Controls Technician

HKA Enterprises; Santa Clara (CA); On-site; USD 88,621 - 125,843; Full time

Job summary

HKA Enterprises in Santa Clara, CA is seeking a career-level Controls Technician to lead design, development, and implementation of advanced automation systems, owning projects from concept through commissioning.

You will mentor engineers, set programming standards, and manage PLC, HMI, SCADA, and field devices while ensuring safety, cybersecurity, and integration with historians and databases.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of PLC/HMI programming or industrial automation experience.
• Strong knowledge of control system design and electrical systems.
• Experience leading automation projects and commissioning.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop advanced PLC programs using modular architectures.
• Lead HMI/SCADA development focusing on usability and reliability.
• Architect full automation solutions across PLCs, HMIs, SCADA, networks.

Skills

PLC programming

HMI development

SCADA

Automation leadership

System commissioning

Industrial cybersecurity

Education

AS in Electrical Engineering Technology / Automation / Mechatronics

Tools

Allen-Bradley Studio 5000

Siemens TIA Portal

Emerson Machine Edition

Job description

We’re seeking a career-level Controls Technician to join our team at a semiconductor production facility in Santa Clara, CA. You’ll design, develop, and lead the implementation of complex industrial automation systems — with full ownership from concept through commissioning. This is a technical leadership role: you’ll set programming standards, mentor junior engineers, and architect scalable automation solutions across PLC, HMI, SCADA, and field devices.

Pay: $64.33- $91.35 per hour DOE

What you do

• Design and develop advanced PLC programs using structured, modular, and scalable architectures
• Lead HMI/SCADA development with a focus on usability, performance, and reliability
• Architect full automation solutions including PLCs, HMIs, SCADA, networks, and field devices
• Oversee system integration with databases, historians, and enterprise systems
• Lead troubleshooting and root cause analysis for complex system failures and production issues
• Manage system testing, validation, and on-site commissioning activities
• Establish and enforce PLC/HMI programming standards and best practices
• Review and approve electrical designs, control strategies, and system documentation
• Mentor junior and intermediate engineers; collaborate with project managers, clients, and vendors
• Ensure compliance with safety standards, industry regulations, and cybersecurity practices

What you need

• Associate of Applied Science in Electrical Engineering Technology, Automation, Mechatronics, or related field — or equivalent experience
• 8+ years of experience in PLC/HMI programming or industrial automation
• Expert-level PLC programming skills across one or more platforms
• Proven experience leading automation projects and system commissioning
• Strong knowledge of control system design, electrical systems, and industrial processes
• Must pass background check and drug screening
• Must be fully authorized to work in the U.S. — no sponsorship available
• Nice to have: Allen-Bradley (Studio 5000, ControlLogix), Siemens (TIA Portal, S7), or Emerson (Machine Edition) experience
• SCADA platform expertise — Ignition, FactoryTalk, WinCC, or Cimplicity
• Knowledge of industrial communication protocols — EtherNet/IP, Modbus, Profinet, OPC UA
• Experience with motion control, robotics, and high-speed automation systems
• MES integration, SQL databases, and IIoT systems familiarity
• Safety PLC experience and functional safety standards (SIL, ISO)
• Exposure to industrial cybersecurity practices

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