Automation Engineer - Mission Critical

McCarthy Building Companies, Inc.; St. Louis (MO); On-site; USD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Total Rewards benefits program

Award-winning training programs

Job summary

McCarthy Building Companies, Inc. is seeking an experienced automation engineer to design, develop, and implement control systems for industrial processes and critical infrastructure. The role focuses on maximizing equipment reliability, with site-based work and extensive travel across the Central Region.

You will mentor teammates, ensure safety compliance, and collaborate with Operations and Engineering teams to optimize systems and deliver projects on time and within budget.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in CS/EE/ME or 4+ years of equivalent experience.
• Willing to work a flexible schedule including weekends/nights/holidays.
• 2+ years of PLC-controlled automation experience in continuous processes.
• 2+ years of Ladder Logic programming (Allen-Brady or similar).
• Experience leading and mentoring automation engineers.
• Advanced proficiency in verbal and written English.
• 2+ years of experience identifying, maintaining, troubleshooting, programming, and designing HMI and control network components.
• 2+ years of experience with electrical theory, robotics, controls components, automated equipment.
• 2+ years of reading mechanical and electrical drawings.
• Ability to interpret policies; continuous improvement mindset.
• 2+ years of industrial electrical hands-on experience and troubleshooting (480V 3-phase, 110 VAC, 24VDC).
• 2+ years in controls design or programming; system integration experience.
• Ability to read mechanical, electrical, and plumbing plans.

Responsibilities

• Site technical expert in automation control systems.
• Train and mentor less experienced team members on safety and technical training.
• Design and develop control systems and software; implement and optimize automation processes.
• Maintain and troubleshoot control systems and machinery.
• Enforce strict documentation for all automation processes and programs.
• Collaborate with client teams to drive system optimization and project implementation.
• Troubleshoot and support PLC/PC controls and industrial networks.
• Escalate downtime situations to vendors and leadership for rapid resolution.
• Uphold safety standards per company policies.

Skills

PLC programming

Ladder Logic

HMI/SCADA

Team leadership

English proficiency

Electrical troubleshooting

Reading drawings

Travel flexibility

Safety compliance

Continuous improvement

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering or CS or equivalent

Tools

Allen-Bradley PLC tooling

SCADA software

HMI software

AutoCAD for drawings interpretation

Job description

McCarthy Building Companies, Inc. is America's premier, 100% employee-owned commercial construction company. With offices nationwide, we specialize in a wide range of project types that are as diverse and wide-ranging as the communities in which we build. Our innovative teams collaborate with clients and industry partners throughout the project life cycle, starting in the earliest stages of design, throughout construction and beyond project completion. McCarthy’s reputation for tackling the toughest building challenges starts with our focus on developing high-performing individuals and teams. We do this through our award-winning training programs, a best-in-class Total Rewards benefits program, and a focus on equipping diverse teams of employee owners through a connected and inclusive culture aligned with our core values of: Genuine. We, Not I. All In.

How do McCarthy partners define our culture?

• We Live Our Core Values: We do whatever it takes to deliver on our promises with honesty and integrity.
• We are Employee Owned: We are personally invested in building the things people need in our communities.
• We Feel Like a Family: We value genuine connections and help each other succeed in an inclusive environment.
• We are Builders: We respect the work we do and everyone who helps make it happen safely.

Position Summary

Supports the larger project team with designing, developing, and implementing automation control systems for various industrial processes and critical infrastructure. Demonstrates knowledge of common engineering principles, programming languages, and control system technologies. Maximizes equipment reliability and operational performance of equipment such as conveyors, sortation systems, scanners, cameras, print and apply systems, and SCADA devices and programs. Follows all necessary policies and procedures, especially related to safety.

This is a full-time, site-based position that requires extensive travel to locations that span the Central Region. Travel subsistence and additional incentives provided per company guidelines.

