Associate Controls & Automation Engineer

Verus AEC; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Verus is seeking an Associate Automation / Controls Engineer in San Diego, CA to support development of SCADA, HMI, and PLC programs under senior mentorship. The role includes designing control panels, drafting system specs, and participating in field commissioning to validate designs on real sites.

You will collaborate with project managers and discipline leads, contribute to documentation, and communicate project status to clients while growing your expertise across platforms and standards.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Electrical, Mechanical, Mechatronics) or Computer Science.
• 0–2 years of experience; internships, senior design projects, or co-ops valued.
• Exposure to PLC programming (Allen-Bradley, Siemens, Modicon).
• Exposure to HMI/SCADA programming (Ignition, Wonderware, FTViewSE).
• Fundamental knowledge of computer configuration and basic networking.

Responsibilities

• Develop SCADA, HMI, and PLC programs based on control strategies.
• Assist in designing control panels and selecting components.
• Help develop system specs, sequences of operations, and project documentation.
• Participate in field commissioning and provide on-site support.
• Collaborate with project managers and discipline leads to keep programming on track.
• Interface with clients to report status and deliverables.

Skills

PLC Programming

HMI/SCADA Programming

Digital Literacy

Communication

Can-Do Spirit

Travel

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or Computer Science

Tools

Ignition

Wonderware

FTView SE

Job description

Associate Automation / Controls Engineer

Verus is looking for a self-motivated, organized, and results-driven Associate Controls & Automation Engineer to join our collaborative team. We are seeking someone who is passionate about solving complex problems and is eager to launch their career alongside industry experts. Our clients are the heart of our business. We want a teammate who enjoys a good challenge, remains accountable, and takes pride in hitting the milestones that help our clients succeed. Most importantly, we are looking for a "culture add" - someone who is authentic, trustworthy, has a good sense of humor, and stays humble while learning the ropes.

What Sets Verus Apart?

Verus is a Latin word meaning true, authentic, fair, and sincere. These values define our firm. We pride ourselves on a client-focused approach and a desire to provide innovative solutions that meet real-world operational objectives. We are an employee-owned company. This ownership mindset is reflected in how we support one another and how we take pride in our work. A few reasons to join us:

• Culture of Respect: Verus employees genuinely care for and support one another.
• Investment in You: We offer competitive pay, comprehensive benefits, and a clear path for professional growth.
• Balance: We have a "work hard, play hard" mentality and deeply respect work/life balance.
• Authenticity: Our people and culture are genuine - no corporate masks required.

Responsibilities:

As an Associate Engineer, you will work under the guidance of senior mentors to develop your technical toolkit. Your responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Programming & Development: Support the creation of SCADA, HMI, and PLC programs based on defined control strategies.
• Hardware Design: Assist in designing control panels and specifying industrial components.
• Documentation: Help develop system specifications, sequences of operations, and full project lifecycle documentation.
• Field Experience: Participate in system commissioning and provide on-site field support to see your designs in action.
• Collaboration: Work alongside Project Managers and discipline leads to ensure programming efforts stay on track.
• Communication: Participate in design review meetings and learn to interface with clients regarding project status and deliverables.
• Growth: Actively engage in mentorship and training to master new platforms and engineering standards.

Requirements

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Electrical, Mechanical, or Mechatronics) or Computer Science from an accredited university.
• Experience: 0-2 years of experience. We highly value relevant internships, senior design projects, or technical co-ops.
• Technical Foundation: Exposure to or a strong desire to learn:
  • PLC Programming: (e.g., Allen-Bradley, Siemens, Modicon)
  • HMI/SCADA Programming: (e.g., Ignition, Wonderware, FTViewSE)
• Digital Literacy: Fundamental knowledge of computer configuration and basic networking.
• Communication: Excellent written and verbal communication skills; ability to explain technical concepts clearly.
• The "Can-Do" Spirit: A self-motivated, energetic individual who is comfortable working in both an office setting and industrial field environments.
• Travel: Willingness to travel to client sites for commissioning and support.