Controls & Automation Engineer

TALENT Software Services; Richmond (VA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

TALENT Software Services is seeking a seasoned Controls Engineer to design, develop, and maintain industrial automation systems. The role focuses on Rockwell Automation and Kepware middleware to enable data flow between shop-floor devices, SCADA, MES, and enterprise systems.

You will lead on-site commissioning, configure middleware, and ensure robust OT networking and cybersecurity practices across manufacturing assets.

Qualifications

• Experience designing and implementing industrial automation solutions.
• Proficient in Rockwell/Allen-Bradley control platforms and Kepware middleware.
• Experience with on-site commissioning and system start-up.
• Knowledge of OT/IT integration and industrial networking protocols.
• Familiarity with ISO 13849, IEC 62061, IEC 61508 and ISA/IEC 62443 cybersecurity practices.

Responsibilities

• Design, test, and deploy PLC logic for ControlLogix, CompactLogix, and GuardLogix.
• Configure operator interfaces with FactoryTalk View ME/SE; integrate motion control.
• Perform on-site commissioning, start-up, loop tuning, and functional testing.
• Configure and maintain Kepware KEPServer/EX for real-time OT data acquisition.
• Implement OPC DA/UA, MQTT, REST, and IoT Gateway plugins to pass telemetry.
• Manage device drivers, tagging, channel optimization, and security certificates.
• Configure and troubleshoot EtherNet/IP, CIP, Modbus, Profinet.
• Collaborate with IT/OT on switches, VLANs, NAT, and diagnostics.
• Perform root-cause analysis; maintain engineering docs.
• Ensure compliance with safety and cybersecurity standards.

Skills

PLC programming

HMI programming

SCADA programming

On-site commissioning

Industrial networking

Troubleshooting

Tools

Studio 5000 / RSLogix 5000 / 500

FactoryTalk View ME/SE

KEPServer/EX Kepware

OPC DA/UA

MQTT / REST / IoT Gateway

EtherNet/IP / CIP / Modbus / Profinet

Job description

Position Overview

We are seeking an experienced and detail-oriented Controls Engineer to design, develop, implement, and maintain industrial automation and OT connectivity solutions. In this role, you will be primarily responsible for programming and commissioning Rockwell Automation (Allen-Bradley) control platforms, as well as configuring and managing PTC Kepware (KEPServer/EX) middleware to ensure seamless data communication between shop-floor control devices, SCADA, MES, and enterprise systems.

Position Overview

We are seeking an experienced and detail-oriented Controls Engineer to design, develop, implement, and maintain industrial automation and OT connectivity solutions. In this role, you will be primarily responsible for programming and commissioning Rockwell Automation (Allen-Bradley) control platforms, as well as configuring and managing PTC Kepware (KEPServer/EX) middleware to ensure seamless data communication between shop-floor control devices, SCADA, MES, and enterprise systems.

Key Responsibilities

PLC / HMI / SCADA Programming & Commissioning

• Design, develop, test, and deploy PLC logic using Studio 5000 / RSLogix 5000 / 500 for ControlLogix, CompactLogix, and GuardLogix platforms.
• Design and configure operator interfaces using FactoryTalk View ME/SE and integrate motion control systems (e.g., PowerFlex VFDs, Kinetix servo drives).
• Perform on-site system commissioning, start-up, loop tuning, and functional testing.

Industrial Connectivity & Middleware (Kepware)

• Configure and maintain PTC KEPServer/EX for real-time OT data acquisition, device bridging, and protocol conversion across disparate manufacturing assets.
• Implement and troubleshoot OPC DA, OPC UA, MQTT, REST, and IoT Gateway plugins within Kepware to pass telemetry to SCADA, MES, Historian, or Cloud platforms.
• Manage device drivers, tag addressing, channel optimization, and security certificates within KEPServer/EX.

Industrial Networking & OT Architecture

• Configure and troubleshoot industrial communication protocols (EtherNet/IP, CIP, Modbus TCP/RTU, Profinet).
• Collaborate with IT/OT teams to implement managed industrial switches (e.g., Cisco, Stratix), VLAN segmentation, NAT routers, and network diagnostics.

Troubleshooting, Maintenance & Compliance

• Perform root-cause analysis on hardware, logic, and communication failures to minimize operational downtime.
• Maintain comprehensive engineering documentation: electrical schematics, P&IDs, I/O lists, network architecture diagrams, and Functional Design Specifications (FDS).
• Ensure all systems adhere to machine safety standards (ISO 13849, IEC 62061 / 61508) and cybersecurity best practices (ISA/IEC 62443).