Controls Engineer SCADA

Ultipro; Irvine (CA); Hybrid; USD 85,000 - 135,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical

Dental

Vision

Life and AD&D

Long Term Disability

401(k)/Profit Sharing

100% ESOP

PTO and Holidays

Tuition Reimbursement

Relocation assistance

Job summary

Wunderlich-Malec Engineering in Irvine, CA seeks a Controls Engineer to lead automation projects from concept to commissioning. You will design SCADA systems using Ignition and PlantPAx, build MES/ERP integrations, and mentor engineers.

The role emphasizes client-facing leadership, strong communication, and collaboration with internal teams. A hybrid work arrangement and travel to client sites are expected.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical, Mechanical, Chemical Engineering, Computer Science, or equivalent experience.
• 5+ years of controls engineering experience including Rockwell/Inductive Ignition and MES/ERP exposure.
• Proven ability to lead teams and mentor engineers.
• Strong communication and client-facing skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead projects from concept to commissioning with clients and internal teams.
• Design and implement SCADA systems (Ignition, PlantPAx) and architecture.
• Develop MES systems and integrate with ERP and third-party systems via REST API.
• Build data histories and databases for reporting and analytics.
• Mentor junior staff and manage project execution plans.

Skills

Leadership

Client-facing

Mentoring

Communication

Travel readiness

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical/Mechanical/Chemical Engineering or Computer Science

Tools

Rockwell Automation FactoryTalk

PlantPAx

Inductive Automation Ignition

S88 Batch/Recipes

OEE/MES/ERP systems

REST API integration

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:

• 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
• 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
• Design and implement fiber, wired, and wireless networks using industrial protocols (Ethernet/IP, Profinet, IT/OT)
• Lead engineering teams and mentor junior staff
• Manage project execution plans, tasks, and report to PM
• Act as technical lead occasionally

What You Bring

• 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
• S88 Batch/Recipes, OEE, MES, ERP systems
• Proven ability to lead teams and mentor engineers
• Strong communication and client-facing skills
• Professional references from a manager, peer, and subordinate
• 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:

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.

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

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

#LI-Hybrid

#LI-WM1

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
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