Automation and Controls Engineer

Mentor IMC Group; Katy (TX); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company in the Energy industry is seeking an Automation and Controls Engineer in Katy, TX. The successful candidate will design and implement automation solutions, working with Siemens PLCs and various communication protocols. This full-time role offers an opportunity to contribute to innovative power conversion projects, requiring strong technical expertise and collaboration with engineers and project managers.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of experience in automation and Siemens PLC programming.
• Proficiency in Siemens TIA Portal, Step 7, and WinCC.
• Knowledge of power electronics and communication protocols.

Responsibilities

• Develop, test, validate, and troubleshoot automation control systems.
• Create control narratives and block diagrams for power conversion.
• Conduct Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT) to validate automation solutions.

Skills

Siemens PLC programming

Control narrative development

HMI development

Communication protocols

System integration

Education

BSc in Electrical Engineering

BSc in Automation Engineering

Tools

Siemens TIA Portal

Step 7

WinCC

Job description

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AUTOMATION AND CONTROLS ENGINEER required by our Client, within the Energy industry to be assigned on a Permanent basis, located in Katy, TX.

POSITION SCOPE

Seeking a skilled Automation Engineer with expertise in Siemens PLC programming to design, develop, and implement automation solutions for electrical power conversion systems. The ideal candidate will be responsible for creating control narratives, block diagrams, software validation, and technical documentation to ensure efficient operation and integration of power conversion technologies.

PRINCIPAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. PLC Programming & Configuration: Develop, test, validate, and troubleshoot automation control systems for power conversion applications using Siemens PLCs (TIA Portal, Step 7, WinCC, etc.).
2. Control Narrative Development: Create control narratives outlining operational sequences, IO Lists, functional analysis, FMEA analysis, time-sequence charts, state machines, and system behavior for power conversion and distribution systems.
3. Block Diagram Design: Develop block diagrams and functional descriptions to support control system design and implementation.
4. HMI Development: Configure WinCC HMI for monitoring and controlling power conversion processes, respecting high-performance HMI design principles and graphic conventions for operator comfort and understanding. Communicate with end users for feedback and system improvements.
5. Communication Protocols: Experience with interfacing control systems or equipment through protocols such as Profinet, Profibus, Modbus TCP/RTU, J1939, CanOpen, Custom protocols over Serial/UDP, OPC UA, etc.
6. System Integration: Interface with inverters, rectifiers, transformers, switchgear, and grid-tied systems, ensuring seamless communication with PLCs.
7. Testing & Commissioning: Create testing plans and conduct Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT) to validate automation solutions in power electronics and electrical distribution environments.
8. Collaboration: Work with power engineers, electrical engineers, and project managers to ensure project success and optimal system performance.

Travel: Intermittent visits to customer sites may be required for survey and final commissioning acceptance.

EXPERIENCE / QUALIFICATIONS

• BSc in Electrical Engineering or Automation Engineering.
• 7+ years of experience in automation and Siemens PLC programming.
• Proficiency in Siemens TIA Portal, Step 7, and WinCC.
• Knowledge of power electronics, motor drives, energy storage, and grid integration.
• Ability to read and interpret P&IDs, electrical schematics, and power system documentation.
• Experience with communication protocols (PROFINET, PROFIBUS, MODBUS, OPC UA, etc.).
• Process control (Advanced PID, regulators, estimators); signal treatment (first and second order filtering, numerical computation, Kalman filter); system modeling.
• Knowledge of protective relays, load-sharing controllers, and synchronization systems is a plus.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with microgrid automation, renewable energy integration, or energy storage systems.
• Experience with process regulation.
• Knowledge of power management systems (PMS) and distributed control systems (DCS).
• Certification in Siemens automation products is an advantage.
• Knowledge of Python or other programming languages; database design and modeling (SQLite).

Seniority level

• Mid-Senior level

Employment type

• Full-time

Job function

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