Controls Technician (47075)

Jacobs; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 134,000 - 184,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation assistance

Job summary

Jacobs is seeking a Career level Controls Technician in Santa Clara, CA to design, develop, and lead the implementation of complex industrial automation for a semiconductor facility. This role covers PLC programming, HMI/SCADA system design, architecture, and full lifecycle ownership from concept through commissioning.

The position offers technical leadership, mentors junior engineers, ensures scalable automation solutions, and may require travel and after-hours support.

Qualifications

• Associate degree or equivalent in a related field.
• 8+ years in PLC/HMI programming or industrial automation.
• Expert-level PLC programming across platforms.
• Proven experience leading automation projects and commissioning.
• Strong knowledge of control system design and industrial processes.

Responsibilities

• Design and develop advanced PLC programs with modular architectures.
• Lead development of HMI/SCADA systems focusing on usability and reliability.
• Architect full automation solutions including PLC, HMI, SCADA, networks and devices.
• Oversee system integration with databases, historians, and enterprise systems.
• Lead troubleshooting and root cause analysis for complex issues.
• Manage testing, validation, and onsite commissioning activities.
• Establish PLC/HMI programming standards and best practices.
• Review electrical designs, control strategies, and system docs.
• Collaborate with project managers, clients, vendors and engineers.
• Mentor junior/intermediate engineers; ensure safety and cybersecurity compliance.

Skills

8+ years experience PLC/HMI automation

Expert-level PLC programming

Leading automation projects

Control system design knowledge

Education

Associate of Applied Science in Electrical Engineering Technology, Automation, Mechatronics or related field

Tools

Allen-Bradley Studio 5000/ControlLogix

Siemens TIA Portal/S7

Emerson Machine Edition

SCADA: Ignition/FactoryTalk/WinCC/Cimplicity

Industrial protocols: EtherNet/IP/Modbus/Profinet/OPC UA

MES integration/SQL/IIoT

Safety PLCs & functional safety (SIL/ISO)

Job description

At Jacobs, we're challenging today to reinvent tomorrow by solving the world's most critical problems for thriving cities, resilient environments, mission-critical outcomes, operational advancement, scientific discovery and cutting-edge manufacturing, turning abstract ideas into realities that transform the world for good.

Your impact

Location Santa Clara, CA | In-office

We're seeking a Career level Controls Technician to join our team in Santa Clara, California who is excited to have the chance to work on projects enabling a semi-conductor production facility. Your primary responsibility will be designing, developing, and leading the implementation of complex industrial automation systems. This role involves advanced PLC programming, HMI/SCADA system design, system architecture, and full project lifecycle ownership from concept through commissioning. The role also provides technical leadership, mentors junior engineers, and ensures high-quality, scalable automation solutions.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and develop advanced PLC programs using structured, modular, and scalable architectures
• Lead development of HMI/SCADA systems with focus on usability, performance, and reliability
• Architect full automation solutions including PLC, HMI, 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 onsite commissioning activities
• Establish and enforce PLC/HMI programming standards and best practices
• Review and approve electrical designs, control strategies, and system documentation
• Collaborate with project managers, clients, vendors, and cross-functional engineering teams
• Mentor and guide junior and intermediate engineers
• Ensure compliance with safety standards, industry regulations, and cybersecurity practices.

Here’s what you’ll need

• Associate of Applied Science in Electrical Engineering Technology, Automation, Mechatronics or related field with 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

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced experience with
  • Allen-Bradley (Studio 5000, ControlLogix)
  • Siemens (TIA Portal, S7)
  • Emerson (Machine Edition)
• Expertise with SCADA platforms (Ignition, FactoryTalk, WinCC, Cimplicity)
• Knowledge of industrial communication protocols such as, EtherNet/IP, Modbus, Profinet, OPC UA
• Experience with motion control, robotics, and high-speed automation systems
• Familiarity with MES integration, databases (SQL), and IIoT systems
• Experience with safety PLCs and functional safety standards (SIL, ISO)
• Exposure to industrial cybersecurity practices

Additional Details

• This is an on-site position with work to be performed on the client site in Santa Clara, CA.
• After hours on-call support services are occasionally requested.
• Relocation assistance may be provided for qualified candidate.
• Requires field mobility including walking long distances, climbing ladders, working in tight spaces and lifting up to 25 lbs.
• Travel may be required.
• Must pass background check, drug screening and be fully authorized to work in the U.S. (no sponsorship).

At Jacobs, we don’t settle. We challenge today to reinvent tomorrow—delivering safer, smarter, and more resilient environments for our clients.

#afelectronics

Our health and welfare benefits are designed to invest in you, and in the things you care about. Your health. Your well-being. Your security. Your future. Employees have access to medical, dental, vision, and basic life insurance, a 401(k) plan, and the ability to purchase company stock at a discount. Eligible employees may also enroll in a deferred compensation plan or the Executive Deferral Plan. Jacobs has an unlimited U.S. Personalized Paid Time Off (PPTO) policy for full-time salaried/exempt employees, seven paid holidays, and caregiver leave. And certain roles may be eligible for additional rewards, including merit increases, performance discretionary bonus, and stock.

The base salary range for this position is $133,800.00 to $183,900.00. Within the range, individual pay is determined by work location and additional factors, including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status.

Job posted on July 14, 2026. This position will be open for at least 3 days.

Onsite employees are expected to attend a Jacobs Workplace on a full-time basis, as required by the nature of their role.

Your application experience is important to us, and we’re keen to adapt to make every interaction even better. If you require further support or reasonable adjustments with regards to the recruitment process (for example, you require the application form in a different format), please contact the team via Careers Support.