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Lead Controls Engineer

Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories · Moscow, ID

Apply on Schweitzer ↗
Level
Manager
Team
Controls
Base pay
$115k–$170k
Travel
15%
Experience asked
6+ years
Industry
Industrial
Posted
Recently

The role in 30 seconds

A management controls role at Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories (industrial) in Moscow, ID. 1.E xpertise in PLCs (Allen-Bradley, Mitsubishi, Siemens), HMI/GUI design, fieldbus networks, safety systems, vision systems, and robotics integration.

They ask for
6+ years
Tools it names
Validation (IQ/OQ/PQ), PLC, Robotics, Automation, AutoCAD, MES
Base pay
$115k–$170k
Day to day
some off-shift / weekend coverage · about 15% travel

Read from the posting. The full description is below.

From the plant jobs report · week of October 19, 2026

Controls Engineer roles in Idaho: typical posted base $89k–$149k. This one lists $115k–$170k.

Median of the low and high ends of 5 live postings that list pay, out of 7 controls engineer openings in Idaho, read from manufacturers' own careers sites.

Idaho plant jobs report →Pay by team and state →What moves pay →

How this role compares

Against 734 other live controls postings in the US.

Base pay
About 20% above similar roles

Typical $97k–$141k, from 247 postings that list pay.

Experience asked
More than usual (6+ vs 5+)

Similar roles usually ask 5+ years.

Skills these teams ask for most

  • ✓ Automation 74%
  • ✓ PLC 68%
  • ✓ Robotics 42%
  • ✓ Validation (IQ/OQ/PQ) 27%
  • Root cause 27%

✓ = this posting asks for it too. % = share of similar postings that mention it.

It asks for 6+ years. If you're close, apply anyway: requirements are a wish list. Talk to someone doing this work there first.

At a glance

Off-shift / weekend coverageTraining program

Pulled from the posting text. If it's not listed here, the posting didn't say.

How to get in at this plant

Five moves over a week or two. The first one takes ten minutes.

  1. 1

    Pick 2–3 people on the Controls team at Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories

    Engineers who joined in the last year or two reply the most. Use the team search on this page to find them.

  2. 2

    Send a short, curious note

    One real question about their work. No favors yet. Each person gets a different note, written for this role.

  3. 3

    Turn a reply into a short call

    Questions worth asking about this team:

    • What does a normal week look like on your team?
    • How does off-shift and weekend coverage work?
    • The posting says about 15% travel. Between which sites?
    • How did you land the job? What stood out in your interviews?
  4. 4

    Apply with someone vouching for you

    If the call went well, ask whether they’d pass your résumé to the hiring manager. Send your résumé link, apply that day, and let them know.

  5. 5

    Bring proof to the interview

    One page of before-and-after numbers from projects you led: scrap, OEE, cycle time, cost. Plant managers hire on results.

Full description from Schweitzer Engineering LaboratoriesAs posted on their careers site.Show

Responsibilities

1. Maintain a detailed understanding of electric power system automation and industrial control systems including related protocols, serial and network communications, security, and logic programming.

2. Lead in customer technical support including installation, commissioning and operation of automation and control systems.

3. Lead in developing and analyzing product specifications and functional and validation tests.

4. Lead in writing and maintaining product documentation including application guides, data sheets, and instruction manuals.

5. Lead in the development of technical and market analyses to evaluate proposed products or enhancements.

6. Lead in evaluation of competing automation products.

7. Perform as a technical lead on assigned projects.

8. Mentor Engineers and Associate Engineers.

9. Understand. Create. Simplify.

10. Other duties as assigned.

responsibilities

Ability to work cooperatively in a team environment

Background check results satisfactory to SEL

Negative drug test result(s)

Preferred Qualifications

1.E xpertise in PLCs (Allen-Bradley, Mitsubishi, Siemens), HMI/GUI design, fieldbus networks, safety systems, vision systems, and robotics integration.

2.Proficient in reading electrical schematics and applying industrial equipment standards; experienced with AutoCAD.

3. Advanced PLC programming with structured, maintainable code development methodologies.

4. Skilled in developing state machines for complex automation, including parallel processing, pick-and-place systems, data acquisition, and PID control.

5. Experienced in MES integration, collaborating across teams and suppliers to enable enterprise-wide visibility, monitoring, and control.

6. Led electrical control panel design and build activities while supporting large-scale automation and capital projects.

Physical

Requirements

None

Location

Moscow, ID – This position is located in SEL’s state of the art Printed Circuit Board factory in Moscow, ID. Enjoy the smaller town life: country space, freedom from traffic, easy access to recreational activities in nearby mountains, rivers, and forests, as well as great schools and universities.

Competitive pay. Superior benefits. Inspiring work.

People are at the core of our company and we hire employee-owners. We welcome you to learn more about how we support employees.

  • ✓We’re 100% employee owned. Retirement benefits include an employer funded stock ownership plan (ESOP) and personal 401(k) options.
  • ✓We offer top tier medical, prescription, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance.
  • ✓We recognize the importance of a healthy life balance and offer: 10 paid holidays, annual vacation accrual starting at 12 days, 9 paid sick days, and paid family and medical leave that covers 90% of your pay.
  • ✓We foster growth and development of our employees through avenues such as STEM courses, apprenticeships, tuition assistance, and engineering development programs.
  • ✓Ask our team about other benefits including wellness, fertility, adoption, and flexible spending benefits.

Pay Range Data

responsibilities

of the role. Starting pay is determined individually and considers factors such as relevant experience, skills, knowledge, and training. Candidates may be considered at different levels based on their background. As a result, pay may vary to align with the level of the role.

Communication with Applicants

We communicate with all applicants. If you do not receive a response about your application, please check your SPAM filter or reach out to us at careers@selinc.com .

Show full description ↓

Designs and implements automation and process improvements across manufacturing systems, including PLC, HMI, and equipment integration. Leads and coordinates a team to deliver automation projects, ensuring alignment, quality, and timely execution. Develops solutions to enhance safety, reliability, and efficiency by addressing workflow gaps, improving operator guidance, and strengthening system controls. Collaborates with cross functional teams and vendors to troubleshoot issues and deploy scalable solutions that improve throughput, traceability, and cost performance.

This job might be for you if you are a US Citizen and if you have

B.S. Electrical Engineering, Computer Science/Engineering, or Mechanical Engineering, or related discipline; or equivalent combination of education and experience

Typically 6+ years relevant experience in setup, configuration, and troubleshooting of automation and control systems with a broad range of serial and network devices and interfaces

Working knowledge of automation and integration applications, practices, and philosophies at an electrical utility, industrial plant, or engineering firm

Knowledge of OSI model

Strong knowledge of layer 2, 3, and 4 (switching, routing, and transport) networking principles

Excellent technical presentation and training skills

Willing to travel up to 15%

Strong writing, documentation, and speaking skills

Ability to learn new skills and assume new

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