Automation Engineer Systems Integrator Programmer

E.W.P. Group; Fort Mill (SC); On-site; USD 95,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

Join E.W.P. Group in Fort Mill, SC as a Programmer III – Industrial Automation. You will design, develop, deploy advanced HMI/SCADA systems and complex PLC programs for municipal and industrial clients, coordinating with project teams to ensure secure, scalable solutions.

Expect 25%–50% regional travel and on-site collaboration with experienced engineers and technicians. You’ll lead testing, startup, and commissioning activities, maintain detailed documentation, and apply OT cybersecurity best

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Automation Engineering, or related field.
• 5+ years systems integration experience in water, wastewater, municipal utilities, or heavy industrial process control.
• Experience deploying industrial automation systems with Ignition, Rockwell Automation, AVEVA Wonderware, and Siemens.
• Advanced PLC and HMI/SCADA programming and troubleshooting capabilities.
• Strong scripting or programming skills using Python/Jython, SQL, Structured Text.
• Strong understanding of industrial networking, managed switches, firewalls, and fieldbus architectures.
• Experience integrating OT and IT systems.
• Experience with SQL databases such as Microsoft SQL Server or PostgreSQL for historians, reporting, or asset management applications.
• Ability to diagnose and resolve complex automation and integration issues.
• Strong communication and the ability to serve as a technical resource across project teams.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, configure, and deploy advanced HMI and SCADA systems using platforms including: Ignition, AVEVA Wonderware, and FactoryTalk View.
• Develop, modify, optimize, and troubleshoot complex PLC applications using Rockwell Studio 5000/Logix Designer and Siemens TIA Portal.
• Design and implement secure integrations between OT networks, MQTT brokers, enterprise IT systems, and SQL databases.
• Configure and troubleshoot industrial communication protocols, including Modbus, OPC-UA, and Profinet across serial and Ethernet architectures.
• Develop data logging and automated reporting solutions using Ignition, SmartSights XLReporter, and related technologies.
• Diagnose and resolve complex software, networking, database, and hardware communication issues.
• Apply operational technology cybersecurity principles to protect critical infrastructure and automation systems.
• Lead programming activities during system testing, startup, and commissioning.
• Develop and maintain detailed network diagrams, control narratives, tagging structures, and software version histories.
• Make technical programming and integration decisions within assigned projects and identify solutions to complex system challenges.
• Coordinate with technical leads, engineers, project managers, customers, and other stakeholders throughout the project lifecycle.

Skills

Systems integration

Python/Jython

SQL

Structured Text

HMI/SCADA programming

Industrial networking

OT/IT integration

Troubleshooting

Cross-team collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Automation Engineering, or related field

Tools

Ignition

AVEVA Wonderware

Rockwell Studio 5000/Logix Designer

Siemens TIA Portal

Microsoft SQL Server

PostgreSQL

Job description

Brief Description

Programmer III – Industrial Automation

Join E.W.P. Group

E.W.P. Group is a 100% employee-owned industrial solutions company headquartered in Fort Mill, South Carolina. Through our Automation and Distribution business units, we provide industrial automation, process equipment, instrumentation, and engineered solutions to municipal and industrial customers.

Our history is built on the experience and reputation of our legacy brands: E.W. Process, Lord & Company, R.A. Moore, and MacGuire & Crawford.

We are seeking a Programmer III – Industrial Automation to join our Automation business unit in Fort Mill, SC. This role supports the work historically associated with our Lord & Company legacy brand, which has provided industrial automation systems and solutions to municipal and industrial customers since 1982.

The Opportunity

As a Programmer III, you will design, develop, and deploy sophisticated automation and systems integration solutions supporting critical industrial and utility infrastructure.

You will take ownership of complex programming and integration assignments involving PLCs, HMI/SCADA platforms, industrial networks, databases, telemetry, and OT/IT connectivity. You will collaborate with project teams and other programmers while helping ensure systems are reliable, secure, maintainable, and aligned with customer requirements.

What You’ll Do

• Design, develop, configure, and deploy advanced HMI and SCADA systems using platforms including: Ignition, AVEVA Wonderware, and FactoryTalk View
• Develop, modify, optimize, and troubleshoot complex PLC applications using Rockwell Automation Studio 5000/Logix Designer and Siemens TIA Portal.
• Design and implement secure integrations between operational technology (OT) networks, MQTT brokers, enterprise IT systems, and SQL databases.
• Configure and troubleshoot industrial communication protocols, including Modbus, OPC-UA, and Profinet across serial and Ethernet architectures.
• Develop data logging and automated reporting solutions using Ignition, SmartSights XLReporter, and related technologies.
• Diagnose and resolve complex software, networking, database, and hardware communication issues.
• Apply operational technology cybersecurity principles to protect critical infrastructure and automation systems.
• Lead programming activities during system testing, startup, and commissioning.
• Develop and maintain detailed network diagrams, control narratives, tagging structures, and software version histories.
• Make technical programming and integration decisions within assigned projects and identify solutions to complex system challenges.
• Coordinate with technical leads, engineers, project managers, customers, and other stakeholders throughout the project lifecycle.

What We’re Looking For

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Automation Engineering, or a related technical field.
• 5+ years of hands-on systems integration experience, preferably within water, wastewater, municipal utilities, or heavy industrial process control.
• Demonstrated experience successfully deploying industrial automation systems using platforms such as Ignition, Rockwell Automation, AVEVA Wonderware, and Siemens.
• Advanced PLC and HMI/SCADA programming and troubleshooting capabilities.
• Strong scripting or programming skills using Python/Jython, SQL, Structured Text, or related languages.
• Strong understanding of industrial networking, managed switches, firewalls, communication protocols, and fieldbus architectures.
• Experience integrating operational technology and information technology systems.
• Experience with SQL databases such as Microsoft SQL Server or PostgreSQL for historians, reporting, or asset management applications.
• Ability to independently diagnose and resolve complex automation and integration issues.
• Strong communication skills and the ability to serve as a technical resource across project teams.

Preferred Qualifications

• Ignition Credentialed or Certified Developer status.
• Relevant industry certifications, such as ISA Certified Automation Professional.
• Experience working with municipal utilities or engineering consulting firms.
• Experience implementing industrial cybersecurity solutions within critical infrastructure environments.

Other

Regional travel expected, approximately 25% up to 50%.

Participation in an on-call rotation, including weekend emergency support when scheduled.

Why E.W.P. Group?

At E.W.P. Group, you’ll work alongside experienced engineers, programmers, project managers, technicians, and industry professionals to deliver solutions that keep critical industrial and municipal systems operating.

As a 100% employee-owned company, our employees have the opportunity to share in the long-term value they help create. When E.W.P. Group succeeds, our employee-owners share in that success.

Build your career. Make an impact. Own your future.

We are committed to being an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, disability, marital status, familial status, sexual orientation, pregnancy, genetic information, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, veteran status, and any other legally protected status under federal, state, or local anti-discrimination laws.

E.W.P. Group participates in E-Verify