Controls Engineer

Wunderlich-Malec Services, Inc.; Lakewood (CO); On-site; USD 95,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical

Dental

Vision

Life and AD&D

Long Term Disability

401(k)/Profit Sharing

Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP)

Tuition Reimbursement

Job summary

Wunderlich-Malec Engineering in Lakewood, CO seeks a Controls Engineer to design, implement, and manage large-scale automation projects. You will work with Rockwell Control Systems and PlantPAx, focus on safety systems, and ensure regulatory compliance.

The role involves cross-functional collaboration, project leadership, and site travel up to 50% for commissioning and client engagement. A strong background in oil & gas projects is preferred.

Qualifications

• Professional degree in Electrical Engineering or related field.
• Minimum 5–10 years in automation/control system engineering, strong oil & gas focus.
• Proficiency with Rockwell Automation and related control systems.
• Experience with plant-wide controls, HMI, and networking.

Responsibilities

• Design and implement Rockwell control systems for large projects.
• Manage schedules, budgets, and resources to ensure on-time delivery.
• Lead system architecture and control strategy development for scalability.
• Develop electrical designs including power distribution and panels.
• Specify and procure instrumentation and hardware components.
• Coordinate FAT/SAT testing and client engagement.

Skills

Rockwell Automation

PlantPAx

Safety Instrumented Systems

Project Management

Oil & Gas knowledge

Industrial Networking

OPC UA / Ethernet/IP

Education

Electrical Engineering degree

5-10 years automation experience

Tools

DCS/SCADA systems

Job description

Job Description

Wunderlich-Malec Engineering has a Controls Engineer opportunity in Lakewood, CO. This person will be a member of a team responsible for the design, implementation, and project management of large-scale capital automation projects within the Oil and Gas Industry along with other projects in Life Sciences and Building Automation industries. This role requires proficiency with Rockwell Control Systems and preferably PlantPAx along with education or experience with Safety Instrumented Systems. The ideal candidate will have a proven history of successful project implementation while ensuring compliance with industry regulations and collaborating with cross-functional teams.

Please Note: This position is not eligible for employer-sponsored work authorization, including H-1B sponsorship.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Design and implement Rockwell control systems for complex oil and gas capital projects.
• Contribute and participate in developing and managing project schedules, budgets, and resources, ensuring on-time and within-budget project execution.
• Lead system architecture development and control strategies to enhance manufacturing efficiency.
• Utilize a class-based approach in overall design to maximize scalability and standardization across projects.
• Develop electrical designs, including power distribution, panel layouts, and grounding strategies for automation systems.
• Specify and procure instrumentation and hardware components.
• Design and implement industrial networking solutions, including Ethernet/IP, Modbus TCP/IP, Profibus, and others.
• Integrate 3rdparty equipment and systems using protocols such as OPC UA, Ethernet/IP, and Modbus
• Define computing infrastructure requirements, including server architecture, virtualization, cybersecurity, and redundancy planning.
• Design, plan, and specify system licensing based on user requirements and project scope to ensure cost-effective and scalable solutions.
• Develop acceptance protocols and manage the execution of Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT) and Site Acceptance Testing (SAT) to validate system performance.
• Coordinate with clients, stakeholders, and regulatory bodies to ensure project success.
• Implement advanced automation and safety strategies, PHA, C+Es, historian integration, and alarm management.
• Troubleshoot complex automation challenges and drive continuous improvements in system performance.
• Travel up to 50% for on-site support, commissioning, and client engagement.

Qualifications/Requirements

• 5-10 years of hands-on experience with Rockwell Automation, Honeywell, Emerson DeltaV, and similar systems, focusing on system design and project execution
• Demonstrated experience with projects in the Oil and Gas market
• Strong experience in class-based configuration and design
• Strong knowledge of automation protocols (HART, Foundation Fieldbus, Profibus, Modbus TCP/IP, Ethernet/IP, OPC UA, IO-Link)
• Understanding of industrial networking for communication between controllers, servers, and HMIs
• Experience in integrating electrical and process control systems
• Strong organizational and communication skills for cross-functional collaboration
• Experience specifying and designing electrical components, including MCCs, VFDs, control panels, and power distribution systems
• Knowledge of server infrastructure and virtualization technologies for robust system deployment
• Experience in OEM system integration using OPC UA, Ethernet/IP, and other industrial communication protocols
• Ability to plan, specify, and manage system licensing to optimize project implementation
• Knowledge of Rockwell Automation, Inductive Automation Ignition, Siemens PCS7, or other DCS/SCADA systems is a plus

Education/Experience

• Professional degree in Electrical Engineering, Control Systems Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or a related field
• Minimum of 5-10 years in automation and control system engineering, with a strong focus in the oil and gas industry

Work Conditions

The work environment characteristics described here represent those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Work may include working weekends, holidays, night shift, and extended hours to meet deadlines and client requirements

Office Work

• Office desk/cubicle environment
• Frequent use of computers, engineering tools, and industrial control systems

Field Work - Physical Demands

• Field work at gas processing plants. Assignments require use of FRC clothing, Safety Shoes and other PPE
• Occasional lifting, climbing, and working in production facilities during commissioning activities.

Our People

• Empowered Individuals – Employee-owned, we can hire the best and empower them to develop and deliver solutions
• Rewarded & Motivated – Investing in continuing education and world-class benefits keeps our staff motivated
• Positive Attitudes – Dedicated experts are committed in the long run and bring a positive, can-do attitude to your project
• Knowledgeable – Recognized industry experts reinforced with ongoing training remain knowledgeable on the latest industry trends and directions

*Job Descriptions are not exhaustive lists of all skills, responsibilities, or efforts associated with a job. They reflect principal job elements essential for performing the job and evaluating performance.

Wunderlich-Malec is proud to offer a comprehensive employee-owner benefit package. Full-time employees may be eligible for the following benefits:

• Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• Basic and Supplemental Life and AD&D
• Long Term Disability
• Voluntary Short Term Disability
• Healthcare & Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts
• Health Savings Account
• Paid Time Off (PTO)
• Paid Holidays
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Referral Bonus Program
• 401(k)/Profit Sharing
• 100% ESOP (Employee Stock Ownership Plan)
• Employee Assistance Program
• Will Preparation Resources
• Worldwide Travel Assistance

Salary Range The expected salary range is $95,000 - $110,000 per year depending on qualifications plus a discretionary bonus and employee stock program.