Control Systems Engineer — PLC/HMI & Field Commissioning

Vandevanter Engineering, A Cogent Company; St. Louis (MO); Hybrid; USD 70,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Cogent, Inc. is seeking a Control Systems Engineer to design and support advanced industrial automation projects. You will work with cross-functional teams to deliver reliable control systems from concept through commissioning.

The role combines hardware selection, PLC/HMI/SCADA development, documentation, and on-site or remote commissioning, with travel up to 20% and a mix of office and field work.

Qualifications

• Degree in engineering or a technical field required.
• Experience in industrial control system design, programming, and integration.
• Familiarity with PLC/HMI platforms (Allen-Bradley preferred).
• Valid driver’s license and ability to travel as project needs require.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop industrial control systems, including hardware selection, schematic design, and programming.
• Develop PLC, HMI, and SCADA applications.
• Prepare system specifications, I/O lists, and documentation packages.
• Coordinate with mechanical, electrical, and software engineering teams for seamless system integration.
• Provide technical support for control panel fabrication, wiring, and testing.
• Conduct on-site or remote system commissioning, testing, and operator training.
• Assist with project management tasks - scope definition, quoting, scheduling, and budget tracking.
• Support sales and estimating teams with control system concepts and scope development.
• Troubleshoot system and instrumentation issues to ensure reliable operation.
• Contribute to standardization and continuous improvement of Cogent's design and engineering practices.

Skills

Industrial control system design

PLC/HMI programming

Instrumentation & VFD integration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering/Technical field

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

AutoCAD

AutoCAD Electrical

SCADA

Job description

• Pay or shift range: $70,000 USD to $130,000 USD
  
  The estimated range is the budgeted amount for this position. Final offers are based on various factors, including skill set, experience, location, qualifications and other job-related reasons.

Description

The Control Systems Engineer quotes, designs, programs, and supports innovative industrial control systems, from initial concept through commissioning. This role works closely with engineers, fabricators, and field service teams to ensure reliable, high-performance automation solutions that meet customer requirements, safety standards, and performance expectations. You’ll bring together your knowledge of controls hardware, PLC/HMI programming, and process integration to deliver systems that help our customers operate smarter, safer, and more efficiently.

• Design and develop industrial control systems, including hardware selection, schematic design, and programming.
• Develop PLC, HMI, and SCADA applications using industry-standard platforms.
• Prepare system specifications, I/O lists, and documentation packages.
• Coordinate with mechanical, electrical, and software engineering teams for seamless system integration.
• Provide technical support for control panel fabrication, wiring, and testing.
• Conduct on-site or remote system commissioning, testing, and operator training.
• Assist with project management tasks — scope definition, quoting, scheduling, and budget tracking.
• Support sales and estimating teams with control system concepts and scope development.
• Troubleshoot system and instrumentation issues to ensure reliable operation.
• Contribute to standardization and continuous improvement of Cogent’s design and engineering practices.

Work Environment/Travel Expectations
This position offers a mix of office and field-based work to support diverse project needs. Typical allocation includes approximately 40% on-site (customer or field locations), 60% in-office, and up to 20% overnight travel for commissioning, training, or project support as needed.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or a Technical Degree with equivalent experience.
• Experience in industrial control system design, programming, and integration.
• Working knowledge of PLC and HMI platforms (Allen-Bradley preferred).
• Strong understanding of control circuits, instrumentation, and VFD integration.
• Familiarity with AutoCAD or AutoCAD Electrical for schematic design.
• Excellent communication, time management, and interpersonal skills.
• Valid driver’s license and ability to travel as project needs require.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with SCADA and historian systems.
• Familiarity with UL 508A control panel standards and electrical safety codes.
• Experience in water/wastewater or process automation industries.
• Ability to manage multiple concurrent projects with shifting priorities.
• Strong problem-solving and analytical skills.

Join Us
At Cogent, we believe the best solutions come from empowered people. If you’re passionate about engineering excellence and thrive in a team-focused environment that values ownership, innovation, and integrity — we want to hear from you!

Qualifications

Skills

Required

Control Panel

Intermediate

Behaviors

Required

Innovative

: Consistently introduces new ideas and demonstrates original thinking

Team Player

Team Player

: Works well as a member of a group

Detail Oriented

Detail Oriented

: Capable of carrying out a given task with all details necessary to get the task done well

Motivations

Required

Self-Starter

: Inspired to perform without outside help

Growth Opportunities

: Inspired to perform well by the chance to take on more responsibility

Entrepreneurial Spirit

: Inspired to perform well by an ability to drive new ventures within the business

Education

Required

Bachelors or better in Engineering or related field.

High School or better in General Studies.

Licenses & Certifications

Required

Driver's License

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.