Controls Engineer II – Controls Design
Location: Onsite in Duquesne, PA
Employment Status: Full Time
Compensation: $80,000 – $105,000 Annually + Bonus Eligibility
Travel: Up to 50% or Temporary Relocation Options
Who We Are
Thermo Systems is a global, full-service control systems integration partner delivering premier class automation solutions across the Energy, Life Sciences, and Mission Critical markets.
Guided by The Thermo Way, we are unified, dynamic, and committed to delivering excellence. Our culture is grounded in three core principles:
- Employee Success – investing in our people and their growth
- Customer Success – delivering reliable, high-quality solutions
- Financial Strength – operating with discipline and long-term focus
We believe strong teams, trusted partnerships, and technical excellence drive sustainable success.
The Opportunity
The Control Systems Engineer II works on a variety of control system projects involving hardware and software design, development, integration, testing, commissioning, and installation support.
This role is expected to work independently on assigned responsibilities, lead portions of project execution, and contribute to small to mid-sized projects while continuing to develop technical depth with guidance from senior engineers and project leadership.
What You’ll Do
Technical & Engineering
- Perform intermediate control system design with guidance from senior engineers and project leads.
- Develop and support PLC and HMI applications for industrial control systems.
- Read and interpret P&IDs, electrical drawings, wiring diagrams, and related engineering documentation.
- Develop instrumentation specifications for basic control systems.
- Troubleshoot electrical, mechanical, and control system issues.
- Lead and perform Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT).
- Support and lead project activities during installation, startup, and commissioning.
- Work independently in the field and provide technical direction to other project team members as needed.
- Review engineering documents for technical accuracy, quality, and completeness.
- Apply an understanding of network infrastructure, IT systems, and computer architecture as they relate to control system integration.
- Follow established engineering standards and the company’s Quality Management System (QMS).
Project Execution
- Lead individual project tasks and small to mid-sized projects as assigned.
- Understand assigned scope of work and identify when issues or requests fall outside of project scope.
- Communicate project status, risks, and concerns to project leadership in a timely manner.
- Complete assigned work accurately, on schedule, and within budget.
- Develop an understanding of project contracts, specifications, and customer requirements.
- Manage priorities effectively while taking ownership of assigned responsibilities.
Customer Engagement
- Communicate professionally and proactively with customers.
- Follow customer-specific site standards, procedures, and requirements.
- Develop an understanding of customer needs and provide responsive technical support.
- Troubleshoot issues and help develop practical solutions.
- Follow through on commitments and maintain a high level of customer service throughout project execution.
Team Collaboration
- Communicate effectively with engineers, project managers, customers, and other project stakeholders.
- Provide leadership and direction to team members during field execution and commissioning activities.
- Contribute to a positive, collaborative team environment.
- Seek guidance when needed while continuing to build technical independence and accountability.
What We’re Looking For
Education & Experience
- Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science, or a related technical field, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
- Typically 2+ years of relevant controls or automation experience.
- 1–3 years of experience as a Control Systems Engineer or in a comparable controls engineering role.
Skills & Abilities
- Working knowledge of PLC and HMI applications.
- Experience with control system design, integration, testing, and commissioning.
- Ability to troubleshoot electrical, mechanical, and control system issues.
- Ability to read and interpret P&IDs, wiring diagrams, and engineering documentation.
- Understanding of instrumentation and basic control system specifications.
- Familiarity with industrial networking, IT infrastructure, and computer systems as they relate to controls integration.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
- Ability to work independently and take ownership of assigned responsibilities.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
- Ability to manage priorities, meet deadlines, and work effectively within a project team.
Travel & Other Requirements
- Overnight travel may be required up to 50% based on project and customer needs.
- Participation in an on-call rotation may be required depending on location and client requirements.
- Maintain a valid driver’s license.
- Maintain authorization to work in the country where the position is located.
- Ability to meet applicable fit-for-duty requirements.
What You’ll Get
- Competitive compensation with annual bonus opportunity
- 401(k) with company match
- Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage with low-cost options
- Paid time off and sick leave
- Tuition reimbursement and professional credential support
- In-house and external technical training opportunities
- Exposure to complex, high-impact automation projects
- A collaborative culture built on integrity, accountability, and teamwork
Learn more at www.thermosystems.com
Work Environment & Physical Requirements
The physical and environmental demands described here are representative of those required to perform the essential functions of this role. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.
Equal Employment Opportunity
Thermo Systems provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetics, or any other protected status.
Disclaimer
This job description outlines the general nature and level of work expected. Responsibilities may evolve based on business needs.
Skills Required
- Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science, or a pertinent curriculum combined with relevant technical experience
- Typically 2 or more years of total experience
- 1 to 3 years of experience as a Control System Engineer or equivalent
- Valid driver's license
- Proof of eligibility to work in the country where the position is located
- Fit for duty at all times
What We Do
Thermo Systems is a full-service control systems integration partner, providing world-class automation solutions within the Energy, Life Sciences, and Mission Critical markets. We excel at managing and delivering turnkey projects to our EPC & AE partners while also specializing in customized direct-to-owner solutions, focusing on industries where we can offer unmatched domain knowledge to deliver the best possible services and technologies for your needs. By investing in our people, we provide a project team with the skill and expertise to overcome your biggest industrial automation and information challenges. To reinforce our commitment to serving our customers locally, we have engineers located throughout North America and Europe. Each office is staffed with automation experts who excel at our focus industries and fit the Thermo culture of encouraging professional growth to exceed customer expectations.
