Senior Automation & Controls Engineer — Reliability & Projects

Pivotal Solutions; San Leandro (CA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Pivotal Solutions in California seeks a Principal Automation & Controls Engineer to maintain, troubleshoot, and improve PLC/SCADA environments, collaborating with Production, Maintenance, and Quality to ensure safe, reliable operations and clear documentation.

In the first 12–24 months you’ll become the Automation Systems Expert, lead automation scopes on projects, and advance IT/OT data connectivity while upholding safety and compliance standards.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical, Computer, or Mechanical Engineering.
• 5+ years of automation/controls engineering experience; 7+ preferred.
• 2+ years embedded in a manufacturing environment supporting live production systems.
• Experience working with or alongside system integrators delivering automation solutions (preferred).
• Proven experience leading automation/electrical scopes for small-to-medium projects.
• Hands‑on experience with Rockwell Automation platforms (ControlLogix, CompactLogix).
• Experience troubleshooting instrumentation with multimeters and analog/digital signals.
• Experience supporting SCADA systems (FactoryTalk View SE or Ignition).
• Familiarity with industrial networks/protocols (EtherNet/IP, AS-i).
• Experience integrating OT systems with IT infrastructure (SQL, Active Directory, managed networks, virtual environments).
• Familiarity with ThinManager, AssetCentre, and Niagara‑based BMS systems (preferred).
• Familiarity with food manufacturing standards and automation frameworks (GMP, ISA88, ISA95 preferred).
• Experience supporting commissioning, validation, and startup activities.
• Safety‑first mindset with experience supporting compliance and risk awareness.

Responsibilities

• Maintain, troubleshoot, and improve PLC and SCADA environments.
• Collaborate on floor with Production, Maintenance, and Quality to keep systems stable and documented.
• Lead automation workstreams within capital and improvement projects from requirements to commissioning.
• Support IT/OT data connectivity and secure shop-floor integration with enterprise systems.
• Drive continuous improvement through standards, libraries, and KPI analysis.

Job description

Pivotal Solutions in California seeks a Principal Automation & Controls Engineer to maintain, troubleshoot, and improve PLC/SCADA environments, collaborating with Production, Maintenance, and Quality to ensure safe, reliable operations and clear documentation.

In the first 12–24 months you’ll become the Automation Systems Expert, lead automation scopes on projects, and advance IT/OT data connectivity while upholding safety and compliance standards.