Technical Operations lead/SCADA/PLC

Navitas Partners, LLC; Ulysses (KS); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Navitas Partners, LLC is seeking a Lead Controls Engineer in Ulysses, Kansas to lead hands-on troubleshooting and optimization of plant automation systems. The role requires 6+ years in industrial controls and a strong background in PLC programming, HMI/SCADA, and electrical schematics.

The candidate will mentor junior engineers, coordinate with maintenance and IT, and drive reliability improvements across conveyors, drives, sensors, and vision systems.

Qualifications

• 6+ years of experience in industrial controls, automation, or information systems.
• Strong PLC programming, commissioning, and troubleshooting experience; Schneider Electric / Modicon PLC preferred.
• Experience with ladder logic, I/O mapping, HMI integration, electrical schematics, and industrial networks; 4GL scripting beneficial.

Responsibilities

• Provide hands-on technical leadership and troubleshoot plant-floor automation systems.
• Lead root-cause analysis and cross-functional collaboration to restore uptime.
• Support legacy controls, upgrades, replacements, and modernization initiatives.

Skills

PLC programming

SCADA/HMI

Ignition

iFix

Ladder logic

HMI integration

Electrical schematics

SQL

Scripting

Root-cause analysis

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Engineering, or related technical field

Tools

Schneider Electric / Modicon PLC

Keyence

Cognex

SICK Vision Systems

Ignition

iFix

Job description

Title:Technical Operations lead/SCADA/PLC

Location: Ulysses, Kansas, United States

Schedule: M- F | 2 Shifts:

1st shift: 6 AM- 4 PM

2nd shift: 3 PM -12 AM

Type: Fully Onsite

Job Summary:

Seeking a Lead Controls Engineer with 6+ years of experience in industrial controls, automation, or Information Systems to provide hands‑on technical leadership and troubleshoot plant‑floor automation systems.

Key Requirements:

• Strong PLC programming, commissioning, and troubleshooting experience.
• Schneider Electric / Modicon PLC experience highly preferred.
• Experience with ladder logic, structured programming, I/O mapping, HMI integration, and electrical schematics.
• Troubleshooting of conveyors, motors/drives, sensors, photo eyes, interlocks, sequencing, and material‑handling equipment.
• Experience with industrial barcode/scanning/vision systems – Keyence, Cognex, or SICK preferred.
• Strong SCADA/HMI experience, especially Ignition and iFix.
• Ability to troubleshoot industrial networks and communications between PLCs, HMIs, scanners, and field devices.
• Experience supporting legacy controls, upgrades, replacements, and modernization.
• Knowledge of SQL, scripting, server‑based technologies, and 4GL programming.
• Strong root‑cause analysis, problem‑solving, communication, and cross‑functional collaboration skills.
• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Engineering, or related technical field; equivalent experience may be considered.

Ideal Candidate:

Hands‑on Controls/Automation Engineer who can diagnose issues across PLC, electrical, communications, HMI/SCADA, and plant equipment and restore production uptime.