Meet Chris Stephens, a Business Manager and Senior Controls Engineer based out of our Golden, Colorado office. A leader in both hardware and software engineering, Chris plays a key role on our team and many of our largest projects. Best described as dedicated, innovative, and practical, it’s an honor to have him on our team and share his spotlight interview this month!
How long have you been with LSI?
I have been with LSI for 11 years.
Describe your current role and experience at LSI
I am a Controls Engineer and Business Manager at LSI. I primarily work on hardware and software design in various industries, with food and beverage being the primary industry. On the hardware side, I’m involved in electrical design—control panels, motor control, instrumentation, and power distribution. On the software side, I’m designing control systems, including server architecture, HMI graphics, and process control (PLCs, etc.).
In my role, I also interact directly with clients to understand their needs and manage teams to get the work done. Currently, I am working on a multi-year greenfield project for a large food manufacturer in Alabama. I’m involved in designing and implementing the network infrastructure (both IT and OT), integration of numerous vendor PLCs, and engineering design of the two bakeries.
Where did you go to college?
I studied Electrical and Mechanical Engineering at the Colorado School of Mines and graduated in 2013.
What industries have you been involved in?
- Brewing
- Food and Beverage
- Material Handling
- Mining
- Oil and Gas
- Pulp and Paper
Tell us about a project success story you are proud of.
I was the lead engineer on a multi-year facility-wide PLC-5 to ControlLogix upgrade that consisted of converting 39 PLCs with thousands of I/O. The project utilized several engineers from multiple LSI offices, and the client had a very difficult schedule, with many of the conversions taking place on the weekend during night shifts. Together with the team, we finished the project ahead of time without causing any lost time in production and provided a more robust product that was easier to troubleshoot.
What do you think is unique about LSI?
The culture. Not only do I work with a group of very talented individuals who care about the work that they produce, but we are also a tight-knit family. I have several coworkers who have evolved into friends outside of work. In our office, we take the “work hard, play hard” mentality to heart.
I also really appreciate how people are so willing to teach and help others, and there is no hoarding-of-information mentality to speak of. When faced with a situation or problem that you don’t have experience with, being able to email the LSI Engineers group and get loads of responses from someone who has been there and done that is invaluable.
How have you grown professionally since joining LSI?
Since joining LSI, I have had the opportunity to solve a wide array of design problems that included:
- Panel design
- Panelboard and power
- Breaker and fuse coordination
- Motor Control Center specifications
- Lighting
- Grounding and bonding
- Lightning protection
- Hazardous Areas
Additionally, I have been able to see and program several processes on various software platforms, including:
- Allen Bradley (PLC5, SLC500, MicroLogix, ControlLogix)
- DeltaV
- Foxboro
- SCADAPack
- ABB TotalFlow
What advice do you have for aspiring engineers?
It is very important to be open to learning hardware and software. Knowing both the hardware and software side of Controls Engineering will give you a huge advantage when you start tackling more challenging projects. This will open you up to more opportunities, as some projects require someone who can do the entire project from start to finish.
It is essential to branch out into different industries. Seeing how things are done in a wide array of industries and clients makes you more well-rounded and gives you the ability to bring something to the table with a client that they may have never thought of, as many times they’ve only seen it done one way in their industry.
What is your favorite vacation spot?
Anywhere that I can golf and fish in the same trip, but most recently, I was in Alaska for a wedding, and the pure beauty and wildness of that place has made it my new favorite.
Do you have any hobbies or random facts about yourself that you could share with us?
My favorite hobby is fly fishing. Nothing is more relaxing than chasing trout in a stream by yourself in the middle of nowhere.