Lead Controls Engineer
Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories · Moscow, ID
- 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
- Experience asked
- More than usual (6+ vs 5+)
Typical $97k–$141k, from 247 postings that list pay.
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.
At a glance
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
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
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
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
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
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.ShowHide
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 ↓Show less ↑
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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