The Controls Design Engineer – Controls & Electrical is responsible for technical validation and solution definition during the pre‑sales phase, with a primary focus on mechanical design validation, preliminary electrical and controls concept development, and accurate estimation of electrical equipment and labor. This role serves as the technical bridge between Sales, Mechanical Engineering, and Controls/Electrical Engineering, ensuring MHE projects (conveyors, AS/RS, robotics, sortation, and associated industrial automation technologies) are sold with realistic scope, cost, and execution assumptions—reducing downstream change, rework, and margin erosion.Roles & Responsibilities: Review and validate mechanical designs and layouts for controls and electrical feasibility Identify technical risks, gaps, or constructability concerns early Ensure proposed solutions align with KPI standards, preferred architecture, and delivery model Develop preliminary electrical system concepts using IEC/US standards, customer specifications and KPI guidelines, including: Control panel approach Power distribution strategy Calculate power requirements and ratings for single line diagrams and control panels Network and controls architecture assumptions Develop and release bill of materials for panels and field devices Utilize Autodesk ACAD-E and other KPI custom tools to complete drawings for control panels, power distribution single lines, conveyor layouts, and other electrical drawings as required Define high‑level Controls scope and integration approach Collaborate with Controls and Electrical Engineering leads to ensure feasibility Estimate electrical equipment, including panels, devices, power distribution, and field components Develop electrical and controls engineering labor estimates. Partner with Sales to support technical proposal development, provide understanding of cost drivers and tradeoffs, clean handoff to execution teams post‑award. Documentation & Compliance RequirementsRequired Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering or equivalent engineering qualifications. 5+ years of proven experience supporting pre‑sales, applications engineering, or technical estimation. Knowledge of NEC and NFPA and UL508A Experience using AutoCAD-Electrical (ACAD-E) to create, read and interpret electrical drawings and schematics is required. Knowledge of Allen Bradley electrical products. Strong understanding of industrial networking (EtherNet/IP, DeviceNet, ControlNet, Profinet, etc.). Experience with conveyor and MHE control systems (sorters, conveyors, palletizers, panel electrical components, field electrical components etc), safety PLCs, machine automation and interfacing with PLC/Software. Strong communication and documentation skills. Ability to lead technical conversations with customers and cross-functional teams. Capable of managing multiple priorities in fast-paced environments. BenefitsMedical InsuranceDental InsuranceVision InsuranceHealth Care Concierge Service401(k) Retirement Plan (Pre-tax & Roth)Company paid Basic Life Insurance, Short-Term Disability & Long-Term DisabilityVoluntary Life & AD&D InsuranceVoluntary Accident, Critical Illness & Hospital Indemnity InsurancePet InsuranceMilk Stork ProgramWellness Program with gift card redemption and wellness challengesPaid Time Off (Vacation, Sick & 10 Holidays)Training & DevelopmentKPI Solutions provides equal employment opportunity to all individuals regardless of their race, color, creed, religion, gender, age, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by states, federal, or local law.
The Controls Design Engineer – Controls & Electrical is responsible for technical validation and solution definition during the pre‑sales phase, with a primary focus on mechanical design validation, preliminary electrical and controls concept development, and accurate estimation of electrical equipment and labor.
This role serves as the technical bridge between Sales, Mechanical Engineering, and Controls/Electrical Engineering, ensuring MHE projects (conveyors, AS/RS, robotics, sortation, and associated industrial automation technologies) are sold with realistic scope, cost, and execution assumptions—reducing downstream change, rework, and margin erosion.
Roles & Responsibilities:
- Review and validate mechanical designs and layouts for controls and electrical feasibility
- Identify technical risks, gaps, or constructability concerns early
- Ensure proposed solutions align with KPI standards, preferred architecture, and delivery model
- Develop preliminary electrical system concepts using IEC/US standards, customer specifications and KPI guidelines, including:
- Power distribution strategy
- Calculate power requirements and ratings for single line diagrams and control panels
- Network and controls architecture assumptions
- Develop and release bill of materials for panels and field devices
- Utilize Autodesk ACAD-E and other KPI custom tools to complete drawings for control panels, power distribution single lines, conveyor layouts, and other electrical drawings as required
- Define high‑level Controls scope and integration approach
- Collaborate with Controls and Electrical Engineering leads to ensure feasibility
- Estimate electrical equipment, including panels, devices, power distribution, and field components
- Develop electrical and controls engineering labor estimates.
