Automation Engineer

The Hayward Group; Calgary; On-site; CAD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Discretionary bonus

Job summary

The Hayward Group is seeking an IT/OT Control Automation Specialist to design, implement, secure, and maintain industrial automation and converged IT/OT networks across Western Canada. You will bridge industrial controls with corporate IT, programming PLCs/HMI/SCADA, and managing OT cybersecurity.

Primary base in Calgary with periodic site visits, field commissioning, and control center support. Excellent breadth across instrumentation, networking, and secure OT operations is required.

Qualifications

• Diploma or degree in Instrumentation, Automation, Controls, Electrical Engineering Technology, Computer Engineering, Information Technology, or related discipline.
• 5+ years in industrial automation, control systems, SCADA, or OT/IT environments in heavy industries.
• Experience with PLC programming, HMI/SCADA development, industrial Ethernet networking (TCP/IP), and control-system troubleshooting.
• Valid Class 5 Driver’s License with clean record and willingness to travel to industrial field sites across Western Canada.

Responsibilities

• Program, configure, integrate, and troubleshoot PLC, HMI, SCADA, DCS, and historian applications across complex industrial environments.
• Perform FAT, SAT, commissioning, startup, and system cutovers at client facilities and field sites.
• Diagnose automation, software, instrumentation, and control-hardware problems to minimize downtime.
• Develop and maintain control system documentation including narratives, I/O lists, specs, and matrices.
• Design and maintain industrial Ethernet OT networks and communication links for PLCs, HMIs, and servers.

Skills

PLC programming

HMI/SCADA development

Industrial Ethernet networking

OT cybersecurity

VMware

Hyper-V

SCADA software

Field instrumentation

Education

Instrumentation/Automation degree

Tools

VMware

Hyper-V

SCADA software

Industrial Ethernet switches

Job description

Our client, a professional engineering firm, has an exciting opportunity for an IT/OT Control Automation Specialist to design, implement, secure, and maintain industrial automation, control systems, and converged IT/OT network infrastructure.

The successful candidate will bridge the gap between industrial control systems and corporate IT environments, taking a hands-on role in PLC/HMI/SCADA programming, industrial Ethernet networking, server virtualization, and OT cybersecurity. Working closely with multidisciplinary teams across Controls, Electrical, Process, Corporate IT, Field Operations, and Control Centre personnel, this role ensures reliable, secure, and compliant control system operations across industrial facilities and pipeline infrastructure in Western Canada.

Key Reasons to Apply:

• Modernize Industrial Systems: Play a central role in bridging the gap between traditional industrial automation, modern IT infrastructure, and enterprise OT cybersecurity.
• Technical Breadth & Variety: Hands-on exposure across the full technology stack, from field instrumentation, PLCs, and HMIs to SCADA servers, virtualized networks, and firewalls.
• Diverse Working Environment: Enjoy a balanced work setting featuring a primary base in Calgary with periodic site visits, field commissioning, and control center support across Western Canada.
• Professional Growth & Training: Access ongoing technical training, vendor certifications, and clear career advancement pathways within a supportive multidisciplinary team.

Qualifications:

At a minimum, we require:

• Diploma or degree in Instrumentation, Automation, Controls, Electrical Engineering Technology, Computer Engineering, Information Technology, or a closely related discipline.
• 5+ years of experience in industrial automation, control systems, SCADA, or OT/IT environments within heavy industrial sectors.
• Experience with PLC programming, HMI/SCADA development, industrial Ethernet networking (TCP/IP), and control system troubleshooting.
• Valid Class 5 Driver’s License with a clean driving record and willingness to travel to industrial field sites across Western Canada.

Ideally, you possess:

• Experience working in the oil & gas, pipeline, utilities, or related heavy-industrial industry.
• Experience working at Engineering, Procurement and Construction Management (EPCM) firms.

Job Type:

• Full Time.

Compensation:

• Discretionary Bonus, based on individual and company performance.

Responsibilities:

• Program, configure, integrate, and troubleshoot PLC, HMI, SCADA, DCS, and historian applications across complex industrial automation environments.
• Perform system testing, factory acceptance testing (FAT), site acceptance testing (SAT), commissioning, startup, and system cutovers at client facilities and field sites.
• Diagnose complex automation, software, instrumentation, and control-hardware operational anomalies to minimize process downtime.
• Develop, update, and maintain comprehensive control system documentation, including control narratives, I/O lists, system specifications, and Cause & Effect matrices.
• Design, configure, segment, and maintain industrial Ethernet OT networks and communication links supporting PLCs, HMIs, servers, and control center client systems.
• Implement and manage networking protocols and services, including VLANs, Layer 2/3 routing, NAT, DNS, DHCP, and secure VPN connections.
• Deploy, maintain, and patch Windows-based OT servers, virtualized infrastructure (VMware/Hyper-V), engineering workstations, and industrial PCs under strict change-management protocols.
• Support remote telemetry connections across cellular, radio, and satellite communication links for remote wellsites and pipeline facilities.

OT Cybersecurity & Regulatory Compliance

• Implement OT cybersecurity frameworks and architectures aligned with international standards (ISA/IEC 62443, NIST SP 800-82) and the Purdue Model.
• Configure and support firewalls, network segmentation, demilitarized zones (DMZs), secure remote access, and endpoint security across OT environments.
• Execute system hardening, patch management, vulnerability assessments, and cybersecurity auditing to safeguard critical infrastructure.
• Ensure operational systems comply with Alberta Energy Regulator (AER) standards and applicable industry safety guidelines.

Project Delivery, Technical Support & Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Collaborate across multidisciplinary teams (Controls, Electrical, Process, Corporate IT, and Field Operations) to ensure seamlessly integrated project delivery.
• Provide technical support, remote troubleshooting, and on-call incident response for client operations and control centers.
• Review and interpret electrical drawings, network diagrams, and P&IDs to support site installations, upgrades, and audits.
• Conduct periodic field site visits across Western Canada for site surveys, commissioning support, and client consultation.

Ideal Attributes:

• Strong analytical and troubleshooting skills with a methodical approach to root-cause diagnosis.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills for cross-functional coordination.
• Ability to manage multiple concurrent priorities in a fast-paced, safety-critical environment.
• High degree of reliability, punctuality, and flexibility, including participation in on-call rotations.
• Proactive mindset with a strong commitment to continuous learning and professional development.
• Ability to work independently as well as collaboratively within multidisciplinary technical teams.
• Sound judgment and discretion when handling critical-infrastructure and safety-sensitive information.
• Employees have more stable careers with the organization, than is typical in the industry.
• Team members and senior leaders are caring and compassionate. As reflected in employee engagement surveys, people are treated well, and their work success and satisfaction is of utmost importance.
• Employees work closely together, with a focus on teamwork and camaraderie. This is a lean company with a flat organizational structure.
• There is an informal, but hardworking and professional culture in the firm.
• Employees have the ability to work on a range of interesting problems with a wide variety of clients.
• Employees are encouraged to take ownership of projects, from beginning to end. They're empowered to take responsibility and make decisions.
• The firm values philanthropy, cares about the community, and contributes to charities and other humanitarian causes.

Similar Job Titles:

• Automation & ICS Specialist
• Automation & OT Specialist
• Control Automation Specialist
• Control Systems & IT Specialist
• Control Systems Automation Engineer
• Controls & Automation Specialist
• Controls & Instrumentation Specialist
• Cybersecurity & Automation Specialist