Role & seniority: Director of Controls Automation Engineering (senior engineering leader; potential title: Engineering Manager or Director)

Stack/tools: Electrical engineering background; PLC programming; SCADA; control system architecture; industrial refrigeration/HVAC domain knowledge; experience with various control system technologies

Top 3 responsibilities

Lead, mentor, and manage a team of controls engineers; oversee task scheduling and project delivery
Drive new business development for controls upgrades, retrofits, and facility expansions; maintain client relationships
Develop sequences of operations, provide technical guidance, troubleshoot issues (remote/on-site), and coordinate with executives to meet goals

Must-have skills

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering or related discipline
5+ years working with control systems technologies and programming languages
Advanced PLC programming, SCADA, and control system architecture; experience in industrial refrigeration or HVAC preferred

Nice-to-haves

Direct experience with client-facing business development and project bidding
Strong client relationship skills and cross-functional collaboration
Location & work type: Staunton/Charlottesville, VA area; role may involve on-site and travel (approximately 10–20%) for client meetings, troubleshooting, and commissioning; hybrid/onsite as needed

Full Description

Great opportunity for an experienced Engineering Manager or Director of Engineering in a role located in the Staunton / Charlottesville, VA Area.

Our client is a market leading manufacturer in the Industrial Refrigeration/HVAC industry looking for a Director of Controls Automation Engineering to lead a team of controls engineers responsible for the programming and implementation of industrial refrigeration automation systems.

This person will be a key figure in driving business development efforts for clients controls upgrades, retrofits, and facility expansions.

Responsibilities Lead and manage a team of controls engineers, including task delegation, performance evaluations, and mentorship. Drive new business acquisition by presenting solutions for controls upgrades and facility expansions. Build and maintain long-term relationships with key clients to identify and close new business opportunities. Collaborate with executives and other departments to ensure alignment with company goals. Oversee engineering task scheduling in line with shop and field schedules to meet project deadlines. Develop and implement sequences of operations for equipment in line with client project requirements. Provide technical guidance and support to troubleshoot electrical/programming issues both remotely and on-site. Occasionally travel (10-20%) for client meetings, troubleshooting, and commissioning of control systems during construction projects. Provide high-level technical support to manufacturing & construction teams when addressing complex issues. Perform engineering calculations and ensure proper equipment selections for design projects. Provide regular updates to the executive leadership on project progress, engineering performance, and departmental improvements.

Qualifications Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering or related engineering discipline 5+ years of experience working with various control system technologies and programming languages Experience in the industrial refrigeration or HVAC industry preferred Advanced knowledge of PLC programming, SCADA systems, and control system architecture.