System Controls Engineer

Position Summary

One of our clients is seeking a Controls Engineer to develop, maintain, troubleshoot, and continuously improve automation and control systems supporting critical industrial operations. This role is focused on maximizing uptime, reliability, throughput, and process efficiency through design, integration, troubleshooting, and optimization of automation technologies.

A key requirement for this position is direct hands-on experience with Emerson Ovation DCS hardware/software (mandatory). Candidates must have practical experience supporting, troubleshooting, configuring, maintaining, or upgrading Emerson Ovation systems in an industrial or process-control environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, develop, implement, and support industrial automation control systems and equipment

• Program, integrate, troubleshoot, and maintain Emerson Ovation DCS systems, along with PLC, HMI, and related control platforms

• Diagnose and resolve automation, controls, and instrumentation issues to minimize downtime and improve reliability

• Develop and troubleshoot ladder logic, control sequences, and process automation strategies

• Review and create electrical panel layouts, wiring schematics, loop drawings, and bills of materials (BOMs)

• Support hardware electrical systems including control panels, motors, variable frequency drives (VFDs), actuators, and field devices

• Troubleshoot electrical systems up to 480VAC / 24VDC and support instrumentation signal loops (4-20mA, digital I/O, etc.)

• Gather and analyze process data to identify operational improvements and increase system efficiency

• Develop functional specifications, control narratives, project scopes, cost estimates, and implementation plans

• Review construction / installation drawings and maintain system documentation, SOPs, and technical training manuals

• Collaborate with internal engineering teams, plant operations, contractors, and vendors on automation initiatives

• Train and support maintenance technicians and electricians on control systems operation and troubleshooting

• Participate in FAT/SAT testing, commissioning, startup support, shutdown planning, and field troubleshooting

• Travel as required for project support and site visits

Required Qualifications

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

• 5+ years of controls / automation engineering experience in industrial, utility, or process-control environments

• Direct hands-on Emerson Ovation DCS hardware/software experience (required / non-negotiable)

• Experience with system configuration, troubleshooting, upgrades, maintenance, and support of Ovation control systems

• Strong experience with PLC programming, HMI development, and industrial automation integration

• Minimum 2+ years of hands-on PLC / controls troubleshooting experience

• Experience troubleshooting electrical systems up to 480VAC and 24VDC controls

• Hands-on troubleshooting of motors, VFDs, actuators, control valves, and related industrial equipment

• Familiarity with pneumatic and hydraulic systems

• Strong analytical, root-cause troubleshooting, and problem-solving skills

• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced plant / project environment

• Strong communication and cross-functional collaboration skills

• Flexibility to support field work, commissioning, and travel as needed

Preferred Experience

• Power generation, utilities, heavy industrial, water/wastewater, or process manufacturing background strongly preferred

• Experience with instrumentation calibration (flow, pressure, level, temperature, vibration, etc.)

• Knowledge of industrial communication protocols such as OPC, Modbus, Ethernet/IP, Profibus, or similar

• Understanding of P&IDs, loop drawings, control network architecture, and process control documentation

• Experience with system modernization / migration projects involving legacy DCS or PLC platforms

• Exposure to conveyor systems, water treatment, wastewater treatment, or process utilities is a plus

Core Competencies

• Emerson Ovation DCS Support & Troubleshooting

• Industrial Automation & Controls Engineering

• PLC / HMI / DCS Integration

• Electrical Design & Troubleshooting

• Instrumentation & Process Controls

• Root Cause Analysis & Process Optimization

• Project Execution & Technical Leadership

• Cross-Functional Collaboration & Training

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