Control Systems Engineer (Water/Industrial)

HDR; Charlotte (NC); On-site; USD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Professional development opportunities

Employee ownership culture

Inclusive environment

Job summary

A leading engineering firm is searching for a Control Systems Engineer to join their Building Engineering Services Group in Charlotte, NC. This role involves designing automated control systems, engaging with clients, and creating detailed construction documents. Candidates should have at least 5 years of experience, a Bachelor's degree, and a PE license. The firm is committed to diversity and innovation, encouraging team collaboration that makes a difference worldwide.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 5 years of applicable experience required.
• Hands-on experience designing SCADA systems, including P&IDs and schematics.
• Knowledge of PLC, DCS, or SCADA hardware and software.

Responsibilities

• Travel to client sites to assess and document control systems.
• Develop biddable and technically accurate construction documents.
• Interface with engineers to coordinate design requirements.

Skills

PLC programming

SCADA systems design

CADD software proficiency

Control systems project management

Hands-on instrumentation design

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering

Professional Engineer (PE) license

Tools

AutoCAD

Allen-Bradley

Wonderware

Job description

At HDR, our employee-owners are fully engaged in creating a welcoming environment where each of us is valued and respected, a place where everyone is empowered to bring their authentic selves and novel ideas to work every day. As we work to weave diversity, equity, and inclusion into our work and foster a sense of belonging throughout the company and within our communities, we constantly ask ourselves: What is our impact on the world?

Watch Our Story: https://www.hdrinc.com/our-story

Each and every role throughout our organization makes a difference in our ability to change the world for the better. Read further to learn how you could help make great things possible not only in your community, but around the world.

We believe building engineering is more than systems and structures, it’s about powering progress and enabling innovation. As part of HDR’s Building Engineering Services Group, you’ll help design the critical infrastructure that supports the digital age and shapes the spaces where people work, connect, and thrive. From high-performance data centers driving the future of AI to dynamic commercial environments, your work will directly support technological advancement, sustainability, and human experience. We bring together mechanical, electrical, structural, and civil engineering experts to solve complex design challenges with precision, creativity, and collaboration. Whether you're optimizing energy efficiency, integrating resilient systems, or engineering the backbone of next-generation facilities, your contributions will help define the future of the built environment. This isn’t just a job, it’s a chance to lead innovation, engineer impact, and build a legacy of excellence.

HDR is looking for a Control Systems Engineer to support our global Control Systems practice which includesfull-service capabilities. Our practice provides assessment, planning, design, automation programming/configuration, testing & commissioning, and maintenance for control systems in multiple industries. The primary role of this position is to support the planning, design, and implementation of automated industrial control systems in coordination with clients and multidiscipline teams to develop solutions for construction and implementation in multiple market sectors including food & beverage; general industrial; oil & gas; logistics, manufacturing; mining; transportation; and water/wastewater. In this role, the Control Systems Engineer will work under the direction of a Senior Control Systems Engineer to design complex industrial control and Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems, assisting with the evaluation and selection of equipment and system components. They will be responsible for creating biddable and technically accurate construction documents including drawings and specifications. They must be self‑motivated with an initiative to deliver high quality, technically excellent control system designs.

Primary responsibilities and duties include

• Travel to client facilities to participate in field activities to assess and document the current state of installed control systems
• Participate in design review and planning meetings with the client
• Participate in the development of preliminary engineering reports and studies focused on recommending and developing solutions for control system improvements
• Interface with electrical and process engineers to coordinate design requirements for network, power, control, and instrumentation
• Assist with the selection and specification of process instrumentation, control panels, and network equipment
• Assist with the development of biddable and technically accurate SCADA / I&C construction documents including P&IDs, network architecture diagrams, control panel layouts and wiring diagrams, installation details, loop drawings, and technical specifications
• Utilize CADD software including AutoDesk AutoCAD products to develop and review construction documents
• Assist with system testing and commissioning activities

Growth opportunities

• Exposure to multiple market sectors and core services of our global control systems program
• Training and development to build skillset to serve as market sector and core service subject matter expert (SME)
• Serve as Engineer of Record in responsible charge for the development of biddable and technically accurate control system construction documents
• Active participation in industry professional societies, trade shows, and conferences
• Advancement to Senior Control Systems Engineer

Preferred Qualifications

• Minimum of 5 years of applicable experience
• Hands on experience designing instrumentation and control systems, including P&IDs, control schematics, and loops required
• Must be knowledgeable of network, PLC, DCS, or DDC hardware and software
• Must be knowledgeable of SCADA/HMI software and capabilities
• Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) programming and configuration a plus
• Distributed Control System (DCS) programming and configuration a plus
• SCADA HMI programming and configuration a plus
• Network design experience for industrial control or SCADA systems a plus
• Demonstrated knowledge of remote site telemetry communications a plus
• Demonstrated knowledge of cybersecurity considerations for industrial control or SCADA systems a plus
• Experience in food & beverage, oil & gas, general industrial, mining, manufacturing, or logistics a plus
• Local candidates are preferred
• *LI-SM1

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering or related field.
• Professional Engineer (PE) license
• PLC/WTP and WWTP software programming experience
• Hands‑on experience designing SCADA systems, including schematics and loops
• Experience managing control systems projects
• Knowledge of automation hardware including but not limitied to Allen‑Bradley, Emerson, Foxboro, Modicon, Siemens, and GE.
• Knowledge of automation software including but not limited to Wonderware, iFix, FacotryTalk, VTScada, Ignition
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office products
• An attitude and commitment to being an active participant of our employee‑owned culture is a must

What We Believe

HDR is our company. Together, we build on each other's life experiences and perspectives to make great things possible every day. This shapes our collaborative culture, encourages organizational trust and connects us closer to the clients and communities we serve.

Our Commitment

As employee owners, we all have a role in creating an inclusive environment where each of us is welcomed, valued, respectful and empowered to bring our authentic selves to work every day.

Our eight Employee Network Groups (Asian Pacific, Black, Hispanic/Latino(a), LGBTQ+, People with Disabilities, Veterans, Women, Young Professionals) help create a sense of belonging and foster a supportive environment where everyone is empowered to engage and contribute. Each group has an executive sponsor and is open to all employees.