Controls Engineer - Process Automation

HPS Tech; California (MO); On-site; USD 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

HPS Tech is hiring an automation engineer to own the control systems scope on projects, from design through commissioning and handover. You will program PLCs, configure HMI/SCADA, and translate process designs into automation specs while collaborating with process engineers and global teams.

The role requires hands-on delivery, on-site work across California, and a degree in electrical/controls engineering with strong real-world automation experience.

Qualifications

• 3+ years hands-on automation delivery in an industrial or process environment.
• Practical PLC programming with Allen-Bradley Studio 5000 and/or Siemens TIA Portal.
• SCADA/HMI experience with Ignition, FactoryTalk or equivalent.
• Working knowledge of process instrumentation and control system design.
• Degree in electrical, controls, automation, or related discipline.
• Right to work in the United States and willingness to be on site in California.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop control system architectures for hygienic process engineering projects.
• Write, test and commission PLC programs; configure HMI/SCADA to customer requirements.
• Translate process design into automation specifications with process engineers.
• Own automation scope across project lifecycle from design review to FAT, installation, commissioning.
• Support customer training and handover; contribute to automation standards.

Skills

Automation delivery

PLC programming

SCADA/HMI experience

Process instrumentation knowledge

Education

Electrical/Controls/Automation degree

Tools

Studio 5000

TIA Portal

Ignition

FactoryTalk

Job description

Proprietary technology. End-to-end delivery. The automation role that actually runs the job.

HPS Tech delivers end-to-end process engineering for dairy and food manufacturers across the US - proprietary technology, our projects ours from concept to handover. With a growing US pipeline and European expansion underway, this newly created role supports that growth: the automation scope across HPS's US project portfolio.

The role

You'll own the automation and control systems scope on HPS projects - design and PLC programming through to site commissioning and customer handover - working directly with our process engineers and project teams. You'll report into US leadership for project outcomes, and connect with HPS's Lead Automation Engineer in Australia for technical direction and standards. Hands-on delivery, with real accountability for what you commission.

What you will do

• Design and develop control system architectures for hygienic process engineering projects
• Write, test and commission PLC programs; configure HMI/SCADA to customer and regulatory requirements
• Translate process design into automation specifications alongside our process engineers
• Own the automation scope across the full project lifecycle - design review through FAT, installation, commissioning
• Support customer training and handover
• Contribute to HPS's automation standards and delivery frameworks

What you'll bring

• 3+ years hands-on automation delivery in an industrial or process environment
• Practical PLC programming - Allen-Bradley (Studio 5000) and/or Siemens (TIA Portal)
• SCADA/HMI experience (Ignition, FactoryTalk, or equivalent)
• Working knowledge of process instrumentation and control system design
• Degree in electrical, controls, automation, or a related engineering discipline
• Comfortable on site - commissioning across California and the broader region
• Food, dairy, or hygienic manufacturing experience preferred, not essential - automation delivery capability is what matters
• Right to work in the United States

Why HPS

• Full automation scope - design, program, commission, handover. Real ownership, not a support function
• Proprietary technology competitors can't replicate
• Direct access to experienced automation and process engineers globally
• Advancement based on what you deliver, not how long you've been here

HPS Tech specialises in end-to-end hygienic process engineering for dairy, food, and beverage manufacturers, with proprietary technology across Lactoferrin extraction, EBRT evaporation bacteria removal, and Prostan protein standardisation. Operating across Australia, New Zealand, the US, and Europe - the US is our primary growth market.