Company Description Fidus Global designs flexible, operator-first warehouse automation systems using open-architecture software, proven engineering, and dependable support. Its award-winning Pontem Warehouse Control System, recognized with the 2025 MHI Innovation Award for Best IT Innovation, gives warehouse operators real-time visibility, flexibility, and control. Fidus supports both modernization of existing systems and development of new solutions through modular software and expert engineering. The company emphasizes open, vendor-neutral solutions that allow customers to choose the hardware and partners that best fit their operations. Fídus is committed to delivering automation systems that customers can own, adapt, and rely on over the long term.
Position Summary: The Senior Director of Controls Engineering is a key leadership role responsible for shaping the technical vision, engineering strategy, and operational execution of a growing controls engineering organization. This leader will drive the successful delivery of complex automation and material handling solutions while building a high-performing engineering team focused on innovation, quality, and customer success.
In this role, you will lead a multidisciplinary engineering organization responsible for control system design, control panel engineering, PLC programming, SCADA development, HMI design, robotics integration, emulation, and on-site commissioning support for advanced automation and material handling systems serving the manufacturing and logistics industries.
As a strategic and hands-on leader, you will establish engineering standards, best practices, and scalable processes that enable the successful execution of multiple concurrent projects. You will oversee resource planning, project delivery, technical quality, risk management, and continuous improvement initiatives to ensure projects are completed safely, on schedule, within budget, and aligned with customer expectations.
Partnering closely with executive leadership, operations, sales, project management, and customer stakeholders, you will help define the future direction of the engineering organization while fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, innovation, and technical excellence. This is an opportunity to make a meaningful impact by influencing company strategy, developing engineering talent, and delivering cutting-edge automation solutions that solve complex operational challenges for customers
What you will do:
- Analyze the needs of business units and collaboratively establish priorities for the design and implementation of MHE solutions.
- Recommend and develop plans for: systems development and operations; hardware, software and equipment purchases; budgeting and staffing.
- Negotiate and contract with consultants, technical personnel and vendors for services and products.
- Be responsible for the personnel administration of the Engineering department and team members. Interview, hire and train employees; plan, assign and direct work performance appraisal; reward and hold team members accountable for performance, address complaints and resolve problems.
- Prepare reports and make formal and informal presentations to Senior Leadership.
- Be responsible for the overall quality of systems provided to our customers.
- Be responsible for continuous improvement aspects within the technical capabilities of the team to ensure cost and quality savings.
- Plan and oversee project timelines and staffing needs for projects.
- Design and implement training plans for team members as well as mentor their professional development.
- Provide strategic and technical leadership for the design, development, and deployment of complex controls systems
- Provide technical oversight for the design, development, integration, testing, commissioning, and support of controls solutions.
- Review and approve engineering designs, specifications, and system architectures to ensure quality, reliability, scalability, and compliance with industry standards.
- Serve as the technical escalation point for complex engineering challenges and drive resolution of critical issues.
- Develop and manage capital, travel, and training budgets for the organization.
- Provide site start-up support for MHE and Automation equipment.
- Perform other related duties, as assigned.
Who you are:
- You have demonstrated experience managing complex, cross-functional engineering projects from concept through deployment and operational handoff.
- You demonstrate strong project and program management skills, including planning, prioritization, stakeholder communication, and execution against defined milestones.
- You have excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to effectively convey complex technical concepts to diverse audiences, including executive leadership, customers, and cross-functional teams.
- You have strong organizational and project management skills, with exceptional attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple priorities and initiatives simultaneously.
- You have demonstrated analytical, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to make sound decisions in complex, fast-paced environments.
- You have proven ability to influence and collaborate across functions to drive alignment, accountability, and successful project execution.
- You have experience managing external contractors, system integrators, and third-party vendors to ensure quality, schedule, and budget objectives are achieved.
What you will bring:
- Four-year degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or equivalent technical degree (i.e., AAS).
- A minimum of 15 years of controls engineering experience will be considered in lieu of degree.
- 8 years of leadership experience preferred.
- A minimum of 15 years of relevant electrical engineering experience with PLC and robotic automation applications, preferably with KUKA, ABB, FANUC, or OMRON.
- Requires experience with Allen-Bradley (ControlLogix, PLC5, SCL500), PanelView Plus HMI’s, Industrial Communications Networks (EthernetIP, ASI, Profibus, and Profinet), Kinetix Servo Drives and VFD’s. Experience with Ignition, Emulation3D, Siemens S7 PLCs, AutoCAD and Microsoft VisualStudio is a plus.
- Experience with cross-functional collaboration with sales, operations, and maintenance teams.
- Significant experience leading end-to-end engineering programs, including ownership of project timelines, budgets, resource planning, risk mitigation, and executive stakeholder communication
- Proven experience defining technical roadmaps, establishing engineering standards, and leading the delivery of complex automation systems.
Physical requirements:
- Prolonged periods walking around client project facilities.
- Prolonged periods sitting at a desk working on a computer and completing paperwork.
- Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at times.
What we can offer you:
- Competitive pay
- Health, dental, and vision insurance.
- 8 paid holidays
- 401(k) with company match
- Life Insurance
- Short term and long-term disability (Company Paid)
- Health Savings Account (HSA)
- Growth potential with a fast-growing company
Job location: Employees can be based anywhere in the USA, however, must be open to up to 30% - 40% project travel.
Salary: $180-200k/year
Recruitment Agencies: We are not utilizing external 3rd party recruitment agencies for this search. Should those needs change, we will seek your assistance directly.
Fidus Global LLC is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants may be subject to pre-employment screening which may include background screening, reference checks, employment verifications, and / or skills assessments.
Pay: $180,000.00 - $200,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Flexible schedule
- Health insurance
- Health savings account
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Referral program
- Vision insurance
Application Question(s):
- Are you eligible to work in the US without sponsorship now and in the future?
- Are you open to up to 30% - 40% project travel?
- Do you have a minimum of 8 years of leadership experience?
- Do you have a minimum of 15 years of relevant electrical engineering experience with PLC and robotic automation applications?
- Do you have demonstrated experience managing complex, cross-functional engineering projects from concept through deployment and operational handoff?
- Do you have end to end experience leading engineering programs, including ownership of project timelines, budgets, resource planning, risk mitigation, and executive stakeholder communication?
- What is your personal email address?
Work Location: Remote
