Automation Engineer V

Salas O'Brien; Cincinnati (OH); Hybrid; USD 100,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Salas O’Brien is seeking an Automation Engineer to design electrical, lighting, and special systems for facilities. You will lead project execution from concept through permitting and construction, coordinating multiple disciplines and interfacing with clients.

The role emphasizes technical excellence, collaboration with project teams, and delivering code and system solutions that meet requirements. Travel is expected and you will contribute to business growth through reliable delivery.

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science in Engineering required.
• Minimum 10 years of professional experience.
• Minimum 5 years of industrial controls design and implementation experience.
• Preferred Fundamentals of Engineering exam and on track to obtain Professional Engineer License within two years.

Responsibilities

• Develop engineering scope documentation, schedules, and effort-hour estimates.
• Lead client presentations, design reviews, and project progress meetings.
• Coordinate requirements with process, instrumentation, electrical, IT disciplines, and equipment suppliers.
• Lead engineering and design activities from conception through implementation, testing, installation, commissioning and project closeout.
• Perform internal review of documents and code packages before issuance.
• Maintain and forecast project costs, schedules, and documentation for permanent files.
• Develop system architecture, requirements, test plans and commissioning schedules with external stakeholders.
• Use capabilities and resources to cost-effectively deliver code to meet full requirements.
• Set up and evaluate code prior to site installation.
• Perform installation and qualification of project code in client sites.
• Maintain client relationships and support future opportunities.

Skills

Automation specifications

Project leadership

Client interfacing

Documentation proficiency

Education

Bachelor of Science in Engineering

10+ years professional experience

5+ years industrial controls design & implementation

FE exam; PE license within 2 years

Tools

DCS/PLC software

Microsoft Office

Job description

At Salas O’Brien we tell our clients that we’re engineered for impact. This passion for making a difference applies just as much to our team as it does to our projects. That’s why we’re committed to living our values every day: inspiring, achieving, and connecting as shared owners of our success with a focus on a sustainable future.

Building for the long-term means that all of our team members can expect to work on amazing projects with a people-first approach to problem solving. It also means that each member of our team has truly limitless potential to build a unique, meaningful, and high-impact career—and they’ll receive great total rewards along the way.

About Us

Founded in 1975, Salas O’Brien is an employee-owned engineering and professional services firm focused on achieving impact for our clients, our team, and the world. We know that tomorrow’s requirements are today’s opportunities, and we are here to design lasting solutions for pressing challenges.

Process & Manufacturing Division

We work across a variety of industries providing integrated engineering and consulting services. Our technical expertise is paired with an exceptional team of professionals who bring our commitments to life every day.

Job Summary

The Automation Engineer is responsible for the engineering and design of electrical, lighting, and special systems for new and existing facilities. This role leads project execution from concept through permitting and construction, coordinates multidisciplinary teams, interfaces directly with clients, and supports business growth through technical excellence and project delivery.

Reporting Structure

This position reports to the Department Manager and works closely with project managers, discipline leaders, clients, and external stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities

• Project Planning: Develop engineering scope documentation, schedules, and effort-hour estimates.
• Client Interface: Lead client presentations both internal and external, design reviews, and project progress meetings.
• Coordination: Coordinate requirements, capabilities and schedules with process, instrumentation, electrical and IT disciplines, and equipment suppliers.
• Project Execution: Lead engineering and design activities from conception through implementation, testing, installation, commissioning and project closeout.
• Quality: Perform internal review of documents and code packages before issuance.
• Project Controls: Maintain and forecast project costs, schedules, and documentation while ensuring project records are accurately maintained for permanent files.
• Design: Develop system architecture, requirements, test plans and commissioning schedules together with external stakeholders.
• Implementation: Use capabilities, tools and other resources to cost effectively deliver code to meet full requirements.
• Testing: Effectively setup and critically evaluate code prior to site installation.
• Commissioning: Perform installation and qualification of project code in a high-pressure, high-change customer site environment.
• Business Development: Maintain existing client relationships and support future opportunities.

Education & Experience

• Bachelor of Science in Engineering (typically Electrical, Chemical, Computer or Mechanical)
• Minimum 10 years of professional experience.
• Minimum 5 years of industrial controls design and implementation experience.
• Preferred Fundamentals of Engineering exam and on track to obtain Professional Engineer License within two years.

Technical & Professional Skills

• Strong knowledge of industrial Automation and Control.
• Ability to understand and develop Automation specification documents, system architecture drawings, control platform specifications, and project schedules.
• Proficient with computer applications Microsoft Office products and DCS/PLC software platforms.
• Proficient in modular coding practices and multiple code libraries
• Familiar with IT and Automation standards, including ISA-S88, ISA-S95 and IEC 62443
• Proficient coordinate software design with internal and external project team.
• Ability to lead site software installation, checkout, testing, and customer service including interfacing with customer
• Ability to analyze unique situations and develop appropriate response

Core Competencies

• Technical excellence
• Client relationship management
• Cross-functional collaboration
• Problem solving and decision making
• Communication and presentation skills
• Results-oriented mindset

Behaviors

• Customer Focus – Demonstrates an understanding of client needs in industrial environments and delivers technical solutions that emphasize safety, reliability, compliance, and long-term value.
• Passion for Growth – Continuously develops technical, industry, and consulting skills to support personal effectiveness and firm growth
• Leadership Impact – Influences project outcomes through sound engineering/technical judgment, professionalism, and accountability
• Communication – Clearly communicates technical information, project status, issues, recommendations, etc. to clients and internal stakeholders
• Ownership – Takes responsibility for quality, schedule, and deliverables within assigned work scope
• Act With Urgency – Demonstrates a proactive sense of urgency in addressing client needs, project issues, and commitments while maintaining safety and quality standards
• Teamwork – Works collaboratively across disciplines to deliver integrated and collaborative technical solutions
• Technical Excellence – Applies solid engineering/technical fundamentals, codes, standards, and best practices to projects
• Functional Excellence – Executes work processes efficiently using tools, systems, and methodologies

Location

Part of Salas O’Brien’s Process & Manufacturing organization. Local office assignment and hybrid work expectations based on business needs.

Travel

Regular travel to project and client sites in support of design, construction, startup, and commissioning activities (estimated 20%).