Sr Automation Engineer

comfortsystemsusa; United States; On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Comfort Systems USA is seeking a Senior Automation Engineer to lead automation projects from concept through commissioning. You will design, program, test, and commission industrial control systems, and mentor teams across engineering, maintenance, and operations.

The role requires 10+ years in automation, strong PLC/SCADA experience, and expertise with FactoryTalk, Ignition, WinCC, or similar platforms. On-site collaboration with manufacturing and maintenance teams is essential.

Qualifications

• Ten or more years of experience designing and supporting industrial automation systems.
• Advanced PLC programming experience with platforms such as Allen-Bradley, Siemens, Schneider Electric, or equivalent.
• Experience developing HMI and SCADA applications using platforms such as FactoryTalk, Ignition, WinCC, Wonderware, or equivalent.
• Strong knowledge of instrumentation, motor controls, variable-frequency drives, servos, robotics, and industrial control panels.
• Experience with industrial communication protocols and networks, including EtherNet/IP, Modbus TCP, PROFINET, OPC UA, or similar technologies.

Responsibilities

• Design, program, test, and commission industrial automation and control systems.
• Develop and maintain PLC, HMI, SCADA, motion-control, and robotic applications.
• Lead automation projects, including requirements gathering, CAPEX and ROI justification, project charter, system architecture, vendor coordination, installation, validation, startup and delivery to operations
• Troubleshoot complex control-system, instrumentation, electrical, and network issues.
• Identify and implement improvements that increase safety, reliability, throughput, quality, and equipment availability, ensuring safety zones meet FSUs standards described in ANSI/RIA R15.06-201 and compatible with operations, quality, and HSE.
• Develop control narratives, functional specifications, electrical drawings, network diagrams, and technical documentation.

Skills

PLC programming

HMI

SCADA systems

industrial networks

instrumentation

process controls

project leadership

risk assessment

vendor coordination

cybersecurity

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Controls Engineering, Automation Engineering, or related

Tools

FactoryTalk

Ignition

WinCC

Wonderware

Allen-Bradley

Siemens

Job description

POSITION OVERVIEW:

The Senior Automation Engineer will oversee the automation projects, designing, planning and implementing advanced industrial automation and control systems. This role will lead automation projects from concept through commissioning, improve the reliability and efficiency of existing systems, and provide technical guidance to engineers, technicians, and cross-functional partners.

Peer relationships include Production, Operations Project Management, Design Engineering, Planning, Maintenance, Quality Control and Facilitates departments.

The ideal candidate has strong experience with PLCs, FSUs, HMIs, SCADA systems, industrial networks, instrumentation, and process controls in a manufacturing or production environment.

KEY JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Design, program, test, and commission industrial automation and control systems.
• Develop and maintain PLC, HMI, SCADA, motion-control, and robotic applications.
• Lead automation projects, including requirements gathering, CAPEX and ROI justification, project charter, system architecture, vendor coordination, installation, validation, startup and delivery to operations
• Troubleshoot complex control-system, instrumentation, electrical, and network issues.
• Identify and implement improvements that increase safety, reliability, throughput, quality, and equipment availability, ensuring safety zones meet FSUs standards described in AINSI/RIA R15.06-201 and compatible with operations, quality, and HSE.
• Develop control narratives, functional specifications, electrical drawings, network diagrams, and technical documentation.
• Integrate automation systems with manufacturing, enterprise, historian, and data-collection platforms, establish programming, cybersecurity, documentation, backup, and change-control standards.
• Conduct risk assessments and ensure systems comply with applicable safety, regulatory, and quality requirements.
• Provide technical leadership, mentoring, and training to engineers, technicians, and operations personnel, supporting project creation, estimates, schedules, capital planning, and contractor management.
• Collaborate with operations, maintenance, IT, engineering, quality, and external system integrators
• Participate in on-call or after-hours support when required for critical production systems.
• Any other responsibilities as assigned by TAS.

JOB SKILLS:

• Maintaining effectiveness when experiencing major changes in work tasks or the work environment; adjusting effectively to work within new work structures, processes, requirements, or cultures.
• Developing and using collaborative relationships to facilitate the accomplishment of work goals.
• Interacting with others in a way that gives them confidence in one's intentions and those of the organization.
• Clearly conveying information and ideas through a variety of media to individuals or groups in a manner that engages the audience and helps them understand and retain the message.
• Making customers and their needs a primary focus of one's actions; developing and sustaining productive customer relationships.
• Identifying and understanding issues, problems, and opportunities; comparing data from different sources to draw conclusions; using effective approaches for choosing a course of action or developing appropriate solutions; taking action that is consistent with available facts, constraints, and probable consequences.
• Appreciating and leveraging the capabilities, insights, and ideas of all individuals. Working effectively with individuals of diverse style, ability, and motivation for a direct effect on business results.
• Taking prompt action to accomplish objectives; taking action to achieve goals beyond what is required; being proactive; generating innovative solutions in work situations.
• Identifying and correcting conditions that affect employee safety, upholding safety standards.
• Setting high standards of performance for self and others; assuming responsibility and accountability for successfully completing assignments or tasks; self-imposing standards of excellence rather than having standards imposed.
• Must be versed in the use of basic Microsoft office tools Excel, PowerPoint, Word, and Project.
• Welding and NDE experience and training.

EDUCATION & TRAINING:

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Controls Engineering, Automation Engineering, or a related discipline.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

• 10 or more years of experience designing and supporting industrial automation systems.
• Advanced PLC programming experience with platforms such as Allen-Bradley, Siemens, Schneider Electric, or equivalent.
• Experience developing HMI and SCADA applications using platforms such as FactoryTalk, Ignition, WinCC, Wonderware, or equivalent.
• Strong knowledge of instrumentation, motor controls, variable-frequency drives, servos, robotics, and industrial control panels.
• Experience with industrial communication protocols and networks, including EtherNet/IP, Modbus TCP, PROFINET, OPC UA, or similar technologies.
• Demonst