Controls Engineer

Piper Companies; Richmond (VA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 125,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive Benefits Package

Job summary

Piper Companies is seeking Controls Engineers (Levels 2 & 3) for permanent positions in Richmond, VA. The role involves designing, developing, installing, and maintaining systems that regulate machinery and processes. Candidates should have a Master’s degree in electrical or automation engineering (or a related field) or a Bachelor's degree with experience. Salary ranges from $90,000 to $125,000 annually, alongside a comprehensive benefits package.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in electrical or automation engineering with no experience required.
• Bachelor’s degree with 2+ years of experience preferred.
• Experience in designing, programming, and troubleshooting PLC systems.

Responsibilities

• Develop design documentation for automation projects.
• Lead programming and configuration of PLCs and SCADA systems.
• Execute testing and commissioning activities.

Skills

Experience building PLCs from scratch

Designing and troubleshooting SCADA solutions

Programming of PLCs

Troubleshooting PLCs or DDCs

Knowledge of Rockwell Automation

Experience with Siemens systems

Education

Master’s degree in electrical or automation engineering

Bachelor's degree in a related field

Tools

CAD

SCADA systems

PLC systems

Job description

Piper Companies is seeking Controls Engineers (Levels 2 & 3) to join an IT/Engineering company. These positions are onsite, permanent roles in Richmond, VA and Manassas, VA. The Control Engineers will focus primarily on designing, developing, installing, and maintaining the systems and equipment that monitor and regulate the machinery, processes, and overall operations.

Responsibilities of the Controls Engineers include:

• Develop design documentation for automation projects, including requirements, subsystem layouts (CAD, wiring, SCADA), and technical specifications
• Perform QA/QC reviews, resolve design comments, and support system planning, testing procedures, and factory test setups
• Lead programming and configuration of PLCs, RTUs, HMIs, and SCADA systems, including troubleshooting and deployment
• Execute testing and commissioning activities, including creating test procedures, reports, simulations, and performing factory/field validation
• Maintain and upgrade existing systems through troubleshooting, service support, and hardware/software replacements
• Support project execution with cost estimates, site assessments, change order evaluation, and coordination of engineers and technical staff

Qualifications the Controls Engineers include:

• Master’s degree in electrical or automation engineering (or a related field) with no experience required, or a Bachelor’s degree in a related field with 2+ years of experience
• Experience building PLCs from scratch
• Experience in designing, programming, and troubleshooting PLCs or DDCs 1 or more of the following platforms: Siemens (SIMATIC), Allen-Bradley (Rockwell Automation) (Plant Pax Preferred), Schneider Electric (Modicon), Tridium Niagara Framework, ABB (AC500, AC800M), Omron, KMC Controls, Johnson Controls Metasys, Honeywell WEBS, Johnson Control FX, Siemens Desigo/Apogee, Distech Controls, Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, GE Intelligent Platforms
• Experience in designing, programming, and troubleshooting SCADA solutions from 1 or more of the following platforms: AVEVA (formerly Wonderware) InTouch, System Platform, Ignition by Inductive Automation, GE Digital (iFIX, CIMPLICITY), Siemens WinCC, Rockwell Automation FactoryTalk View, AVEVA (formerly Schneider Electric) Citect SCADA, Intellution FIX32/HMI32 (Historical) by GE Digital, VTScada by Trihedral Engineering Limited, AVEVA (OSIsoft PI) Historian

Preferred Licenses/Certifications:

• Design Build Institute of America (DBIA)
• Certified SCADA Security Architect (CSSA)
• Certified Automation Professional (CAP)
• Engineer in Training (EIT)
• Certification in one or more PLC / Automation Platform, such as: Schneider, Rockwell, Siemens, Niagara, etc.
• Certification in one or more SCADA platforms, such as: AVEVA, Rockwell, Iconics, Ignition, etc.

Compensation for the Controls Engineers includes:

• Salary Range: $90,000-125,000/annually (depending on years/levels of experience)
• Comprehensive Benefits Package

This job opens for applications on04/25/2026. Applications for this job will be accepted for at least 30 days from the posting date.

Keywords: control engineer,onsite, direct placement, permanent, CAD, SCADA, PLC, DDC, electrical engineering, automation engineering, Plant Pax, Rockwell, DBIA, CSSA, CAP, EIT, AVEVA

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