Sr. SCADA Engineer

Planet Group; Sparks (NV); Hybrid; USD 130,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Dental benefits

Vision benefits

401(k)

Paid time off

Professional development opportunities

Job summary

The Planet Group is seeking a Senior SCADA Engineer for a high-volume lithium-ion battery manufacturing environment in Sparks, NV. Lead design, development, and optimization of SCADA/HMI solutions with Ignition, PLC integration, and database tooling to improve performance and reliability.

Work with Controls, MES, IT, Quality, and Process Engineering teams; hands-on floor support; strong scripting and database experience essential for scalable industrial systems.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of SCADA/HMI engineering experience in manufacturing or industrial environment.
• Strong Ignition SCADA experience preferred.
• Experience integrating SCADA with PLCs and automation equipment.
• Backend development and scripting proficiency (Python/Java).
• Industrial databases experience including SQL querying and data management.

Responsibilities

• Lead development, implementation, and ongoing support of SCADA systems across the facility.
• Design, develop, and maintain HMI applications using Ignition modules.
• Integrate SCADA with PLCs, field devices, databases, and third‑party systems.
• Develop reusable templates and scalable architectures for multiple production lines.
• Collaborate with Controls, MES, IT, Quality, and Process Engineering teams.

Skills

SCADA/HMI engineering

Ignition SCADA

PLC integration

Python scripting

SQL/Database experience

Industrial data systems

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical/Mechanical/Computer Engineering or related field

Tools

Ignition

SQL Server

PostgreSQL

Job description

Senior SCADA Engineer - 649613
Location: Sparks, Nevada (suburb of Reno)
Pay Range: $130K - $170K DOE
Work Hours: Core hours are 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM (flexible)
Type of Employment: Permanent Hire
Benefits: Competitive Benefits Package including health, dental, vision, 401(k), paid time off, and professional development opportunities.
Hybrid: Partial hybrid schedule -- 4 days onsite, 1 day
Remote: No
Relocation: Yes
Sponsorship: No

The Planet Group is currently seeking a Senior SCADA Engineer for a growing company in the advanced battery manufacturing and energy technology industry. Qualified candidates must have 8+ years of industrial SCADA/HMI engineering experience, strong Ignition SCADA expertise, PLC integration experience, Python scripting skills, and hands-on database experience supporting manufacturing or industrial automation systems. This role will support a high-volume lithium-ion battery manufacturing facility and will play a key role in developing scalable, secure, and high-performance SCADA solutions.

Job Description

The Senior SCADA Engineer will lead the design, development, implementation, and optimization of SCADA systems supporting a high-volume manufacturing environment. This position will serve as a technical leader within the SCADA/MES ecosystem, partnering closely with Controls, MES, IT, Quality, and Process Engineering teams to improve manufacturing performance, reliability, and scalability.

This role requires a hands-on engineer who can work directly with production teams on the manufacturing floor to troubleshoot issues, develop solutions, and deploy improvements that support operational excellence. The ideal candidate will have deep experience with SCADA platforms, industrial data systems, automation integration, and Industry 4.0 initiatives.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead development, implementation, and ongoing support of SCADA systems across the manufacturing facility.
• Design, develop, and maintain standardized HMI applications using Ignition SCADA (Vision and Perspective modules).
• Integrate SCADA systems with PLCs, field devices, databases, and third-party manufacturing systems.
• Develop reusable SCADA templates, UDTs, and best practices to support scalability across production lines and facilities.
• Support manufacturing processes including mixing, coating, calendaring, slitting, assembly, formation, and end-of-line operations.
• Design and optimize SCADA data architectures, historians, and transactional data flows.
• Develop database solutions using SQL Server, PostgreSQL, and Ignition database tools.
• Create scripting solutions using Python and/or Java to automate processes and improve system functionality.
• Integrate SCADA platforms with enterprise and manufacturing systems including MES, quality systems, vision systems, REST APIs, MQTT, OPC UA, and Unified Namespace (UNS) architectures.
• Partner with Controls Engineers to troubleshoot PLC, automation, and sequence control issues.
• Lead root cause analysis for SCADA system issues impacting production.
• Support testing, validation, deployment, and change management activities.
• Develop and maintain technical documentation including architecture diagrams, SOPs, and HMI standards.
• Ensure compliance with IT/OT cybersecurity standards and industrial best practices.
• Mentor junior engineers and contractors while supporting continuous improvement initiatives.
• Contribute to digital manufacturing and Industry 4.0 roadmap development.

Requirements

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related technical field.
• 8+ years of SCADA/HMI engineering experience in a manufacturing or industrial environment.
• Strong experience with SCADA platforms, including Ignition SCADA (preferred).
• Experience integrating SCADA systems with PLCs and industrial automation equipment.
• Strong backend development and scripting experience.
• Proficiency with Python and/or Java.
• Advanced experience with industrial databases, including SQL querying, scripting, and data management.
• Experience with industrial communication protocols including:
  • OPC UA
  • Modbus
  • EtherCAT
  • Ethernet/IP
  • Profinet
  • MQTT
• Experience designing scalable and high-availability industrial systems.
• Understanding of electrical hardware, schematics, and sequence control.
• Strong analytical troubleshooting and root cause analysis skills.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional and global teams.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working in high-volume manufacturing environments.
• Experience with battery manufacturing, semiconductor, automotive, or similar advanced manufacturing industries.
• Experience with vision systems such as Keyence or Cognex.
• PLC programming and troubleshooting experience with Mitsubishi or Omron systems.
• Knowledge of ISA-88 and/or PackML standards.
• Familiarity with industrial cybersecurity practices and IT/OT environments.
• Experience with Industry 4.0 initiatives, manufacturing analytics, and digital transformation projects.
• Familiarity with U.S. environmental regulations and UL standards.

The Planet Group is a global professional services firm delivering strategic staffing and advisory solutions. We operate at the intersection of talent and transformation - connecting the right people with the right opportunities. Named one of the fastest-growing private companies in the US, The Planet Group operates with a global reach and a performance-first mindset. We partner with clients to move fast, stay agile, and drive measurable results - building high-impact teams that fuel transformation and growth.

EEOC Compliance Statement

The Planet Group is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status.