Lead Controls Technician – PLC/SCADA, On-Site Santa Clara

SolveNow Inc.; Santa Clara (CA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation assistance

On-site position

Job summary

SolveNow Inc. in Santa Clara, CA seeks a Career-level Controls Technician responsible for designing, developing, and leading implementation of complex industrial automation systems. The role focuses on advanced PLC programming, HMI/SCADA system design, and full lifecycle ownership from concept to commissioning.

You will provide technical leadership, mentor junior engineers, and ensure high-quality, scalable automation solutions across projects in a semiconductor production environment.

Qualifications

• Associate of Applied Science in Electrical Engineering Technology, Automation, Mechatronics, or a 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
• Advanced experience with Allen-Bradley Studio 5000/ControlLogix
• Siemens S7/TIA Portal
• 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

Responsibilities

• Design and develop advanced PLC programs using modular architectures
• Lead development of HMI/SCADA systems emphasizing usability and reliability
• Architect full automation solutions (PLC, HMI, SCADA, networks, field devices)
• Oversee system integration with databases, historians, and enterprise systems
• Lead troubleshooting and root cause analysis for complex failures
• Manage system testing, validation, and onsite commissioning
• Establish and enforce PLC/HMI programming standards
• Review and approve electrical designs and system documentation
• Collaborate with project managers, clients, vendors, and cross-functional teams
• Mentor junior engineers and ensure safety and cybersecurity compliance

Skills

PLC programming

HMI/SCADA

Project leadership

Control system design

Electrical systems

Industrial processes

Cybersecurity practices

Education

Associate of Applied Science in Electrical Engineering Technology or related field

Tools

Allen-Bradley Studio 5000

Siemens TIA Portal/S7

Emerson Machine Edition

Job description

SolveNow Inc. in Santa Clara, CA seeks a Career-level Controls Technician responsible for designing, developing, and leading implementation of complex industrial automation systems. The role focuses on advanced PLC programming, HMI/SCADA system design, and full lifecycle ownership from concept to commissioning.

You will provide technical leadership, mentor junior engineers, and ensure high-quality, scalable automation solutions across projects in a semiconductor production environment.