Systems Engineer - PLC, SCADA, & Ignition

Proconex; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Proconex, Emerson Impact Partner, seeks a Systems Engineer with Ignition SCADA expertise to support, develop, and enhance manufacturing automation solutions for diverse industries including life sciences and manufacturing.

You will collaborate with operations, engineering, maintenance, IT, and OT teams to deliver reliable automation, troubleshoot PLCs/SCADA, implement upgrades, and create technical documentation for customers.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Automation, Electrical Engineering, or related field.
• 2+ years in industrial automation.
• 3+ years with Ignition SCADA development and support.
• 3+ years integrating PLC platforms (Rockwell, Siemens, Schneider).

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, implement, and maintain Ignition HMI/SCADA apps and automation solutions.
• Integrate Ignition with PLCs, equipment, historians, databases, and other technologies.
• Configure and support industrial networks and protocols including OPC-UA, MQTT, Modbus, Ethernet/IP.
• Develop dashboards, reporting tools, visualizations, and interfaces for operations decisions.
• Troubleshoot and resolve issues involving PLCs, SCADA, databases, networks, and system integrations.
• Support automation system upgrades, migrations, deployments, and lifecycle management.
• Participate from requirements gathering through testing, commissioning, startup.
• Collaborate with operations, engineering, maintenance, IT, and quality teams.
• Create and maintain technical documentation, configurations, and testing records.
• Support validation and compliance activities in regulated environments when required.
• Monitor system performance and identify opportunities to improve reliability and efficiency.
• Serve as a trusted technical resource and provide training for customers.

Skills

Ignition SCADA development

Industrial automation experience

PLC integration

HMI/SCADA development

SQL/database experience

Troubleshooting automation

Customer-facing engineering support

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering/CS/Automation/Electrical

Tools

Ignition

Rockwell PLC

Siemens PLC

Schneider PLC

OPC-UA

MQTT

Modbus

OSI PI

Ignition Historian

Emerson DeltaV

Job description

Job Description

Proconex is the exclusive Emerson Impact Partner for Emerson Automation Solutions in the Mid-Atlantic region. We provide a full portfolio of Process Automation Control Systems, Valves and Control Devices, and related technologies and services to a range of customers—in the Life Sciences, Chemical, Power, Refining, Oil & Gas, Food & Beverage, Paper, Metals, and other industries, as well as commercial enterprises and campus facilities. With three strategically located offices, Proconex maintains a deep dedication to its 200+ employees, a sharp focus on safety and quality, and the drive to deliver.

Proconex is seeking a Systems Engineer with expertise in Ignition SCADA and industrial automation systems to support, develop, and enhance manufacturing automation solutions for our customers. This customer-facing role combines system development, project execution, troubleshooting, and ongoing support across a variety of industrial and life sciences environments.

You will work closely with operations, engineering, maintenance, IT, and OT teams to deliver reliable, scalable automation solutions that improve operational performance, system reliability, and manufacturing efficiency.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, develop, implement, and maintain Ignition HMI/SCADA applications and industrial automation solutions.


• Integrate Ignition platforms with PLCs, manufacturing equipment, historians, databases, and other operational technologies.


• Configure and support industrial communication networks and protocols including OPC-UA, MQTT, Modbus, and Ethernet/IP.


• Develop dashboards, reporting tools, visualizations, and user interfaces that support operational decision-making and manufacturing performance.


• Troubleshoot and resolve issues involving PLCs, SCADA systems, databases, networks, and system integrations to minimize production downtime.


• Support automation system upgrades, migrations, deployments, and lifecycle management activities.


• Participate in project execution from requirements gathering and system design through testing, commissioning, and startup.


• Collaborate with operations, engineering, maintenance, IT, and quality teams to deliver reliable and scalable automation solutions.


• Create and maintain technical documentation, system configurations, functional specifications, testing records, and support procedures.


• Support change management, validation, and compliance activities within regulated manufacturing environments when required.


• Monitor system performance and identify opportunities to improve reliability, maintainability, and operational efficiency.


• Serve as a trusted technical resource for customers and provide ongoing support, training, and knowledge transfer as needed.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Automation, Electrical Engineering, or a related technical discipline, 2+ years of relevant industrial automation experience.


• 3+ years of experience with Ignition SCADA development and support.


• 3+ years of experience with industrial automation systems in manufacturing environments.


• 3+ years of experience integrating PLC platforms such as Rockwell, Siemens, Schneider Electric, or similar systems.


• 3+ years of experience developing HMI/SCADA applications for industrial operations.


• 2+ years of experience working with SQL databases, queries, and data integration.


• 2+ years of experience troubleshooting automation, controls, and manufacturing systems.


• 2+ years of experience in a customer-facing engineering or technical support role.


• Strong written and verbal communication skills, 2+ years of professional experience collaborating with cross-functional teams.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in pharmaceutical, biotech, life sciences, or other regulated manufacturing environments.


• Experience with OPC-UA, MQTT, Modbus, or similar industrial communication protocols.


• Experience with manufacturing data historians such as OSI PI, Ignition Historian, or Canary.


• Experience integrating MES, ERP, or other enterprise manufacturing systems.


• Knowledge of OT networking, industrial cybersecurity, and SCADA architecture best practices.


• Experience supporting validation, CSV, or GMP-regulated systems.


• Experience with Emerson DeltaV systems.


• Ignition certification or other industrial automation certifications.


• Experience supporting automation projects from design through commissioning and long‑term operational support.

Why Join Proconex?

Join a team that partners with leading manufacturers to deliver innovative automation solutions that improve operational performance, reliability, and productivity. You’ll work on impactful projects, build lasting customer relationships, and help shape the future of industrial automation.

We are proud to be an employee-owned organization. Through our ESOP, every team member shares in the growth and success of the company, fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability, and long‑term rewards.

Proconex offers a standout culture, fantastic work environment, and has very competitive benefits to include premium medical, 401K match, tuition reimbursement, and other unique incentives.

When receiving e-mails from a Proconex or Valspec recruiter, you will only receive e-mails from addresses ending in @proconexdirect.com, @proconex.netor @valspec.net. Any other domains are impersonations and should be ignored.

Candidates must be legally eligible to work in the United States without company sponsorship. Also, we are not interested in working on a corp-to-corp basis with other companies at this time.

Any third-party unsolicited resume submission(s) will immediately become the property of Proconex. Proconex will not pay any fee to a submitting employment agency, person, or entity unless a signed agreement is established.

Proconex is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, race, color, religion, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, protected veteran status or any other protected class. We are committed to providing a professional environment free of any discrimination or harassment, and we are proud to be a Drug‑Free Workplace.