Senior level Instrumentation and Controls Engineer

Jacobs; Santa Clara (CA); On-site; USD 161,000 - 221,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

401(k) plan

Stock purchase program

Deferred compensation

Unlimited paid time off

Job summary

Jacobs is seeking a Senior Instrumentation and Controls Engineer to lead a local Santa Clara team, focusing on semiconductor manufacturing automation. You will oversee PLC, HMI, SCADA systems and coordinate with global teams on schedules and reliability goals.

The role demands a PE licensure, a strong background in electrical/mechatronics engineering, and extensive experience with industrial automation platforms. On-site work in Santa Clara, CA is required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical, Automation or Mechatronics Engineering from a USA accredited institution.
• Professional Engineer (PE) licensure.
• Minimum 10 years of direct relatable experience.
• Expertise with Allen-Bradley, Siemens, Emerson platforms.
• Experience with SCADA platforms: Ignition, FactoryTalk, WinCC, Cimplicity.
• Experience with motion control, robotics, and high-speed automation.

Responsibilities

• Manage onsite team of engineers, technicians and programming specialists.
• Provide scope, schedule and budget information to project leadership.
• Lead architectural automation solutions including PLC, HMI, SCADA, networks, and field devices.
• Coordinate with internal and external teams to establish schedules.
• Lead development of HMI/SCADA with emphasis on usability and reliability.
• Mentor staff and drive growth within the team.

Skills

Electrical engineering

Automation engineering

Mechatronics engineering

Professional Engineer (PE) licensure

10 years experience

Allen-Bradley Studio 5000 RSLogix

Siemens TIA Portal S7

Emerson Machine Edition

SCADA platforms (Ignition, FactoryTalk

WinCC, Cimplicity

Motion control, robotics, high-speed</

MES integration, SQL databases, IIoT

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical, Automation or Mechatronics Engineering

Tools

Studio 5000 / RSLogix

TIA Portal / S7

Machine Edition

Ignition / FactoryTalk / WinCC / Cimplicity

Job description

At Jacobs, we're challenging today to reinvent tomorrow by solving the world's most critical problems for thriving cities, resilient environments, mission-critical outcomes, operational advancement, scientific discovery and cutting-edge manufacturing, turning abstract ideas into realities that transform the world for good.

Your impact

We’re seeking a Senior level Instrumentation and Controls Engineer to support and manage a local team in Santa Clara, CA. You will work on projects that enable the heart of our clients semiconductor manufacturing. You and the other team members will work closely with the well-established client owners in a fast paced, dynamic environment to maintain schedule, design requirements, system integration and programming tasks. Example systems include all aspects of facility management, gas life safety and cabinet monitoring including PLC and HMI programming and SCADA communications. Managerial responsibilities will be focused on staff recruitment, hiring, growth and development. Including performance evaluations, defining roles, responsibilities, and expectations, training and continuous long- and short-term career development, conflict resolution, and weekly time sheet review and approval.

What You’ll Do

• Manage onsite team of engineers, technicians and programming specialists.
• Provide scope, schedule and budget information to the project leadership.
• Provide engineering leadership, guidance and technical expertise.
• Architect full automation solutions including PLC, HMI, SCADA, networks, and field devices
• Coordinate with internal and external global teams to establish successful schedules.
• Lead development of HMI/SCADA systems with focus on usability, performance, and reliability
• Lead troubleshooting and root cause analysis for complex system failures and production issues
• Provide mentorship and growth opportunities within the team.

Here’s what you’ll need

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical, Automation or Mechatronics Engineering from a USA accredited institution.
• Professional Engineer (PE) licensure.
• Minimum 10 years of direct relatable experience.
• Advanced experience working with the following, Allen-Bradley (Studio 5000, RSLogix) Siemens (TIA Portal, S7), Emerson (Machine Edition).
• Expertise with SCADA platforms (Ignition, FactoryTalk, WinCC, Cimplicity)
• Experience with motion control, robotics, and high-speed automation systems
• Familiarity with MES integration, databases (SQL), and IIoT systems

Ideally, you’ll also have

• Basic understanding of industrial cybersecurity principles and best practices.
• Extensive knowledge with troubleshooting, verification and commissioning services.
• Basic knowledge with AutoCAD computer drafting software.
• Experience working in semiconductor or datacenter environments including field verifications.

Additional Details

• Preference given to local candidates near Santa Clara, CA, relocation may be provided to well qualified candidates.
• Field work includes active sustaining construction environments.
• Must be authorized to work in the U.S. (no sponsorship).

At Jacobs, we’re committed to improving the lives and communities through innovative, sustainable solutions. We’re driven by collaboration, technical excellence, and a passion for solving some of the world’s most complex challenges -- together.

#AFElectronics #Instrumentation #ControlsEngineering #Automation #ManufacturingJobs #HiringEngineers

• Our health and welfare benefits are designed to invest in you, and in the many ways you care about.
• Your health.
• Your well-being.
• Your security.
• Your future.
• Employees have access to medical, dental, vision, and basic life insurance, a 401(k) plan, and the ability to purchase company stock at a discount.
• Eligible employees may also enroll in a deferred compensation plan or the Executive Deferral Plan.
• Jacobs has an unlimited U.S. Personalized Paid Time Off (PPTO) policy for full-time salaried/exempt employees, seven paid holidays, and caregiver leave.
• And certain roles may be eligible for additional rewards, including merit increases, performance discretionary bonus, and stock.

The base salary range for this position is $160,700.00 to $221,000.00.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status.

Job posted on August 13, 2026. This position will be open for at least 3 days.

Onsite employees are expected to attend a Jacobs Workplace on a full-time basis, as required by the nature of their role.

Your application experience is important to us, and we’re keen to adapt to make every interaction even better. If you require further support or reasonable adjustments with regards to the recruitment process (for example, you require the application form in a different format), please contact the team via Careers Support.