Electrical Control Panel Designer at LAPORTE L.C.C.

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Electrical Control Panel Designer
Company: LAPORTE L.C.C.
Location: Columbus, Ohio, United States
Job Type: Hybrid
Category: Electrical Engineering
Date Posted: 2025-07-28
Experience Level: Mid-Senior level
Remote Status: Hybrid (Minimal travel - 0-5%)

🚀 Role Summary

Design and develop comprehensive electrical control panel solutions for automation systems in the food and beverage manufacturing sector.
Collaborate with engineers, panel shops, and project managers to deliver high-quality, UL508A-compliant control panels.
Contribute to LAPORTE's mission of providing process engineering and process automation solutions across North America and Europe.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role requires a strong background in electrical design, with a focus on control panels, and experience in a relevant industry such as food and beverage, CPG, oil and gas, or heavy industry.

💻 Primary Responsibilities

Design and Development: Develop control panel and motor control panel designs using AutoCAD, creating detailed electrical schematics, wiring diagrams, and layout drawings in accordance with UL508A standards.
Component Selection: Select appropriate components for AC/DC circuits, motor circuits, VFDs, PLCs, and industrial networks, ensuring compliance with industry standards and customer requirements.
Calculations and Estimates: Perform engineering calculations for power requirements, voltage drop, circuit sizing, SCCR, heating, and cooling. Estimate control panel pricing based on design scope and component selection.
Technical Support: Provide technical support to the control panel shop during assembly and wiring to ensure design accuracy and adherence to electrical safety standards (NEC, NFPA, UL).
Collaboration and Review: Collaborate with project teams, review designs for compliance, accuracy, and constructability, and ensure high-quality, efficient, and safe control panel solutions.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role requires a balance of technical expertise, attention to detail, and strong communication skills to work effectively in a remote, collaborative environment.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Associate’s degree in Electrical Engineering Technology or a related field. Industry experience may be considered in lieu of post-secondary education.

Experience: A minimum of 5 years of experience in electrical design using AutoCAD, with a focus on UL508A-compliant control panels.

Required Skills:

Strong understanding of electrical theory, power distribution, industrial automation, and control systems.
Proficiency with AutoCAD and Microsoft Office products (Excel, Word, Outlook).
Familiarity with NEC, NFPA 70, NFPA 79, and UL508A standards.
Excellent attention to detail and design accuracy.
Strong communication, organization, and collaboration skills in a remote environment.

Preferred Skills:

Experience in food and beverage, CPG, oil and gas, or heavy industry environments.
Familiarity with hazardous (Class I Div 2) locations and related compliance requirements.

📝 Enhancement Note: Candidates with experience in related industries and a strong understanding of control systems and automation will be well-positioned to succeed in this role.

📊 Web Portfolio & Project Requirements (N/A - Not Applicable for this Role)

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: $70,000 - $90,000 per year (Based on industry standards for mid-senior level electrical design roles in Columbus, Ohio)

Benefits:

Competitive salary
Compensatory PTO
Comprehensive benefits package
Supportive work environment emphasizing professional growth
Flexible work environment valuing work-life balance and efficiency

Working Hours: Full-time, 40 hours per week, with minimal travel (0-5%) anticipated for this position.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Process engineering and process automation, specializing in food and beverage manufacturing.

Company Size: Medium-sized (25 offices across North America and Europe, with over 500 employees)

Founded: Not specified, but has been in business for 25 years.

Team Structure:

Collaborative, remote teams consisting of engineers, panel shops, project managers, and other specialists.
Flat hierarchy with a focus on professional growth and development.

Development Methodology:

Agile project management methodologies, with a focus on collaboration, efficiency, and high-quality deliverables.
Regular design reviews and quality assurance processes to ensure compliance, accuracy, and constructability.

Company Website: laporteconsultants.com

📝 Enhancement Note: LAPORTE's company culture emphasizes collaboration, professional growth, and a supportive work environment that values work-life balance.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Electrical Control Panel Designer Career Level: Mid-Senior level role with a focus on electrical design, component selection, and technical support for control panel projects. This role offers opportunities for professional growth and development within LAPORTE's expanding team.

Reporting Structure: This role reports directly to the project manager or engineering team lead, with opportunities for collaboration and mentorship from senior team members.

Technical Impact: The Electrical Control Panel Designer plays a critical role in ensuring the delivery of high-quality, compliant, and efficient control panel solutions that power automation systems in the food and beverage manufacturing sector.

