Senior Controls Design Engineer (CAD)
Location: Remote in Europe (based in Ireland, UK, Denmark, Netherlands, Germany or Finland)
Employment Status: Full Time | Direct Hire
Compensation: Competitive + Bonus
Travel: Up to 20% (as needed per project requirements)
On Call: No
Who We Are
Thermo Systems is a global, full-service control systems integration partner delivering premier class automation solutions across the Energy, Life Sciences, and Mission Critical markets.
Guided by The Thermo Way, we are unified, dynamic, and committed to delivering excellence. Our culture is grounded in three core principles:
- Employee Success – investing in our people and their growth
- Customer Success – delivering reliable, high-quality solutions
- Financial Strength – operating with discipline and long-term focus
We believe strong teams, trusted partnerships, and technical excellence drive sustainable success.
The Opportunity
The Senior Controls Design Engineer supports the design, development, delivery, and continuous improvement of BMS and EPMS control panel system architecture and solutions across our mission-critical projects. This role is responsible for producing high-quality engineering deliverables, progressing panel designs from concept and template stages through to issue-for-manufacture readiness.
You will support the delivery of key technical deliverables, including panel schematics, wiring diagrams, I/O allocations, communication architectures, and bills of materials, while ensuring alignment with project specifications, vendor requirements, and engineering standards. You will also perform constructability and technical reviews to validate design quality, installation feasibility, commissioning readiness, and compliance with project requirements. Success in this role will be measured through the delivery of high-quality, manufacturing-ready panel designs, minimal fabrication rework, effective stakeholder collaboration, and timely project execution
This position is ideal for professionals who value accountability, technical rigor, and hands-on execution, and who are looking to take greater ownership of engineering deliverables while contributing to the continuous improvement of design quality, standards, and project delivery performance.
What You’ll Do
Core Responsibilities:
- Design of control panels supporting HVAC systems, electrical power monitoring systems, switchgear interfaces, field instrumentation, networking equipment, and third-party vendor integrations within mission-critical environments.
- Incorporate all design inputs from: Engineer of Record, Mechanical, Electrical & Plumbing (MEP) design packages, vendor technical submittals, network architecture documentation, project-specific design documentation (IO Lists, etc.), standards and naming conventions
- Ensure complete integration of all submittal-based changes including points mapping, control interfaces, and vendor-specific requirements.
- Complete all BMS and EPMS control panel drawings to 100% readiness, progressing from template or partial design to final issue-for-manufacture level
- Perform constructability assessments of all EPMS & BMS panel drawings and associated documentation.
- Validate installation feasibility, cable routing, power distribution alignment, and compliance with site constraints
- Identify risks or deficiencies in design and drive mitigation
- Develop accurate points mapping, wiring requirements, and integration of vendor schematics
- Identify opportunities for design simplification, cost efficiency, or material reduction while maintaining functional and redundancy requirements
- Recommend improvements to panel architecture, wiring schemes, or component selection
- Maintain rigorous revision control and ensure timely submission of drawings and documents
- Incorporate commissioning requirements into design deliverables, ensuring systems are testable, verifiable, and aligned with FAT/SAT/IST processes.
Collaboration & Communication:
- Coordinate with cross-functional teams to align scope, schedule, and deliverables.
- Coordinate with panel manufacturers and vendors to resolve technical queries and support efficient panel fabrication and assembly
- Communicate clearly and proactively with internal teams, customers, and partners.
- Act as a subject matter expert in Design & Engineering to support tactical coordination with the Project and Commissioning Managers per project.
- Support project leadership in identifying risks, resolving issues, and maintaining delivery alignment.
- Identify and escalate technical risks, constraints, or scope changes early.
Quality, Safety & Process
- Adhere to company policies, QMS requirements, and established safety standards
- Support and enhance the company’s Quality Management System (QMS)
- Ensure engineering deliverables meet high standards of accuracy, completeness, and consistency
- Promote structured engineering and documentation practices across all projects
- Identify opportunities for process improvement and drive continuous improvement initiatives
What We’re Looking For
Education & Experience:
- Bachelor’s in Science, Engineering, or a relevant discipline combined with relevant technical experience
- 5 - 7 years' experience in electrical control panel design, controls engineering, automation, or systems integration.
- Experience supporting industrial automation, manufacturing, utilities, pharmaceuticals, water/wastewater, infrastructure, or mission-critical projects
- Familiarity with IEC 60204, IEC 61439, and electrical drafting/documentation standards is desirable
Skills & Qualifications:
- Working knowledge of PLC, SCADA, BMS, and EPMS architectures and associated field instrumentation
- Apply appropriate drafting, design-documentation, and configuration-control methods using company-approved design tools, templates, standards, and document-management processes
- Ability to work independently on engineering tasks
- Proficient in EPLAN and/or AutoCAD Electrical, with experience producing manufacturing-ready control panel designs. EPLAN experience preferred.
- Good understanding of instrumentation, control panels, and networked systems
- Able to read and interpret P&IDs, electrical schematics, and control narratives
- Demonstratable troubleshooting and problem-solving capability
- Effective communication and teamwork skills
- Ability to manage priorities and meet deadlines
- Sound decision-making skills and attention to detail
- Commitment to quality, safety, and accountability
What You’ll Get
- Competitive salary and annual performance bonuses
- Pension plan
- Paid time off (PTO) and company holidays
- Relocation or living stipend (based on assignment)
- In-house and factory training + tuition reimbursement
- Casual, team-oriented culture with regular events, free lunches, and company swag
Learn more at www.thermosystems.com
Work Environment & Physical Requirements
The physical and environmental demands described here are representative of those required to perform the essential functions of this role. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.
Equal Employment Opportunity
Thermo Systems provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetics, or any other protected status.
Disclaimer
This job description outlines the general nature and level of work expected. Responsibilities may evolve based on business needs.
