Automation & Controls / Instrumentation Engineer

MartinFederal Consulting, LLC; Beltsville (MD); On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

MartinFederal Consulting, LLC is seeking an Automation & Controls / Instrumentation Engineer to support design, implementation, maintenance, and improvement of PLC-based control systems, DAQ, and SCADA/HMI applications in fire testing and research labs.

You will troubleshoot and maintain instrumentation and data acquisition systems, collaborate with lab personnel, and help modernize laboratory operations while ensuring compliant, reliable data collection.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical/Controls/Automation Engineering with 7+ years of relevant experience; or Master's with 5+ years.
• Experience designing and maintaining industrial automation and control systems.
• Hands-on PLC-based control systems experience with I/O integration and instrumentation.

Responsibilities

• Design, program, and maintain PLC-based automation and control systems.
• Develop SCADA/HMI applications and industrial networks.
• Support DAQ systems and instrumentation; data collection.
• Perform system commissioning, validation, and preventive maintenance.
• Create engineering documentation and wiring diagrams.

Skills

PLC programming

SCADA/HMI

Instrumentation

SQL data analysis

VBA scripting

Electrical schematics

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical/Controls/Automation/Instrumentation Engineering

Master's degree in a related field

Tools

Studio 5000

GE iFIX/FactoryTalk/Ignition

SQL Server

VBA

Job description

Company Overview

Founded in 2007 in Huntsville, AL, MartinFed provides the U.S. government with customer-focused, performance-based solutions using technology and an empowered workforce as an engine to drive its customers' missions. Our goal is to attract the best and brightest within their field.

We Invest In Our People Because They Are Our Greatest Asset. They Cultivate Our Purpose, Embody And Reflect Our Core Values, And Define Our Culture. MartinFed's Core Values That Set Us Apart Are The Following

• Be Driven - We are fueled by the hunger to learn more and do more.
• Be Curious - We engage in continuous improvement - never accepting the status quo.
• Be Humble - We seek honest feedback to strengthen our relationships.
• Pursue Excellence - We strive to achieve extraordinary results and do not settle for mediocrity.

Job Overview

MartinFed is seeking a highly motivated Automation & Controls / Instrumentation Engineer to support the design, implementation, maintenance, and continuous improvement of industrial automation, data acquisition, and instrumentation systems used in fire testing and research laboratories. The successful candidate will develop, troubleshoot, and maintain PLC-based control systems, SCADA/HMI applications, program VBA, C and SQL program languages, industrial instrumentation, and data acquisition systems while ensuring reliable operation, accurate data collection, and compliance with laboratory testing requirements. This role requires willingness to learn new technical devices and flexibility to collaborate with laboratory personnel to support testing operations and modernization projects.

Essential Functions

• Design, program, configure, troubleshoot, and maintain PLC-based automation and control systems, including analog and digital I/O.
• Develop and maintain SCADA/HMI applications, industrial networks, and communication interfaces including EtherNet/IP, Modbus, and OPC.
• Design, configure, and support data acquisition (DAQ) systems, instrumentation, sensors, and automated data collection systems.
• Install, calibrate, maintain, and troubleshoot laboratory instrumentation including temperature, pressure, flow, load cell, heat flux, gas analysis, and humidity sensors.
• Support SQL databases, data historians, and engineering applications used to collect, process, and analyze test data.
• Perform system commissioning, validation, preventive maintenance, and troubleshooting to ensure reliable operation.
• Develop and maintain engineering documentation, wiring diagrams, procedures, and system configuration records.
• Provide hands‑on technical support during laboratory testing and research activities and collaborate with laboratory personnel on system improvements and modernization.

Qualifications

• U.S. Citizen with the ability to obtain and maintain a DOJ security clearance.
• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Controls Engineering, Automation Engineering, Instrumentation Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related technical field with at least 7 years of relevant experience; or a Master's degree with at least 5 years of relevant experience.
• Demonstrated experience designing, programming, troubleshooting, and maintaining industrial automation and control systems.
• Hands‑on experience with PLC-based control systems, including programming, configuration, troubleshooting, and I/O integration.
• Experience working with industrial instrumentation and sensors, including installation, calibration, signal verification, and troubleshooting.
• Experience with SCADA/HMI systems used for equipment monitoring, control, and data visualization.
• Working knowledge of industrial communication protocols and networks, such as EtherNet/IP, Modbus TCP/RTU, and/or OPC.
• Experience with data acquisition (DAQ) systems and analog/digital signal acquisition.
• Ability to read and interpret electrical schematics, wiring diagrams, P&IDs, control drawings, and technical documentation.
• Experience troubleshooting integrated systems involving PLCs, instrumentation, electrical controls, networks, and software.
• Experience supporting system commissioning, testing, validation, preventive maintenance, and/or laboratory operations.
• Working knowledge of programming/scripting and data‑management technologies such as VBA, C/C++, SQL, or similar languages.
• Strong analytical, troubleshooting, documentation, and communication skills, with the ability to work directly with engineers, technicians, and laboratory personnel.

Desired Skills

• Experience with Allen‑Bradley ControlLogix/CompactLogix PLCs and Studio 5000, including Ladder Logic and Structured Text.
• Experience with SCADA/HMI systems such as GE iFIX, FactoryTalk View, or Ignition, including OPC DA/UA.
• Knowledge of industrial networking and communications, including EtherNet/IP and Modbus TCP/RTU.
• Hands‑on experience with DAQ systems, instrumentation, sensor calibration, and analog/digital I/O.
• Experience with SQL Server, data historians, Excel/VBA, and C/C++ or similar programming languages.
• Ability to read and troubleshoot electrical schematics, control panels, wiring, and integrated automation systems.
• Experience in a laboratory, R&D, testing, or industrial environment preferred.

Physical Requirements / Environmental Conditions

• Laboratory setting.
• Be able to stand for long periods of time and operate several pieces of scientific equipment simultaneously.
• Use their hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools, or controls.
• Be able to lift 50 pounds for a short period of time on a regular basis.

Other Duties

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

MartinFederal is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regards to race, color, religion, religious creed, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, transgender, pregnancy, marital status, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, age, disability, protected Veteran Status, genetics or any other characteristics protected by applicable federal, state or local law.

If you are a qualified individual with a disability or disabled veteran, you have the right to request a reasonable accommodation if you are unable or limited in your ability to use or access MartinFederal's current openings as a result of your disability. You can request reasonable accommodations by calling 855.212.1810. Thank you for your interest in MartinFederal Consulting.

Please Note: All positions at MartinFed are contingent upon passing a background check prior to a start date and are subject to random drug screenings during the employment period. In addition, MartinFed is an E-Verify employer.