Water Programming and Commissioning - Group Leader

Jacob; Columbus (OH); Hybrid; USD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision insurance

401(k) plan with company match

Stock purchase plan

Unlimited PPTO (full-time)

7 paid holidays & caregiver leave

Job summary

Jacobs Engineering Group is seeking a Water Programming and Commissioning Group Leader to guide PLC/SCADA development and testing across Ohio, Michigan, and Indiana. You will lead teams, set standards, and ensure reliable control solutions for water/regulatory facilities.

The role emphasizes staff development, client engagement, and delivering secure, maintainable automation. A collaborative, inclusive culture and hybrid work model support your leadership and project success.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Engineering Technology, Computer Science, or equivalent experience.
• 7+ years of experience in industrial automation, SCADA, or control systems engineering.
• Demonstrated experience leading PLC and SCADA development projects from design through commissioning.
• Experience with Rockwell Automation and PLC programming; familiarity with SCADA platforms and OT networks.

Responsibilities

• Lead business development initiatives and expand market presence.
• Design, develop, test, and commission PLC, HMI, and SCADA systems for utility/industrial projects.
• Provide technical leadership to programmers and project teams.
• Collaborate with clients and operations to define requirements and resolve challenges.
• Develop PLC control strategies, SCADA architectures, and cybersecurity requirements.
• Oversee programming standards, reviews, and QA activities.
• Coordinate efforts across multiple projects within schedules and budgets.
• Mentor junior staff and support career growth.

Skills

PLC & SCADA development

Rockwell Automation

Allen-Bradley PLC programming

SCADA platforms

Industrial Ethernet

Stakeholder engagement

Leadership & mentoring

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering/Engineering Tech/CS

Tools

Rockwell Automation

Wonderware/AVEVA

Ignition

VTScada

Job description

Water Programming and Commissioning - Group Leader

At Jacobs, we're challenging today to reinvent tomorrow by solving the world's most critical problems for thriving cities, resilient environments, mission-critical outcomes, operational advancement, scientific discovery and cutting-edge manufacturing, turning abstract ideas into realities that transform the world for good.

Your impact

At Jacobs, we're challenging today to reinvent tomorrow by delivering innovative water and wastewater solutions that strengthen communities and improve resiliency. We are seeking a Programming & Commissioning Group Leader to help grow our automation capabilities across Ohio, Michigan, and Indiana while mentoring the next generation of technical leaders.

Position Summary

The Water Resources, Programming & Commissioning Group Leader is responsible for the leadership, growth, performance, and strategic direction of the group's practice across Ohio, Michigan, and Indiana. This role combines people leadership, technical excellence, project delivery oversight, and business management to advance the firm's programming development, testing, and commissioning capabilities. The Programming & Commissioning Leader is accountable for developing staff, ensuring successful project delivery, growing client relationships, and achieving business objectives while fostering a culture of collaboration, quality, safety, and inclusion. You will also be the primary technical resource for automation and control system projects, providing leadership in PLC and SCADA programming, commissioning, troubleshooting, and client engagement. This role is responsible for guiding project teams, establishing programming standards, and developing a competitive team to successfully deliver reliable, secure, and maintainable control system solutions.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead business development initiatives with internal and external clients to expand the Programming and Integration group’s market presence, client relationships, and revenue opportunities.
• Lead the design, development, testing, and commissioning of PLC, HMI, and SCADA systems for utility and industrial automation projects.
• Provide technical leadership and guidance to programmers, system integrators, and project teams throughout the project lifecycle.
• Collaborate directly with clients, operations personnel, engineering teams, and contractors to define functional requirements and resolve complex technical challenges.
• Develop and review PLC control strategies, SCADA architectures, alarming philosophies, communications networks, and cybersecurity requirements.
• Oversee programming standards, code reviews, testing procedures, and quality assurance activities to ensure consistency with Jacobs established standards.
• Coordinate programming efforts across multiple projects while ensuring adherence to schedules, budgets, and customer expectations.
• Support OT cybersecurity initiatives, including network segmentation, secure remote access, and compliance with organizational standards.
• Mentor junior programmers and engineers, providing technical coaching and promoting best practices.
• Support project managers and other technical leaders in managing scope, schedule, budget, quality, and contractual requirements.
• Advance the group's reputation for technical excellence and innovative, data-driven solutions.
• Foster an inclusive environment where diverse perspectives are valued, employees can thrive, and teams are empowered to deliver their best work.
• Lead workforce planning, resource management, and staff utilization efforts.
• Recruit, hire, onboard, and retain top talent while supporting company diversity and workforce development goals.
• Develop, mentor, and inspire a high-performing team while supporting career growth and succession planning.
• Foster team engagement through regular communication, one-on-one meetings, and team-building activities.

Business & Market Leadership

• Assist the Department leader in developing and executing growth strategies, business plans, and performance goals for the group.
• Partner with Operations, Market Solutions, Department Leaders, and Sales teams to grow and maintain sustainable work pipelines.
• Build and maintain strong client relationships and support business development, proposals, and strategic pursuits.
• Promote innovation, digital solutions, and emerging technologies within the practice.

#LI-AD2

Here’s what you'll need

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Engineering Technology, Computer Science, or equivalent experience.
• 7+ years of experience in industrial automation, SCADA, or control systems engineering.
• Demonstrated experience leading PLC and SCADA development projects from design through commissioning.
• Strong working knowledge of:
  • Rockwell Automation (ControlLogix, CompactLogix, FactoryTalk)
  • Allen-Bradley PLC programming
  • Wonderware/AVEVA, Ignition, VTScada, or similar SCADA platforms
  • Industrial Ethernet and OT networking
  • Experience supporting critical infrastructure, utilities, water/wastewater, electric distribution, or industrial facilities.
  • Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills.

Our health and welfare benefits are designed to invest in you, and in the things you care about. Your health. Your well-being. Your security. Your future.

• Employees have access to medical, dental, vision, and basic life insurance, a 401(k) plan, and the ability to purchase company stock at a discount.
• Eligible employees may also enroll in a deferred compensation plan or the Executive Deferral Plan.
• Jacobs has an unlimited U.S. Personalized Paid Time Off (PPTO) policy for full-time salaried/exempt employees, seven paid holidays, and caregiver leave.
• And certain roles may be eligible for additional rewards, including merit increases, performance discretionary bonus, and stock.

The base salary range for this position is $110,000.00 to $160,000.00. Within the range, individual pay is determined by work location and additional factors, including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status.

Job posted on November 02, 2026. This position will be open for at least 3 days.

We value collaboration and believe that in-person interactions are crucial for both our culture and client delivery. We empower employees with our hybrid working policy, allowing them to split their work week between Jacobs offices/projects and remote locations enabling them to deliver their best work.

Your application experience is important to us, and we’re keen to adapt to make every interaction even better. If you require further support or reasonable adjustments with regards to the recruitment process (for example, you require the application form in a different format), please contact the team via Careers Support .