Automation and Control System Developer

HDR; Billings (MT); On-site; USD 66,000 - 94,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision plan

Life insurance

Retirement match

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

HDR is seeking an Automation and Control Systems Applications Developer in Montana to design and implement control systems for high-stakes infrastructures. You will program SCADA/PLC/HMI, test and commission systems, and coordinate with design, construction, and client teams to ensure project success.

The role requires 5+ years in process control programming, strong communication, and willingness to travel for projects across water, oil & gas, power, mining, and industrial facilities.

Qualifications

• Associate’s degree in engineering or related field.
• Minimum 5 years of engineering experience in the discipline.
• Aptitude and hands-on experience with discipline-specific computer applications.
• Knowledge of industry standards.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office.
• Good verbal and written communication skills.
• Commitment to employee-owned culture.

Responsibilities

• Programming the project control system (SCADA, PLC, HMI, Historian, communications).
• Manage project tasks within scope, budget, and schedule.
• Coordinate with design, construction, and startup team leader for the project control system.
• Download, test, and document control system programs and communications.
• Participate in field testing and commissioning of the control system.
• Willingness to travel as necessary; travel frequency varies by project.

Skills

Verbal and written communication

Microsoft Office

Team collaboration

Leadership

Education

Associate’s degree in engineering or related field

Tools

SCADA

PLC

HMI

OIT

Job description

Automation and Control Systems Applications Developer

As part of HDR’s Building Engineering Services Group, you’ll help design the critical infrastructure that supports the digital age and shapes the spaces where people work, connect, and thrive. From high-performance data centers driving the future of AI to dynamic commercial environments, your work directly supports technological advancement, sustainability, and human experience.

The Automation and Control Systems Applications Developer will be responsible for programming, testing, implementing, and commissioning the control system as designed. The role also includes coordination of the control system with the design team, construction team, and client.

Responsibilities

• Programming the project control system as defined by the project scope – SCADA, PLC, HMI, Historian, communications hardware, etc.
• Manage project tasks within scope, budget, and schedule
• Coordinate with design, construction, and start-up team leader for project control system
• Download, test, and document control system programs and communication systems as defined in scope
• Participate in field testing and commissioning of the control system
• Must be willing to travel as necessary; duration and frequency of travel will depend on project/HDR needs

Preferred Qualifications

• Minimum of 5+ years’ experience in process control system programming – Supervisory Controls and Data Acquisition (SCADA), Programmable Logic Controllers (PLC’s), Human Machine Interface (HMI), Operator Interface Terminals (OIT’s), industrial communication networks setup and testing, and assistance in start-up and commissioning
• Excellent communication, leadership, and planning skills, and ability to thrive in a team environment; position requires very strong skills in preparing client presentations, project memoranda, and reports
• Attitude and commitment to being an active participant of employee-owned culture
• Preference given to local candidates
• Experience working in water and wastewater facilities, oil & gas industry, power generation and distribution, mining, and other industrial facilities
• Proven track record in programming leadership as well as the ability to develop and implement standard engineering practices and provide detailed documentation upon project completion

Required Qualifications

• Associate’s degree in engineering or related field of study or equivalent work experience
• A minimum of 5 years of engineering experience in the discipline to be supported
• Aptitude and demonstrated hands-on experience with computer applications specific to the discipline to be supported
• Knowledge of industry standards specific to the discipline being supported
• Proficient with Microsoft Office
• Good verbal and written communication skills
• An attitude and commitment to being an active participant of our employee-owned culture is a must

Benefits

We provide a comprehensive benefits package that promotes employee ownership, employee health, performance, and success, which includes medical, dental, vision, short- and long-term disability, life insurance, an employee assistance program, paid time away, parental leave, paid holidays, a retirement savings plan with employer match, employee referral bonus, and tuition reimbursement.

Compensation and Location

Expected compensation range depends upon skills, experience, education and geographical location. (Stated benefits are for full-time regular positions. Temporary and part-time roles eligible for limited benefits.) Montana: $66,000 – $94,000

Primary Location: United States-Montana-Missoula

Other Locations: United States-Montana-Billings, United States-Montana-Butte

Industry: Building Engineering

Schedule: Full-time

Employee Status: Regular

Business Class: Control Systems and OT Cybersecurity

Job Posting: Mar 2, 2026

EEO Statement

At HDR, we are committed to the principles of employment equity. We are an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer. We consider all qualified applicants, regardless of criminal histories, arrest and conviction records.