Growth Opportunities:

Technical skill development and specialization in control panel design and related technologies.
Opportunities for career progression into senior design roles, team leadership, or project management positions.
Exposure to diverse projects and industries, fostering a well-rounded and adaptable skill set.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers significant growth potential for candidates with a strong technical foundation and a desire to develop their skills in a collaborative, supportive work environment.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: Hybrid work environment, with minimal travel required (0-5%).

Office Location(s): Columbus, Ohio, with opportunities for remote work and collaboration with team members across North America and Europe.

Workspace Context:

Collaborative, remote work environment with a focus on efficiency and communication.
Access to relevant design tools, software, and resources to support control panel design and development.
Opportunities for professional development and growth through training, mentorship, and project exposure.

Work Schedule: Full-time, 40 hours per week, with flexible scheduling to accommodate project deadlines and maintenance windows.

📝 Enhancement Note: LAPORTE's work environment emphasizes flexibility, collaboration, and professional growth, with a focus on maintaining a healthy work-life balance.

📄 Application & Technical Interview Process

Interview Process:

Resume Review: Initial screening of candidate resumes to assess relevant experience and qualifications.
Phone/Video Screen: A brief conversation to discuss the role, company, and candidate expectations.
Technical Interview: A detailed discussion of the candidate's technical skills, experience, and approach to control panel design and development.
Final Interview: A conversation with the hiring manager or team lead to assess cultural fit, motivation, and career goals.

Portfolio Review Tips: (N/A - Not Applicable for this Role)

Technical Challenge Preparation: (N/A - Not Applicable for this Role)

ATS Keywords: (N/A - Not Applicable for this Role)

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process for this role will focus on assessing the candidate's technical skills, experience, and cultural fit, with a particular emphasis on their ability to work effectively in a remote, collaborative environment.

🛠 Technology Stack & Web Infrastructure (N/A - Not Applicable for this Role)

👥 Team Culture & Values

Electrical Engineering Values:

Technical excellence and attention to detail in control panel design and development.
Collaboration and communication with team members, project managers, and stakeholders.
Compliance with industry standards, regulations, and best practices.
Continuous learning and professional development in control panel design and related technologies.

Collaboration Style:

Cross-functional collaboration with engineers, panel shops, project managers, and other specialists.
Regular design reviews and quality assurance processes to ensure compliance, accuracy, and constructability.
A supportive work environment that emphasizes professional growth, development, and work-life balance.

📝 Enhancement Note: LAPORTE's team culture emphasizes collaboration, professional growth, and a supportive work environment that values work-life balance and technical excellence.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Technical Challenges:

Designing control panels that meet the unique requirements and constraints of food and beverage manufacturing environments.
Ensuring compliance with industry standards, regulations, and customer requirements.
Collaborating effectively with remote team members and stakeholders to deliver high-quality, efficient, and safe control panel solutions.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

Technical skill development and specialization in control panel design and related technologies.
Exposure to diverse projects and industries, fostering a well-rounded and adaptable skill set.
Opportunities for career progression into senior design roles, team leadership, or project management positions.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers significant technical challenges and growth opportunities for candidates with a strong technical foundation and a desire to develop their skills in a collaborative, supportive work environment.

💡 Interview Preparation

Technical Questions:

Design Principles: Discuss your approach to control panel design, including your consideration of power requirements, voltage drop, circuit sizing, and component selection.
Industry Standards: Explain your understanding of relevant industry standards, such as NEC, NFPA 70, NFPA 79, and UL508A, and how you apply them in your designs.
Problem-Solving: Describe a challenging control panel design project you've worked on and how you approached and resolved any issues that arose.

Company & Culture Questions:

Company Culture: How do you see yourself contributing to LAPORTE's collaborative, supportive work environment that values work-life balance and technical excellence?
Professional Growth: What are your long-term career goals, and how does this role fit into your plans for professional development and growth?

Portfolio Presentation Strategy: (N/A - Not Applicable for this Role)

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process for this role will focus on assessing the candidate's technical skills, experience, and cultural fit, with a particular emphasis on their ability to work effectively in a remote, collaborative environment.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Electrical Control Panel Designer position:

Submit your application through the application link provided.
Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and qualifications for this role.
Prepare for the technical interview by reviewing your understanding of control panel design principles, industry standards, and problem-solving approaches.
Research LAPORTE's company culture, values, and mission to ensure a strong fit with your personal and professional goals.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.

Electrical Control Panel Designer