Qualdoc

Qualdoc Staffing

IndustrialAutomationEngineerMaterialHandlingSystems

$115–155k ~AI est. Ashland, Virginia, United States CONTRACT
Market Sentiment
HIGH DEMAND

Neural analysis suggests this role is
optimal for Mid+ candidates.

The Brief

“Industrial Automation Engineer – Material Handling Systems at Qualdoc. Skills: Controls Engineering, Automation, Material Handling Systems. Develop electrical and automation solutions. Design control architectures”

What You'll Achieve.

Improve reliability; Improve productivity; Improve operational consistency; Reduce downtime

Industry & Context.

Qualdoc Staffing
Problems you'll solve

Troubleshooting; Problem solving

Eligibility Requirements

Occasional travel, Work at elevated locations

What They're Looking For.

Must Have

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Controls Engineering, Automation Engineering, or related equivalent industry experience, Five or more years of controls engineering experience, Experience supporting crane systems, heavy industrial equipment, or material-handling applications, 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

Nice to Have

Experience with automated crane technologies, anti-sway controls, or load-monitoring systems, Background supporting system integration and field commissioning activities, Analytical thinking and troubleshooting capabilities, Ability to work safely in industrial facilities and at elevated work locations, Excellent interpersonal, communication, and teamwork skills

What You'll Do.

Develop electrical and automation solutions

Design control architectures

Create electrical schematics

Maintain panel layouts

Create wiring diagrams

Configure motion-control systems

Ensure engineering designs comply with standards

Support system installation

Support commissioning

Support startup activities

Configure PLC hardware

Configure variable frequency drives

Configure communication networks

Configure operator interfaces

Conduct functional testing

Conduct troubleshooting

Conduct performance verification

Optimize system performance

Diagnose electrical issues

Resolve controls issues

Resolve automation issues

Provide engineering support

Participate in retrofit initiatives

Participate in modernization initiatives

Participate in equipment enhancement initiatives

Develop solutions to improve system performance

Develop solutions to reduce downtime

Provide technical guidance

Mentor junior engineering staff

Contribute to process improvement efforts

Assist in developing best practices

Assist in developing standardized engineering solutions

How You'll Work.

Team & Collaboration

Mechanical engineers; Project managers; Technicians; Operations personnel; Service technicians; Maintenance teams; Junior engineering staff

Full Job Description

## Description 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. ## Primary Responsibilities 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, moderni

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