Senior Controls and Automation Technician

Iconcareers; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

ICON is seeking a Senior Controls and Automation Technician to develop, maintain, and troubleshoot control systems for Titan and Vulcan on active construction sites and in the Austin facility.

You will write and refine PLC logic, commission automated systems, diagnose failures from the physical layer up, and build operator and technician documentation. Expect field travel and direct ownership of controls infrastructure to keep the fleet running.

Qualifications

• 4+ years in industrial automation, production, field service, robotics, or similar environments.
• Hands-on controls troubleshooting across 24VDC, sensors, relays, VFDs/servos, encoders.
• Familiarity with PLC platforms (Beckhoff, Rockwell, Siemens, Codesys) and industrial networks.
• Willingness to travel for commissioning and support.
• Ability to read electrical schematics and update documentation.
• Strong safety mindset and structured troubleshooting practices.

Responsibilities

• Develop and refine PLC logic, HMI screens, alarms, interlocks, and automation sequences.
• Create and maintain controls documentation: I/O lists, wiring diagrams, baselines, checklists, SOPs.
• Diagnose controls-related failures using logs, sensors, and diagnostics.
• Integrate, test, and validate sensors, actuators, drives, and safety systems.
• Perform root cause analysis and implement corrective actions.
• Follow change control (ECO/ECN) for field updates and releases.
• Collaborate with mechanical, electrical, software, and field teams to standardize architectures.
• Support operator training and develop diagnostic guides and troubleshooting playbooks.
• Commission, troubleshoot, and support automated equipment in factory and field.

Skills

PLC troubleshooting

HMI development

Field service

Schematic reading

Industrial networking

Safety minded

Travel to sites

Tools

Beckhoff/TwinCAT

Rockwell Studio 5000

Siemens TIA Portal

Codesys

Job description

ICON is looking for a Senior Controls and Automation Technician to develop, maintain, and troubleshoot the control systems that run Titan and Vulcan on active construction sites and in ICON's Austin facility. This is a hands-on technical role — you will write and refine PLC logic, commission automated systems, diagnose controls failures from the physical layer up, and build the documentation that helps operators and technicians work independently. Expect field travel, dynamic environments, and direct ownership of the controls infrastructure that keeps the fleet running.

Responsibilities

• Develop and refine PLC logic, HMI screens, alarms, interlocks, and automation sequences to improve safety, uptime, and usability.
• Create and maintain controls documentation: I/O lists, wiring and network diagrams, configuration baselines, commissioning checklists, and service/SOP procedures.
• Diagnose controls-related failures using logs, fault codes, instrumentation, and structured troubleshooting (power, I/O, comms, motion, safety).
• Integrate, test, and validate sensors, actuators, drives, VFDs/servos, pneumatics/hydraulics interfaces, and safety systems (E-stops, light curtains, safety relays, STO).
• Perform root cause analysis (RCA) and implement corrective actions; document findings and prevent recurrence.
• Follow configuration control and change management practices (ECO/ECN) for field updates and validated releases.
• Collaborate with mechanical, electrical, software, and field teams to standardize architectures and implement reliability improvements.
• Support operator/technician training and develop clear diagnostic guides and troubleshooting playbooks.
• Commission, troubleshoot, and support automated industrial equipment in factory and field environments.

Minimum Qualifications

• 4+ years supporting, troubleshooting, or commissioning industrial automation or electromechanical systems in production, field service, construction, robotics, or similar environments.
• Demonstrated hands-on controls troubleshooting across electrical systems: 24VDC controls, sensors, relays/contactors, VFDs/servos, encoders, and basic instrumentation.
• Experience with at least one PLC platform (or equivalent controls environment): Beckhoff/TwinCAT, Rockwell Studio 5000, Siemens TIA Portal, Codesys, or similar.
• Working knowledge of common industrial communications/networking (e.g., EtherNet/IP, Profinet, EtherCAT, Modbus TCP/RTU) and basic network troubleshooting.
• Ability to read and interpret electrical schematics and troubleshoot from drawings and update documentation with guidance.
• Willingness to work in dynamic, field-like environments and travel as needed for commissioning/support.
• Strong safety mindset and ability to follow structured troubleshooting and verification practices.

Preferred Skills and Experience

• Motion control experience (servo tuning, homing strategies, basic performance optimization).
• Functional safety familiarity (risk assessment concepts, safety circuits, ISO 13849 / IEC 61508 awareness).
• Experience with power quality issues, grounding/noise mitigation, generators, and field power distribution.
• Experience supporting hydraulic systems from a controls perspective (instrumentation, interlocks, HPU integration).
• Scripting or automation skills (Python, Bash) and familiarity with data logging/diagnostics.
• Experience with large-format robotics, gantry/CNC-like systems, or complex multi-subsystem industrial machines.
• Experience creating commissioning checklists, test procedures, and training materials for technicians/operators.

ICON is an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering an innovative, inclusive, diverse and discrimination-free work environment. Employment with ICON is based on merit, competence, and qualifications. It is our policy to administer all personnel actions, including recruiting, hiring, training, and promoting employees, without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin or ancestry, age, disability, marital status, veteran status, or any other legally protected classification in accordance with applicable federal and state laws. Consistent with the obligations of these laws, ICON will make reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities.

Furthermore, as a federal government contractor, the Company maintains an affirmative action program which furthers its commitment and complies with recordkeeping and reporting requirements under certain federal civil rights laws and regulations, including Executive Order 11246, Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (as amended) and the Vietnam Era Veterans' Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974 (as amended).