Responsibilities

• Site technical expert in automation control systems.
• Train and mentor less experienced team members to ensure compliance with all company and client safety and technical training requirements.
• Design and develop control systems and software programs. Implement and optimize automation processes. Maintain and troubleshoot control systems and machinery.
• Enforce and follow a strict documentation process for all automation processes and programs.
• Work closely with client teams such as building Operations, and various Engineering, Continuous improvement and other support teams to drive system optimization and project implementation.
• Understand, maintain and troubleshoot control systems, including PLC/PC controllers and industrial networks such as Ethernet, ControlNet, DeviceNet, Profibus, ASi bus, motor control systems, servo drives, frequency drives, and electrical distribution systems.
• Act as the first level of escalation support to both Project Engineers and other less experienced Automation Engineers, during and after business hours.
• Appropriately escape downtime situations to vendors and senior leadership for support to restore equipment operation.
• Continually enforces safety to the highest standards by enforcing all company policy and procedures.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in computer science, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, automation engineering, or equivalent OR 4+ years of equivalent professional experience.
• Work a flexible schedule/shift/work area, including weekends, nights, and/or holidays
• 2+ years of experience with PLC-controlled automation and issue diagnosis in a continuous process or production environment.
• 2+ years of experience with Ladder Logic and structure programming from Allen-Brady, or similar.
• Experience acting in a team lead capacity that supports, trains, and mentors less experienced automation engineering professionals.
• Advanced proficiency in verbal and written English.
• 2+ years of experience identifying, maintaining, troubleshooting, programming, and designing HMI and control network components.
• 2+ years of experience with electrical theory, robotics, controls components, automated equipment.
• 2+ years of experience interpreting, modifying, and developing mechanical and electrical drawings.
• Ability to interpret and understand policies and procedures and relate them to others.
• Continuous improvement mindset.
• 2+ years of experience of industrial electrical hands-on experience and troubleshooting, including 480V 3-phase, 110 VAC, and 24VDC systems.
• 2+ years of experience in controls design or programming experience.
• 2+ years of system integration experience.
• Problem-solving mindset for debugging systems.
• Ability to read and understand mechanical, electrical, and plumbing plans is required.
• Adaptability and continuous learning to keep up with industry trends.
• Experience driving continuous improvement or programmatic solutions in relation to automated equipment.
• Ability to meet attendance schedule with dependability and consistency.
• Experience working with multiple stakeholders (Operations, Safety, etc.) to coordinate complex maintenance activities.
• Excellent computer skills and proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint).
• Must have a proven commitment to Safety
• Must be able to safely and legally operate a vehicle.
• Ability to travel as necessary, including overnight stays.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Must be able to wear helmets, safety goggles, fall protection harness and safety boots to safely perform job duties
• Must be able to twist the trunk of your body 90 degrees in each direction
• Must be able to squat and touch the floor with both hands
• Must be able to reach your hands over the head
• Must be able to stand on concrete surfaces for extended periods, routinely up to 4 hours
• This position is moderately physical and requires regular use of hands, fingers, walking, stooping, kneeling and climbing ladders
• It requires employees to regularly lift and or move up to 10 lbs
• Must be able to safely use a ladder with a 300lb total weight limit
• Must be able to maneuver access areas, as small as 30” vertical x 45” horizontal
• Must be able to comfortably and routinely access rooftops with extension and/or fixed ladders at heights of 15’ to 20’, and occasionally, up to 50 feet +
• This role may be exposed to variable weather conditions, moving mechanical parts, heights, risk of electrical shock, noisy operating equipment and other variable environmental conditions based on location

McCarthy is proud to be an equal opportunity employer, including disability and protected veteran status.

NOTICE TO EXTERNAL SEARCH FIRMS: McCarthy’s Talent Acquisition Team is the only authorized representative permitted to engage with external search firms, staffing agencies, or other third-party recruiting partners. McCarthy maintains an Approved Agency List for recruiting partners, which is reviewed and updated annually.

McCarthy will only consider submissions from agencies with a signed fee agreement in place for the current year. McCarthy does not accept unsolicited resumes, candidate submissions, or referrals from agencies that do not meet these requirements.

If a candidate is submitted without an active agreement, McCarthy will have no obligation to pay any fees and reserves the right to contact, engage, interview, or hire such candidate(s) without any financial or other responsibility to the submitting agency. Unsolicited resumes, including those sent directly to hiring managers or other employees, will be considered the property of McCarthy.