About this role
Controls Engineer (Overhead Crane Systems)
Location: Ashland, VA (Onsite)
Shift: Monday–Friday, 7:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Job Type: 6-Month Contract-to-Hire
Pay Rate: Starts at $39.00/Hour and may be higher depending on experience.
Qualdoc is seeking an experienced Controls Engineer to support the design, development, and optimization of electrical control systems for overhead cranes and lifting equipment. This is a full-time, onsite role based in Ashland, VA.
This position requires a higher level of expertise in automation, controls integration, and system troubleshooting, with a strong focus on ensuring safe, efficient, and compliant crane operations. The Controls Engineer will play a key role in both new system design and modernization of existing crane systems.
Automation & Control System Engineering • Develop electrical and automation solutions for overhead lifting equipment and industrial material-handling systems • Design control architectures incorporating PLCs, HMIs, motor-control devices, sensors, relays, and safety components • Create and maintain electrical schematics, panel layouts, wiring diagrams, and supporting engineering documentation • Configure motion-control systems to support safe and efficient equipment operation • Ensure engineering designs comply with applicable industry standards and safety requirements Integration, Startup & Validation • Support system installation, commissioning, and startup activities • Configure PLC hardware, variable frequency drives, communication networks, and operator interfaces • Conduct functional testing, troubleshooting, and performance verification • Optimize system performance to improve reliability, productivity, and operational consistency Technical Support & Troubleshooting • Diagnose and resolve electrical, controls, and automation issues affecting equipment operation • Provide engineering support to service technicians, maintenance teams, and project personnel • Participate in retrofit, modernization, and equipment enhancement initiatives • Develop solutions that improve system performance and reduce downtime Team Collaboration & Continuous Improvement • Work alongside mechanical engineers, project managers, technicians, and operations personnel to support project success • Provide technical guidance and mentorship to junior engineering and technical staff when appropriate • Contribute to process improvement efforts focused on automation reliability, safety, and efficiency • Assist in developing best practices and standardized engineering solutions
• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Controls Engineering, Automation Engineering, or a related discipline; equivalent industry experience may be considered • Five or more years of controls engineering experience, preferably supporting crane systems, heavy industrial equipment, or material-handling applications • Strong experience with: • PLC programming platforms such as Allen-Bradley, Siemens, or equivalent systems • HMI and SCADA development • Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs) and motor-control technologies • Ability to create, review, and troubleshoot electrical control system designs • Experience working with industrial communication protocols including Ethernet/IP, Modbus, and similar networks • Knowledge of motion-control systems involving hoist, bridge, and trolley functions • Familiarity with CMAA, NFPA 70 (NEC), and ASME B30 standards •
• Experience with automated crane technologies, anti-sway controls, or load-monitoring systems • Background supporting system integration and field commissioning activities • Strong analytical thinking and troubleshooting capabilities • Ability to work safely in industrial facilities and at elevated work locations when required • Excellent interpersonal, communication, and teamwork skills
• Full-time onsite position in an industrial manufacturing setting • Occasional travel may be required to support project sites, customer facilities, installations, or commissioning activities • Hands-on involvement with automation systems, equipment testing, and field support as needed
Location: Ashland, VA (Onsite)
Shift: Monday–Friday, 7:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Job Type: 6-Month Contract-to-Hire
Pay Rate: Starts at $39.00/Hour and may be higher depending on experience.
Qualdoc is seeking an experienced Controls Engineer to support the design, development, and optimization of electrical control systems for overhead cranes and lifting equipment. This is a full-time, onsite role based in Ashland, VA.
This position requires a higher level of expertise in automation, controls integration, and system troubleshooting, with a strong focus on ensuring safe, efficient, and compliant crane operations. The Controls Engineer will play a key role in both new system design and modernization of existing crane systems.
Automation & Control System Engineering • Develop electrical and automation solutions for overhead lifting equipment and industrial material-handling systems • Design control architectures incorporating PLCs, HMIs, motor-control devices, sensors, relays, and safety components • Create and maintain electrical schematics, panel layouts, wiring diagrams, and supporting engineering documentation • Configure motion-control systems to support safe and efficient equipment operation • Ensure engineering designs comply with applicable industry standards and safety requirements Integration, Startup & Validation • Support system installation, commissioning, and startup activities • Configure PLC hardware, variable frequency drives, communication networks, and operator interfaces • Conduct functional testing, troubleshooting, and performance verification • Optimize system performance to improve reliability, productivity, and operational consistency Technical Support & Troubleshooting • Diagnose and resolve electrical, controls, and automation issues affecting equipment operation • Provide engineering support to service technicians, maintenance teams, and project personnel • Participate in retrofit, modernization, and equipment enhancement initiatives • Develop solutions that improve system performance and reduce downtime Team Collaboration & Continuous Improvement • Work alongside mechanical engineers, project managers, technicians, and operations personnel to support project success • Provide technical guidance and mentorship to junior engineering and technical staff when appropriate • Contribute to process improvement efforts focused on automation reliability, safety, and efficiency • Assist in developing best practices and standardized engineering solutions
• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Controls Engineering, Automation Engineering, or a related discipline; equivalent industry experience may be considered • Five or more years of controls engineering experience, preferably supporting crane systems, heavy industrial equipment, or material-handling applications • Strong experience with: • PLC programming platforms such as Allen-Bradley, Siemens, or equivalent systems • HMI and SCADA development • Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs) and motor-control technologies • Ability to create, review, and troubleshoot electrical control system designs • Experience working with industrial communication protocols including Ethernet/IP, Modbus, and similar networks • Knowledge of motion-control systems involving hoist, bridge, and trolley functions • Familiarity with CMAA, NFPA 70 (NEC), and ASME B30 standards •
• Experience with automated crane technologies, anti-sway controls, or load-monitoring systems • Background supporting system integration and field commissioning activities • Strong analytical thinking and troubleshooting capabilities • Ability to work safely in industrial facilities and at elevated work locations when required • Excellent interpersonal, communication, and teamwork skills
• Full-time onsite position in an industrial manufacturing setting • Occasional travel may be required to support project sites, customer facilities, installations, or commissioning activities • Hands-on involvement with automation systems, equipment testing, and field support as needed
About Qualdoc
Qualdoc is hiring for the industrial automation engineer – material handling systems role. NewJob aggregates active openings directly from Qualdoc's applicant tracking system, so this listing is current.
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