Senior Plant Controls Engineer

TAI; Arlington (VA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 175,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual Profit Sharing Bonus

PTO and Paid Holidays

Health Benefits

401(k) with employer match

Professional Development opportunities

Job summary

TAI in Arlington, VA is looking for a Senior Controls Engineer/Project Manager to lead performance in a large-scale Distributed Control System. You'll drive improvements and support operations in a critical mission environment, ensuring safety and efficiency.

The ideal candidate has over ten years of experience in the industry and strong knowledge of programming in PLC and HMI systems. This role offers a competitive salary ranging from $120,000 to $175,000 annually.

Qualifications

• Minimum of ten years' industry experience.
• Minimum five years with industrial controls.
• Control System Design Experience is a plus.
• Experience with boilers, chillers, pumps, and valves.

Responsibilities

• Lead the performance and evolution of a Distributed Control System.
• Drive continuous improvement projects across diverse technologies.
• Program changes to the PLC and HMI systems.
• Support and supervise Control Techs in equipment calibration.

Skills

Industrial controls

Allen Bradley / Rockwell Hardware

HMI/SCADA

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering or equivalent work experience

Tools

ICONICS GENESIS64 HMI software

PLC and HMI systems

Job description

Join a mission critical operation where you’ll lead the performance, reliability, and evolution of a large scale Distributed Control System supporting a 24/7 campus facility. As the Senior Controls Engineer/Project Manager, you’ll drive continuous improvement projects, implement control system upgrades, and troubleshoot complex automation challenges across a diverse set of technologies. You’ll balance hands on engineering with daily operational leadership, guiding field technicians and coordinating work that keeps the plant running safely and efficiently. This role is ideal for someone who thrives at the intersection of technical depth, system stewardship, and on site leadership.

About TAI

TAI brings together engineering, construction, systems integration, on-site services, and technical services — combining proven execution with trusted expertise to support clients across the entire project lifecycle. Team members at TAI are capable, well-rounded, flexible, and optimistic. We have found that the best employees are the ones who recognize the importance of what they do and the ones who let that guide them in the actions they take. More than any skill, we seek people who make decisions that support the common good. We work for our clients, and we work for one another.

Here’s a glimpse into your day to day

• Being a Subject Matter Expert on the control system and provide counsel to all the stakeholders.
• Designing and implementing small control system related continuous improvement projects
• 25+ active projects that include but are not limited to: adding instrumentation and integrating into control systems, replacing control system panels with panels that have up-to-date equipment, troubleshooting devices that have stopped functioning, reviewing systems to recommend spare parts to be purchased.
• Programming changes to the PLC and HMI system.
• Troubleshooting controls related issues.
• Management of TAI’s field office. Which includes
• Coordinating the schedule of PM and other work with the customer and control techs.
• Review of all reports generated.
• Front line oversight of the 2 Control Techs
• Support and supervise Control Techs in the calibration and maintenance of controls devices. Examples of such devices are Pressure, Temperature, Level and Flow Transmitters, Motor starters, VFDs, Analyzers, and valves.
• PLC System software support, to include updating regularly released patches and version upgrades by Allen Bradley or other PLC manufacturers.

You’ll be a perfect fit if you have

• Minimum of ten (10) years’ industry experience.
• Minimum 5 years with industrial controls with Allen Bradley / Rockwell Hardware
• Control System Design Experience is a plus.
• Bachelor's degree in engineering (mechanical, chemical, electrical, etc.) OR at least 10 years of relevant work experience.
• Experience with HMI/SCADA is required, preferably with ICONICS GENESIS64 HMI software package.
• Experience with boilers, chillers, pumps, valves, building automation, and related systems.
• Be able to pass a federal background check
• Able and willing to commute daily to facility located in Arlington, VA.
• Must be able to walk two miles continuously, with or without accommodation.

Compensation and Benefits

• Pay: $120,000-175,000 annually (depending on experience)
• Annual Profit Sharing Bonus (variable)
• PTO and Paid Holidays
• Health Benefits: Employee through family level coverage for medical, dental, and vision insurances. Company funded life and long-term disability insurances. Short Term Disability, FSA, HSA, EAP, and supplemental life insurances (employee – family) are also available!
• 401(k)with employer match

Hours

• M-F, 6:30am – 3pm. Emergency service/work may be required off hours.

Other Offerings

• The opportunity to make a real impact on a variety of industry-leading projects.
• The ability to balance your work and family activities.
• Work in a dynamic and collaborative environment that values creativity and innovation.
• A chance to learn and grow alongside some of the brightest minds in engineering.
• Professional Development, Tuition Reimbursement, and Association Membership Reimbursements.

Discover what makes TAI a top-20 manufacturing partner, according to Engineering News-Record (ENR), and one of the top-50 fastest-growing private companies in the Baltimore Business Journal. Learn more about us at www.taiengineering.com.