Automation Engineer III

WaterAIC; Sacramento, Northern (CA, KY); Hybrid; USD 95,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

WaterAIC in Sacramento, California is seeking an experienced Automation Engineer to develop, implement, and support instrumentation, controls, and automation systems for water and wastewater facilities.

You will configure PLCs, SCADA systems, and industrial networking, optimize plant performance, ensure regulatory compliance, and collaborate with cross-functional engineering teams to deliver automation projects.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of Water and Wastewater Treatment Processes.
• Experience/certifications in multiple PLC software including Rockwell Studio5000 and Siemens TIAPortal.
• Experience/certifications in multiple SCADA platforms including Inductive Automation Ignition and Rockwell FactoryTalk.
• Knowledge of industrial networking protocols (Ethernet/IP, Modbus TCP/RTU, Profinet, etc.).
• Strong Microsoft OS, AD, virtualization (VMware/Hyper-V) experience.

Responsibilities

• Participate in lead review meetings during Pre-Sales and Initiation to assess scope and risks.
• Prepare and maintain the IODB including PLC hardware, I/O, and tag mapping.
• Design network architecture layouts and configure SCADA/ networking equipment.
• Build SCADA applications with screen development, tag integration, and security settings.
• Test and validate software through test plans and punchlist resolution.
• Provide cross-functional support and respond to scope changes with professionalism.

Skills

Automation systems knowledge

Cross-functional collaboration

Problem solving

Communication skills

Education

Professional Engineer (PE) License

ISA Certification: ISA CAP

ISA Certification: ISA CCST

Tools

Rockwell Studio5000

Siemens TIAPortal

Inductive Automation Ignition

Rockwell FactoryTalk

Legacy PLC software

Job description

This position will be responsible for developing, implementing, and supporting the instrumentation, controls, and automation systems used throughout the water and wastewater industry. This position is esponsible for configuring and programming PLCs, SCADA systems, and industrial networking equipment to monitor and control treatment plant processes, and equipment.

The position will implement and enhance automation systems and infrastructure to optimize plant performance, reduce downtime, increase process efficiencies, and meet all regulatory compliance standards. This role will collaborate cross-functionally to execute automation projects.

EssentialDutiesand Responsibilities:

Essential duties and other responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Participate in lead review meetings during Pre-Sales and Initiation phases to assess project scope, risks, and resource needs.
• PrepareandmaintaintheIODatabase(IODB)includingPLChardware,I/O,andtagmapping.
• Conduct Radio Studies and prepare Radio Study Reports.
• Design Network Architecture Layouts.

Software Development

• Build OIT and SCADA applications including screen development, tag integration, and security settings.
• Configure SCADA and networking equipment including hypervisors, switches, and reporting infrastructure.
• Configure auxiliary equipment such as VFDs, power monitors, and smart devices.

Testing and Validation

• Prepareandcustomizesoftwaretestplans.
• Address Punchlist items and ensure system readiness.

SupportActivities

• Attendandleadworkshopsandmeetings.
• Address unanticipated scope changes with flexibility and professionalism.
• Perform other related and associated duties as assigned by the Team Lead and Manager.

Qualifications:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Required Education and Experience:

• KnowledgeoftheWaterandWastewaterTreatmentProcess.
• Experience/CertificationsinmultiplePLCsoftwareincludingbutnotlimitedto: Rockwell–Studio5000
• Siemens–TIAPortal
• LegacyPLCsoftware
• Experience/CertificationsinmultipleSCADAplatformsincludingbutnotlimitedto: InductiveAutomation–Ignition
• Rockwell–FactoryTalk
• Knowledge of networking practices and industrial networking protocols commonly used in OT environments(Ethernet/IP,ModbusTCP/RTU,Profinet,etc.)
• Strong knowledge in Microsoft Operating Systems, Active Directory, virtualized environment (VMWare, HyperV),andotherautomationsupportingsoftware.
• Strongcommunicationandcollaborationskillsworkingwithcross-functionalengineeringteams.
• Familiarity with industry standards, regulatory requirements, quality systems, and lean manufacturing.
• Willingness to continuously expand automation skillset and keep current with the latest technologies.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations:

• Professional Engineer (PE) License
• ISA Certifications such as ISA CAP and ISA CCST

Toperformthisjobsuccessfully,anindividualshoulddemonstratethefollowingcompetencies:

• Empowering Employees
• Builds and nurtures productive relationships across departments and with external partners. Shares knowledge and resources, values diverse perspectives, and contributes to a culture of mutual support and trust.
• Client Solutions
• Maintains a service-oriented mindset toward both internal and external stakeholders. Actively listens to understand needs, resolves issues efficiently, and ensures satisfaction with deliverables and interactions. Tracks progress, identifies gaps, and takes corrective action as needed. Approaches tasks with urgency and accountability.
• Applies logical, structured approaches to problem-solving. Identifies key variables, evaluates alternatives, and conducts cost-benefit or risk analyses to support sound decision-making. Recognizes inconsistencies in data and prioritizes tasks effectively. Embraces a culture of continuous improvement.
• Effective Communication
• Communicates clearly, consistently, and proactively across all levels of the organization. Shares important information in a timely manner and ensures alignment with team members and leadership. Keeps managers informed of progress, challenges, and potential risks—avoiding surprises.
• Integrity and Professionalism
• Upholds the highest ethical standards in all actions and decisions. Demonstrates honesty, transparency, and respect for others. Fosters an inclusive environment and supports the organization’s diversity and equity initiatives.

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfullyperformtheessentialfunctionsofthisjob.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms and talk, hear, taste, and smell. The employee is frequently required to stand, walk, climb or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, and/or crawl. The employee is occasionally required to sit. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performingtheessentialfunctionsofthisjob.

Office–Thenoiselevelintheworkenvironmentisusuallymoderate.

Job Site – While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently exposed to moving mechanical parts, fumes, or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, outside weather conditions, extreme cold, extreme heat, and vibration. The noise level in the work environment is usually loud.

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

Equal Opportunity Employer

The Company is an Affimative Action and Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability. Equal Employment Opportunity Posters if you’d like to view a copy of the company’s affirmative action plan or policy statement, please email [e-mail]. If you have a disability and you believe you need a reasonable accommodation in order to search for a job opening or to submit an online application, please e-mail [e-mail] or call toll-free 559-441-1900 .

This email and phone number is created exclusively to assist disabled job seekers whose disability prevents them from being able to apply online. Only messages left for this purpose will be returned. Messages left for other purposes, such as following up on an application or technical issues not related to a disability, will not receive a response.

Notice to Staffing Agencies

The Company will not accept unsolicited resumes from any source other than directly from candidates. Any unsolicited resumes sent to the Company, including via mailing address, fax machine, email, or directly to employees, will be considered the property of the Company. The Company will not pay any fee for placements resulting from unsolicited resumes. The Company will consider any candidate for whom an Agency has submitted an unsolicited resume to have been referred by the Agency free of any charges or fees.

Agencies must receive advance written approval from the Company’s recruiting representative before submitting resumes, and only in conjunction with a valid, fully executed contract for service and in response to a specific job opening. The Company will not pay fees to any Agency without such an agreement in place. Agency agreements must be in writing and signed by the Human Resources Representative or their designee; no other Company employee is authorized to enter into agreements regarding candidate placements on behalf of the Company. Please send any questions or concern to [e-mail] .