- Partner with Sales to support technical proposal development, provide understanding of cost drivers and tradeoffs, clean handoff to execution teams post‑award.
- Documentation & Compliance
Requirements
Required Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering or equivalent engineering qualifications.
- 5+ years of proven experience supporting pre‑sales, applications engineering, or technical estimation.
- Knowledge of NEC and NFPA and UL508A
- Experience using AutoCAD-Electrical (ACAD-E) to create, read and interpret electrical drawings and schematics is required.
- Knowledge of Allen Bradley electrical products.
- Strong understanding of industrial networking (EtherNet/IP, DeviceNet, ControlNet, Profinet, etc.).
- Experience with conveyor and MHE control systems (sorters, conveyors, palletizers, panel electrical components, field electrical components etc), safety PLCs, machine automation and interfacing with PLC/Software.
- Strong communication and documentation skills.
- Ability to lead technical conversations with customers and cross-functional teams.
- Capable of managing multiple priorities in fast-paced environments.
Benefits
- Medical Insurance
- Dental Insurance
- Vision Insurance
- Health Care Concierge Service
- 401(k) Retirement Plan (Pre-tax & Roth)
- Company paid Basic Life Insurance, Short-Term Disability & Long-Term Disability
- Voluntary Life & AD&D Insurance
- Voluntary Accident, Critical Illness & Hospital Indemnity Insurance
- Pet Insurance
- Milk Stork Program
- Wellness Program with gift card redemption and wellness challenges
- Paid Time Off (Vacation, Sick & 10 Holidays)
- Training & Development
KPI Solutions provides equal employment opportunity to all individuals regardless of their race, color, creed, religion, gender, age, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by states, federal, or local law.
Created in July 2021 as a result of combination of Kuecker Logistics Group, PULSE Integration and QC Software by private equity firm Ares Management, KPI Integrated Solutions is a systems integrator that seeks out leading technologies within the areas of material handling equipment and information systems and combines them with proven design and operational strategies to help improve our customers’ operations. Our talented group of industry experts combine the powers of scalable material handling systems, innovative software and custom automation engineering for complete, unique solutions that help companies, across a broad spectrum of industry segments, become leaders in their industries. We are equipment agnostic, and our solutions incorporate leading technologies such as mobile robots, automated storage and retrieval systems (ASRS), automated guided vehicles (AGV), goods-to-person technology, sortation, and conveyor. KPI currently has approximately 200 FTEs and $150m revenue with growth expected to double in size (at a minimum) in the next 5 years through organic and acquisitive activities. KPI is backed by Ares Management. Ares Management Corporation (NYSE: ARES) is a leading global alternative investment manager operating integrated groups across Credit, Private Equity, Real Estate and Strategic Initiatives. They provide flexible capital to support businesses and create value for their stakeholders and within their communities. By collaborating across their investment groups, they aim to generate consistent and attractive investment returns throughout market cycles. As of March 31, 2021, Ares Management's global platform had approximately $207 billion of assets under management with more than 1,450 employees operating across North America, Europe, Asia Pacific and the Middle East.
Created in July 2021 as a result of combination of Kuecker Logistics Group, PULSE Integration and QC Software by private equity firm Ares Management, KPI Integrated Solutions is a systems integrator that seeks out leading technologies within the areas of material handling equipment and information systems and combines them with proven design and operational strategies to help improve our customers’ operations. Our talented group of industry experts combine the powers of scalable material handling systems, innovative software and custom automation engineering for complete, unique solutions that help companies, across a broad spectrum of industry segments, become leaders in their industries. We are equipment agnostic, and our solutions incorporate leading technologies such as mobile robots, automated storage and retrieval systems (ASRS), automated guided vehicles (AGV), goods-to-person technology, sortation, and conveyor. KPI currently has approximately 200 FTEs and $150m revenue with growth expected to double in size (at a minimum) in the next 5 years through organic and acquisitive activities.
KPI is backed by Ares Management. Ares Management Corporation (NYSE: ARES) is a leading global alternative investment manager operating integrated groups across Credit, Private Equity, Real Estate and Strategic Initiatives. They provide flexible capital to support businesses and create value for their stakeholders and within their communities. By collaborating across their investment groups, they aim to generate consistent and attractive investment returns throughout market cycles. As of March 31, 2021, Ares Management's global platform had approximately $207 billion of assets under management with more than 1,450 employees operating across North America, Europe, Asia Pacific and the Middle East.
