Controls Design Estimator

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

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.