Senior Automation Engineer: Lead Complex Controls & Mentorship

United Flow Technologies (UFT); Sacramento (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Travel up to 10%

Job summary

Tesco Controls (a UFT company) seeks a Senior Automation Engineer to lead complex automation projects, including panel design, PLC/SCADA development, wiring, testing, and commissioning. You will mentor engineers, ensure UL compliance, and collaborate with Manufacturing Engineering during submittals.

The role is hands-on with occasional travel up to 10%, focusing on delivering robust, safe control systems and supporting project execution from design through startup.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering or related discipline; equivalent exceptional industry experience may be considered
• Typically 8+ years of industrial controls / systems‑integration experience with proven project execution
• Advanced technical capability in at least one major discipline (panel/electrical design, PLC, SCADA/HMI, networking/telemetry, or systems architecture)
• Strong panel‑design fundamentals including power/control distribution, wiring, and maintainability
• Familiarity with UL 508A and related equipment constraints
• Experience with major controls platforms (Rockwell/AB, Siemens, Schneider Electric) and associated programming
• Experience with SCADA/HMI systems (Ignition, AVEVA/Wonderware, VTScada, FactoryTalk)
• Knowledge of EtherNet/IP, Modbus, OPC UA, and related protocols
• Proven ability to lead technical work through design, FAT, startup, and customer acceptance

Responsibilities

• Lead technical execution for complex projects or defined workstreams in panel design, PLC, SCADA/HMI, networking/telemetry, systems architecture, FAT, and commissioning
• Translate enterprise standards into practical, project-specific technical approaches
• Perform and review complete control-panel design in SolidWorks, including layout and interfaces
• Coordinate with Manufacturing Engineering to resolve constructability, UL/listing, thermal, and production issues
• Develop, review, and troubleshoot PLC applications, SCADA/HMI systems, and industrial networks
• Mentor Automation Engineers and Junior Engineers through real project work and reviews
• Own difficult technical decisions and communicate risks and assumptions to the Project Manager
• Support estimating and proposal development with project knowledge and productivity experience
• Participate in FAT, startup, commissioning, root-cause analysis, and lessons-learned activities
• Engage in shop walks and interface with production when responsible for panels

Skills

Technical depth

Panel design

FAT/commissioning

Mentoring

Field startup

Cross-functional communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering or related discipline

Tools

SolidWorks

Rockwell/Allen-Bradley

Siemens

Schneider Electric

Ignition

AVEVA/Wonderware

VTScada

FactoryTalk

OPC UA

Job description

Tesco Controls (a UFT company) seeks a Senior Automation Engineer to lead complex automation projects, including panel design, PLC/SCADA development, wiring, testing, and commissioning. You will mentor engineers, ensure UL compliance, and collaborate with Manufacturing Engineering during submittals.

The role is hands-on with occasional travel up to 10%, focusing on delivering robust, safe control systems and supporting project execution from design through startup.