Controls Field Technician

Liberty Personnel Services, Inc.; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid vacation

Paid holidays

Medical and dental insurance

401(k) with company match

Continuing education opportunities

Job summary

Liberty Personnel Services, Inc. is seeking an experienced Automation Field Engineer to support installation, commissioning, startup, and service of automation systems in industrial and building environments.

You will work with engineers, project management, installation teams, customers, and OEMs to ensure systems are installed, tested, and operational. The ideal candidate brings hands-on controls expertise with PLCs, HMIs, SCADA, control networks, instrumentation, and electrical/mechanical

Qualifications

• Hands-on controls experience; able to troubleshoot complex automation systems.
• Experience with installation, commissioning, startup, and service of automation projects.
• Ability to read electrical schematics, P&IDs, and technical drawings.

Responsibilities

• Support installation, integration, startup, commissioning, and service of automation and control systems.
• Interpret sequences of operation and troubleshoot to ensure proper system functionality.
• Program and troubleshoot PLC, HMI, DDC, and SCADA applications.

Skills

Troubleshooting

Field work

Independent work

Communication

Education

Technical degree (Electrical/Automation/Controls)

Tools

PLC

HMI

SCADA

Allen-Bradley

Rockwell Automation

Job description

Job Summary

We are seeking an experienced Automation Field Engineer to support the installation, commissioning, troubleshooting, startup, and service of industrial and building automation systems. This position will work closely with engineering, project management, installation teams, customers, and equipment manufacturers to ensure automation systems are properly installed, tested, commissioned, and operational.

The ideal candidate is a hands-on controls professional with strong troubleshooting skills and experience working with PLCs, HMIs, SCADA systems, control networks, instrumentation, and electrical/mechanical systems. The position requires someone who can work independently in the field while effectively collaborating with project and engineering teams.

• Support the installation, integration, startup, commissioning, and service of automation and control systems.
• Participate in daily planning for commissioning, installation, service, testing, and system energization activities.
• Interpret sequences of operation and troubleshoot control systems to ensure proper system functionality.
• Program, modify, troubleshoot, and deploy PLC, HMI, DDC, and SCADA applications.
• Work with ladder logic, sequential function charts, structured text, function block diagrams, and other PLC programming methods.
• Perform SCADA troubleshooting, including graphics, data structures, UDT modifications, and system communications.
• Install, configure, and troubleshoot industrial control networks, including TCP/IP, Modbus, and proprietary communication networks.
• Perform system testing, startup, commissioning, and validation of automation systems and OEM equipment.
• Develop, interpret, and execute test scripts and commissioning procedures.
• Troubleshoot electrical, mechanical, controls, instrumentation, and OEM equipment issues.
• Read and interpret electrical control schematics, power drawings, mechanical layouts, P&IDs, and related technical documentation.
• Assist with control panel installation, field wiring, I/O checkout, instrumentation testing, and system integration.
• Utilize electrical test equipment, including Fluke meters, for troubleshooting and system verification.
• Perform instrumentation calibration and testing as required.
• Work with engineering and project management teams to identify and resolve field issues.
• Support installation and deployment teams with limited supervision.
• Document commissioning activities, test results, deficiencies, and corrective actions.
• Participate in project lessons learned and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Communicate professionally with customers, contractors, vendors, engineers, and internal team members.
• Travel to customer and project sites as required.

Qualifications

• Technical degree in Electrical Engineering, Automation, Controls Engineering, Instrumentation, or a related field preferred; equivalent experience will be considered.
• 2+ years of experience in industrial automation, building automation, controls, or plant-floor environments.
• Hands-on experience with PLCs, HMIs, and SCADA systems.
• Experience with automation system commissioning and startup.
• Understanding of control loops, field I/O, instrumentation, and P&IDs.
• Strong electrical and mechanical troubleshooting abilities.
• Experience with industrial control networks and communications.
• Ability to read and interpret electrical schematics and technical drawings.
• Experience using electrical test equipment and instrumentation.
• Strong problem-solving and analytical skills.
• Ability to work independently in the field while collaborating with engineering and project teams.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Willingness and ability to travel to project sites.

Preferred Technical Experience

• Allen-Bradley / Rockwell Automation
• PLC programming
• HMI development and troubleshooting
• SCADA systems
• DDC/building automation controls
• TCP/IP and Modbus communications
• Control loops and instrumentation
• Field I/O
• Electrical controls and power systems
• OEM equipment integration
• Commissioning and startup
• P&ID interpretation
• Instrument calibration

Key Attributes

• Hands-on and technically capable
• Strong troubleshooting and diagnostic skills
• Self-motivated and comfortable working independently
• Detail-oriented and organized
• Customer-service focused
• Able to manage changing priorities in field environments
• Safety-conscious and committed to quality workmanship
• Comfortable working collaboratively with engineers, technicians, contractors, and customers
• Competitive salary based on experience
• Paid vacation
• Paid holidays
• Medical and dental insurance
• 401(k) with company match
• Continuing education opportunities
• Professional development and career advancement opportunities

This is a field-oriented engineering position involving regular travel to customer and project sites. The successful candidate should be comfortable working in industrial, commercial, and mechanical/electrical environments and participating in system installation, testing, startup, commissioning, and troubleshooting activities.