Senior Automation & Controls Engineer (Kansas City)

Burns & McDonnell

Kansas City (MO)

On-site

USD 110,000 - 170,000

Full time

11 days ago

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Job summary

Burns & McDonnell in Kansas City, MO, seeks a Senior Automation & Controls Engineer to lead complex EPC automation projects across power, water, fuel, and pipeline sectors. You will guide control system architecture, PLC/SCADA development, and cybersecurity integration while mentoring engineers.

You will coordinate with electrical, instrumentation, process, cybersecurity and construction teams, drive testing, commissioning, and startup activities, and contribute to proposals and technical

Qualifications

ABET-accredited degree in Electrical/Computer Engineering or CS
7+ years in automation, control systems, or SCADA
Lead automation work from concept through closeout
Deliver control system architecture diagrams, specs, narratives
Strong leadership, coordination, and client communication
Analytical, troubleshooting, risk identification, problem-solving
Support planning, estimating, scheduling, proposals
Apply standards, QA/QC, cybersecurity practices
Consulting/EPC project experience
PE license or CAP preferred

Responsibilities

Lead design, testing, commissioning, and lifecycle support for automation systems in EPC projects.
Act as technical lead for control architecture and automation strategy.
Lead software development for PLC/RTU/HMI/SCADA platforms.
Develop standards, reusable libraries, and project methodologies.
Coordinate multidisciplinary teams through all EPC phases.
Mentor engineers and provide technical leadership.
Assist business development with proposals and client presentations.
Perform design quality reviews and ensure standards compliance.

Skills

Technical leadership

Mentoring

Communication

Problem solving

Risk identification

Project planning

Estimating

Scheduling

Client interface

Proposal development

Education

ABET-accredited Bachelor's in Electrical/Computer Engineering/CS

Tools

Rockwell Automation

Siemens

Schneider Electric

Emerson

Honeywell

SEL

Ignition

AVEVA

FactoryTalk View

FactoryTalk Optix

Job description

Description

The Senior Automation & Controls Engineer will lead complex industrial and utility automation projects involving control system architecture, PLC, RTU, HMI, SCADA, industrial networking, cybersecurity, system integration, commissioning, and lifecycle support. This role serves as a technical lead across multidisciplinary EPC project teams, guiding automation strategy, software development, testing, startup, quality reviews, client coordination, and continuous improvement efforts while mentoring engineers and supporting successful project delivery.

Lead the planning, design, development, integration, testing, commissioning, and lifecycle support of complex industrial automation and control systems for EPC projects across the pipeline, RNG, water and wastewater, power generation, utility, substation, and fueling industries.
Serve as the technical lead responsible for overall control system architecture, automation strategy, controls philosophy development, cause-and-effect matrices, functional specifications, network architecture, and system integration approach.
Lead software development efforts for PLC, RTU, HMI, and SCADA platforms, including Allen-Bradley, Siemens, Emerson, SEL, Novatech, Ignition, FactoryTalk View, FactoryTalk Optix, AVEVA, and other industrial automation technologies.
Develop technical standards, engineering best practices, reusable software libraries, and standardized project execution methodologies to improve consistency and project efficiency.
Lead multidisciplinary coordination with electrical, instrumentation, process, telecommunications, cybersecurity, mechanical, civil, and construction teams throughout all phases of EPC project execution.
Coordinate with multiple Global Practices, regional offices, and external partners to develop integrated technical solutions and execute large, complex projects.
Lead technical reviews, design reviews, constructability reviews, FATs, SATs, integrated system testing, commissioning activities, and startup support.
Provide technical oversight for industrial networking, cybersecurity implementation, remote communications, historian integration, alarm management, and enterprise system interfaces.
Identify project risks early, develop mitigation strategies, and provide technical guidance to project managers and clients throughout project execution.
Serve as the primary technical interface with clients, equipment vendors, subcontractors, and regulatory agencies during project execution.
Mentor engineers and designers while providing technical leadership, coaching, and quality oversight across multiple concurrent projects.
Support business development through proposal strategy, technical scope development, estimating, client presentations, pursuit support, and participation in project interviews.
Perform design quality reviews and ensure compliance with client requirements, industry standards, company engineering practices, and applicable codes.
Drive continuous improvement initiatives related to engineering execution, automation technologies, commissioning practices, and project delivery.
Champion a culture of safety, accountability, technical excellence, innovation, and client satisfaction across all project activities.
Performs other duties as assigned.
Complies with all policies and standards.

Qualifications

Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or a related degree from an ABET-accredited program, and 7 years of automation, control systems, SCADA, industrial networking, system integration, or related engineering experience required.
Advanced knowledge of industrial automation systems including PLCs, RTUs, HMIs, SCADA, DCS, field instrumentation, industrial communication protocols, control panels, and control system architectures.
Demonstrated ability to lead automation and controls engineering work from conceptual design through detailed engineering, software development, testing, commissioning, startup, and project closeout.
Experience developing and reviewing technical deliverables such as control system architecture diagrams, controls philosophy documents, control narratives, cause-and-effect matrices, I/O databases, network architecture diagrams, functional specifications, equipment specifications, test plans, and commissioning documentation.
Strong technical leadership, mentoring, coordination, and communication skills with the ability to guide multidisciplinary project teams and interface directly with clients, vendors, subcontractors, and project managers.
Strong analytical, troubleshooting, risk identification, decision-making, and problem-solving skills with the ability to develop practical solutions for complex automation and control system challenges.
Ability to support project planning, estimating, scheduling, change management, quality reviews, proposal development, and technical presentations.
Ability to apply engineering standards, company QA/QC procedures, client requirements, cybersecurity best practices, and applicable industry codes throughout project execution.
Consulting or EPC project experience preferred.
Experience with major automation platforms such as Rockwell Automation, Siemens, Schneider Electric, Emerson, Honeywell, SEL, Ignition, FactoryTalk View, FactoryTalk Optix, AVEVA, or similar systems preferred.
Experience designing, configuring, and troubleshooting industrial networks and communication protocols such as EtherNet/IP, Modbus, DNP3, IEC 61850, OPC UA, MQTT, serial communications, fiber networks, wireless communications, and remote telemetry systems preferred.
Experience with utility, industrial, water and wastewater, power generation, pipeline, renewable natural gas, substation, fueling, or consulting engineering projects preferred.
Experience developing technical standards, reusable software libraries, commissioning procedures, project execution methodologies, or continuous improvement initiatives.
Experience supporting business development activities including proposal strategy, technical scope development, estimating, client presentations, and project interviews.
Professional Engineer (PE) License preferred.
Certified Automation Professional (CAP) preferred.