Controls Engineer

NES Fircroft; Texas; On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

NES Fircroft is seeking a highly experienced Controls (E&IC) Engineer to lead the architecture, design, programming, integration, testing, and commissioning of industrial automation systems for water, wastewater, and oil & gas projects in the Texas area.

The role requires extensive knowledge of PLC/HMI/SCADA programming, instrumentation, and control-system architecture, with hands-on experience in FAT/SAT, loop tuning, and project leadership. Travel of up to 20% is expected.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering or related field.
• 10+ years in industrial automation, controls, and commissioning.
• Expert PLC/HMI programming and system integration experience.

Responsibilities

• Translate process needs into electrical/control designs per specs.
• Specify instrumentation, valves, VFDs, and automation gear.
• Develop and review control narratives, I/O lists, and schematics.
• Configure PLC/SCADA systems and perform FAT/SAT testing.
• Lead design reviews and customer discussions; mentor staff.
• Travel up to 20% for site work and commissioning.

Skills

PLC programming

HMI/SCADA

Electrical design

Project management

Troubleshooting

Industrial automation

Education

Bachelors in Electrical Engineering

Tools

AutoCAD Electrical

Rockwell Software

Siemens

Schneider Electric

Job description

Controls (E&IC) Engineer Summary The Controls (Electrical, Instrumentation and Controls) Engineer provides technical leadership for the architecture, design, programming, integration, testing, commissioning, and lifecycle support of industrial automation systems used in water, wastewater, and oil & gas applications. This role resolves complex technical requirements and establishes reliable, maintainable, and standards-compliant control solutions.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Translate process requirements into electrical and control system designs that meet functional and project specifications.
• Select, specify, and review process instrumentation, analyzers, control valves, actuators, VFDs, motor control interfaces, and automation equipment.
• Produce and approve control system documentation including:
  • Control narratives
  • Functional design specifications
  • Software design specifications
  • Network architecture drawings
  • Cause-and-effect matrices
  • Alarm rationalization lists
  • I/O lists
  • Instrument indexes
  • Loop diagrams
  • Control panel drawings
  • SCADA/PLC interface registers
  • HMI standards
  • Sequence of operation documents
  • Single-line diagrams
  • Panel layouts
  • Electrical schematics
  • Load lists
  • P&IDs
• Configure, troubleshoot, and support PLCs, HMIs, SCADA systems, RTUs, remote I/O, VFDs, industrial networks, radios, and protocol gateways.
• Design control strategies and develop, test, review, and maintain PLC, HMI, and SCADA software.
• Plan and monitor engineering assignments and deliverables.
• Manage project schedules to meet customer and internal specifications.
• Develop and maintain E&IC engineering standards, software libraries, programming conventions, alarm philosophies, templates, and work instructions.
• Lead customer technical discussions and design reviews.
• Conduct Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT) and customer witness testing.
• Define control-system architecture, including PLC/RTU selection, network topologies, redundancy, remote access, and system interfaces.
• Develop PLC applications across multiple platforms as required.
• Establish software architecture standards including naming conventions, equipment modules, alarms, interlocks, sequencing, diagnostics, and reusable code libraries.
• Perform independent technical reviews of software developed by internal teams, suppliers, and system integrators.
• Execute software simulation, panel checkout, I/O checkout, FAT, SAT, loop checks, commissioning, performance testing, and customer demonstrations.
• Provide technical leadership for automation applications including:
  • Pumping systems
  • Filtration
  • Chemical feed systems
  • Disinfection systems
  • Compressor and blower controls
  • Tank and pipeline monitoring
  • Packaged process skids
• Perform control-loop design, tuning, and optimization for flow, pressure, level, temperature, analytical, and dosing applications.
• Mentor controls engineers and technicians and provide direction to system integrators and panel builders.
• Develop and deliver training for operators, maintenance personnel, and field service teams.
• Support proposal development and cost estimating activities.

Qualifications

• Strong knowledge of electrical engineering principles, concepts, and industry practices.
• Knowledge of applicable electrical codes, standards, and safety requirements.
• Expert-level PLC/HMI programming and troubleshooting experience with platforms such as:
  • Allen-Bradley/Rockwell Automation
  • Siemens
  • Schneider Electric
• Minimum 10 years of progressively responsible experience in industrial automation, controls programming, hardware design, integration, and commissioning.
• Excellent organizational and project management skills.
• Advanced proficiency with:
  • Windows engineering environments
  • Virtual machines
  • Industrial software installation and licensing
  • AutoCAD Electrical
  • Control panel design documentation
• Experience with ERP systems.
• Knowledge of algorithm design and programming logic.
• Demonstrated expertise in:
  • Control system architecture
  • PLC/HMI/SCADA programming
  • System integration
  • Software reviews
  • Troubleshooting
  • Startup and commissioning of process systems
• Advanced knowledge of:
  • Instrumentation
  • Smart devices
  • Control valves
  • Analyzers
  • PID and cascade control loops
  • Motors and VFDs
  • MCC interfaces
  • Protective devices
  • Low-voltage control systems
• Ability to provide local and remote technical support.
• Advanced knowledge of industrial communication protocols including:
  • EtherNet/IP
  • PROFINET
  • Modbus TCP
  • Modbus RTU
  • OPC UA/DA
  • MQTT
  • DNP3
  • HART
  • PROFIBUS
  • Serial communications
  • Managed Ethernet networks
  • Protocol gateways
• Strong analytical, troubleshooting, and problem-solving skills.
• Hands-on experience using:
  • PLC/HMI diagnostics
  • Online monitoring tools
  • Network analysis tools
  • Electrical test equipment
  • Loop calibrators
  • Root-cause analysis methodologies
• Ability to travel up to 20% as required.

Preferred Experience

• Field commissioning, startup, SAT, loop checking, and operational troubleshooting experience.
• Advanced SCADA integration experience with platforms such as:
  • Rockwell FactoryTalk View
  • Siemens WinCC
  • AVEVA/Wonderware System Platform
  • Inductive Automation Ignition
  • VTScada

Education & Experience

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Controls Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Instrumentation & Control Engineering, or a related technical discipline, along with 10+ years of relevant industrial automation and controls experience.

With over 90 years' combined experience, NES Fircroft (NES) is proud to be the world's leading engineering staffing provider spanning the Oil & Gas, Power & Renewables, Chemicals, Construction & Infrastructure, Life Sciences, Mining andManufacturingsectors worldwide. With more than 80 offices in 45 countries, we are able to provide our clients with the engineering and technical expertise they need, wherever and whenever it is needed. We offer contractors far more than a traditional recruitment service, supporting with everything from securing visas and work permits, to providing market-leading benefits packages and accommodation, ensuring they are safely and compliantly able to support our clients.