject to testing for marijuana, cocaine, opioids, amphetamines, PCP, and alcohol when criteria is met as outlined in our policies.

At Boeing, we strive to deliver a Total Rewards package that will attract, engage and retain the top talent.  Elements of the Total Rewards package include competitive base pay and variable compensation opportunities. 

The Boeing Company also provides eligible employees with an opportunity to enroll in a variety of benefit programs, generally including health insurance, flexible spending accounts, health savings accounts, retirement savings plans, life and disability insurance programs, and a number of programs that provide for both paid and unpaid time away from work. 

The specific programs and options available to any given employee may vary depending on eligibility factors such as geographic location, date of hire, and the applicability of collective bargaining agreements.

Pay is based upon candidate experience and qualifications, as well as market and business considerations. 

Typical Summary pay range: $126,650 - $171,350

Language Requirements:

Not Applicable

Education:

Bachelor's Degree or Equivalent

Relocation:

Relocation assistance is not a negotiable benefit for this position.

Export Control Requirement:

This position must meet U.S. export control compliance requirements. To meet U.S. export control compliance requirements, a “U.S. Person” as defined by 22 C.F.R. §120.62 is required. “U.S. Person” includes U.S. Citizen, U.S. National, lawful permanent resident, refugee, or asylee.

Safety Sensitive:

This is a NASA safety-sensitive position and is subject to random drug and alcohol testing.

Security Clearance:

This position does not require a Security Clearance.

Visa Sponsorship:

Employer will not sponsor applicants for employment visa status.

Contingent Upon Award Program

This position is not contingent upon program award

Shift:

Shift 1 (United States of America)

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Boeing is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, physical or mental disability, genetic factors, military/veteran status or other characteristics protected by law.

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