Automation and Controls Engineer

GFT; Houston (TX); Hybrid; USD 110,000 - 135,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work environment

Wellness programs

Parental leave

Pet insurance

401(k)

PTO accrual

Tuition reimbursement

Professional development

Job summary

GFT seeks an Automation and Controls Engineer to join our Building and Places Group in Houston, TX. You will interface with clients and multidisciplinary teams to deliver control system upgrades and new designs, spanning municipal and industrial projects.

Responsibilities include reviewing shop drawings, instrument details, network architectures, and SCADA systems, while coordinating with contractors and vendors for successful installations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering or related field; electrical or controls preferred.
• Professional engineer (PE) license preferred or ability to obtain licensure.
• Proficiency with AutoCAD and Revit BIM; MS Office suite required.
• Experience with networking (IP addressing, VLANs, inter-VLAN routing) and IT support basics.
• Experience with ISA standards and NIST Cybersecurity Framework a plus.

Responsibilities

• Interface with clients and project team members across projects.
• Serve as I&C engineer for controls system upgrades and new designs.
• Review design docs: shop drawings, instrument details, network architectures, SCADA.

Skills

Client interfacing

I&C engineering

Network design basics

Documentation

Troubleshooting

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering

Electrical or controls engineering preferred

PE license preferred

Tools

AutoCAD

Revit BIM

MS Office

MS Project

Fortinet devices

Fiber optics

Job description

What You Will Do

GFT is seeking an Automation and Controls Engineer to join our Building and Places Group in Houston, TX.

What You’ll Be Challenged To Do

This is an excellent career opportunity for an experienced, motivated Automation and Controls Engineer who thrives in a collaborative team environment. The role highlights a customer-focused mindset and a passion for delivering exceptional quality and results on every project.

In this capacity, the successful candidate will be responsible for the following:

• You will regularly interface with clients and multidisciplinary project team members
• You will serve as I&C engineer for projects ranging from minor control system upgrades to major new system designs and installations within the municipal and industrial client spaces
• You will be responsible for the review of design documents including the following:
  • Shop level drawings for control panel designs
  • Review instrument installation details
  • Detailed (OT) and (IT) Network Architectures and Riser Diagrams
  • SCADA System architecture
• You will provide detailed network design, including fiber optics, to interconnect various network systems
• You will provide basic first-line IT network support to assist with planning, configuration, and troubleshooting of network and computer equipment along with various associated software
• You will recommend various software packages and implementations to achieve the needs of the organizations supported
• You will coordinate with contractors and vendors during network and computer equipment installations and repairs
• Oversee the management and integration of automation projects throughout the entire project life cycle
• Prepare project submittals, O&M Manuals, Testing and Commissioning plans
• Prepare as built and record documents at project completion
• Responsible for maintaining UL certifications
• Responsible for procurement and inventory services
• You will prepare project bids and construction estimates
• You will have the ability to work flexible hours to meet business needs
• You will have the ability to travel to client locations as projects assignments require approximately 40% of your time

Education | Experience:

• A strong technical background with a minimum of 5 years of hands‑on experience designing and building instrumentation and control systems is preferred
• A four-year degree in a technical or engineering related field is required, electrical or controls engineering is preferred
• A licensed professional engineer (PE), or ability to attain licensure is preferred
• Proficiency with AutoDesk AutoCAD and Revit BIM, and MS Office suite is required
• Proficiency with network IP addressing, VLANs, and inter VLAN routing as well as configuration and basic support of equipment, hardware, and software is required
• Experience with fiber‑optic planning and networks is preferred
• Experience with Fortinet network equipment is preferred
• Proficiency with scheduling tools such as MS Project is required
• Experience designing water and/or wastewater process control systems is preferred
• Previous experience with procurement processes and inventory management is preferred
• Experience with ISA standards and recommended practices is preferred
• Familiar with the NIST Cybersecurity Framework design requirements is a plus
• Must be able to work independently and to coordinate with team members in other offices
• Must have strong troubleshooting skills and capable of supporting system installation activities on a project site.
• OSHA Safety training preferred
• Be physically capable of lifting 40lbs
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills are required

Compensation

The salary range for this role is $110,000-$135,000. Salary is dependent upon experience and geographic location.

Featured Benefits

• Hybrid (in-person and remote) work environment.
• Comprehensive benefits package including wellness programs, parental leave, and pet insurance, in addition to medical, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance.
• Tax‑deferred 401(k) savings plan.
• Competitive paid‑time‑off (PTO) accrual.
• Tuition reimbursement for continued education.
• Commitment to professional development, access to internal and external training programs, and support of active participation in professional organizations
• Incentive compensation for eligible positions.

Company Overview

At GFT, a privately held AEC firm, we innovate where transportation, water, power, and buildings converge. We call this the Infrastructure of Life. We measure our success by the strength of our relationships – that’s why we’re the employer of choice for 5,000+ of the industry’s brightest engineers, planners, architects, inspectors, designers, and more.

Our clients choose us for our expertise and prefer us for our nimble approach, creativity, and personal touch. Backed by over a century’s experience, together we’re building a lasting legacy for future generations: stronger communities, a healthier planet, and better lives.

GFT: Ingenuity That Shapes Lives

GFT is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veterans’ status or other characteristics protected by law.

Unsolicited resumes from third party agencies will be considered the property GFT.

GFT does require the successful completion of a criminal background check for all advertised positions.

Location: Houston, TX

Core Business Hours:

8:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Employment Status:

Full-Time

Salary Range

$110,000-$135,000

Applicants in the County of Los Angeles

Qualified applications with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers and the California Fair Chance Act.

Applicants in the City of San Francisco

Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Applicants in the State of California

Qualified applications with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with the California Fair Chance Act.