Controls Engineer SCADA

Wunderlich-Malec Engineering, Inc.; Irvine (CA); Hybrid; USD 85,000 - 135,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical

Dental

Vision

401(k)/Profit Sharing

100% ESOP

Job summary

Wunderlich-Malec Engineering, Inc. in Irvine, CA is seeking a seasoned Controls Engineer to lead automation projects from concept through commissioning. You will design SCADA/HMI/DCS solutions, develop MES interfaces, and mentor junior staff while coordinating with clients and internal teams.

Ideal candidates bring 5+ years of controls experience with Rockwell, Ignition, SQL, S88, and ERP knowledge, and enjoy a hybrid work model with substantial client interaction across the US.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or equivalent experience.
• 5+ years in controls engineering with industrial automation experience.
• Experience with Rockwell Automation platforms (FactoryTalk, PlantPAX).
• Experience with Ignition (Inductive Automation).
• Experience with SQL Server query programming.
• Knowledge of S88, OEE, MES, ERP systems and Python scripting.

Responsibilities

• Lead projects from concept to commissioning with clients and internal teams.
• Design and implement SCADA/HMI/DCS systems and control architectures.
• Develop MES interfaces and integration with ERP systems.
• Mentor engineers and manage project execution plans.
• Interact with clients and provide technical leadership on site.

Skills

SCADA design

HMI/SCADA

DCS

Ignition

PlantPAx

Rockwell Automation

SQL Server

Python scripting

VBA/.NET

Education

Bachelors in Electrical Engineering

Bachelors in Mechanical Engineering

Bachelors in Chemical Engineering

Bachelors in Computer Science

Equivalent experience

Tools

Ignition

FactoryTalk

PlantPAX

S88

ERP systems

Job description

Join a Top Engineering Firm That’s 100% Employee-Owned

Wunderlich-Malec Engineering (WM) is one of the largest and most well-established engineering firms in the U.S., with over 40 years of industry leadership. As a 100% employee-owned ESOP company, we’re proud to be ranked among the Top 5 Systems Integrators and an ENR Top 500 Firm. We’re looking for a Controls Engineer to join our Irvine, CA office. In this leadership role, you’ll design and implement innovative automation solutions across industries like Life Sciences, Food & Beverage, and Manufacturing.

What You’ll Do

As a Controls Engineer, you’ll lead projects from concept to commissioning, working directly with clients and internal teams.

Your responsibilities will include:

Automation & Controls Engineering

• Design and implement SCADA systems using HMI, SCADA, and DCS platforms (Ignition and PlantPAx experience is a plus)
• Develop SCADA system architecture, select components, and create detailed network and relations
• Implement visualization systems (HMI/SCADA)
• Build databases for historical data archiving and display
• Design and implement MES system (Sepasoft experience is a plus)
• Utilize programming languages like VBA, .NET, SQL, and Python for advanced HMI/SCADA development
• Interfacing with ERP and third-party systems with REST API

Industrial Networking

• Design and implement fiber, wired, and wireless networks using industrial protocols (Ethernet/IP, Profinet, IT/OT)

Project Leadership & Management

• Lead engineering teams and mentor junior staff
• Manage project execution plans, tasks, and report to PM
• Act as technical lead occasionally

What You Bring

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical, Mechanical, Chemical Engineering, Computer Science, or equivalent experience
• 5+ years of experience in controls engineering, including:
  • Rockwell Automation platforms (FactoryTalk, PlantPAX)
  • Inductive Automation Ignition
  • SQL Server query programming
  • S88 Batch/Recipes, OEE, MES, ERP systems
  • Python scripting proficiency

Leadership & Collaboration

• Proven ability to lead teams and mentor engineers
• Strong communication and client-facing skills
• Professional references from a manager, peer, and subordinate

Travel

• Up to 35% out-of-state travel; regular visits to client sites in the US.

Work Environment & Physical Requirements

• Hybrid mix of standard office environment and work-from-home leadership (at least 3 days of office work, discretionary 2 days of remote work, and on-site job walks as needed per week), 25-35% level of travel to client sites in the US; diverse industrial environments; flexible for out-of-region candidates but Southern California Region (specifically Orange County, Inland Empire, and San Diego) preferred.

Physical Demands of Position

• Seeing, color perception, hearing, clear speech, dexterity in hands, driving, lifting, ability to mount/dismount equipment, pushing and pulling.

Why Join WM?

We offer a comprehensive benefits package for full-time employee-owners, including:

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.

Ready to lead cutting-edge automation projects and grow with a company that invests in you?

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.

The expected salary range is $85,000 to $135,000 base per year depending on qualifications plus a discretionary bonus and employee stock program.