System Specialist Senior

Job Summary: Systems Specialist Sr is a highly experienced controls professional with extensive expertise in PLC-based automation systems, industrial controls, and mission‑critical environments. This role requires advanced technical skills in PLC, HMI, and SCADA systems, along with strong communication and leadership abilities. The specialist demonstrates a thorough understanding of control system hardware and software, applies control theory principles, and supports troubleshooting, commissioning, and long-term operation of complex automated systems.

Responsibilities:

• Determine system architecture, design criteria, and performance parameters for PLC‑based control system applications.

• Develop system I/O maps and specify PLC, HMI, networking, and control hardware to meet current design requirements and accommodate future system expansion.

• Design, configure, and support industrial and critical-environment control system hardware and software.

• Develop, modify, and maintain PLC and HMI/SCADA programs to meet defined functional and operational requirements.

• Troubleshoot PLC hardware, control panels, field devices, and HMI/SCADA software issues, and clearly communicate findings and recommendations to customers, technicians, and management.

• Monitor and ensure progress, quality, and completion of all assigned service, commissioning, and support tasks.

• Perform, oversee, assist with, and approve system testing and commissioning activities.

• Provide service and technical support for existing control systems to ensure continued compliance with applicable codes, standards, and customer requirements.

• Assist the Sales team during the estimating and pre‑sales phase by supporting technical discussions, site visits, system evaluations, and product demonstrations.

• Provide technical guidance and mentoring to junior technicians and field personnel.

• Create and maintain accurate technical documentation including as‑built drawings, software backups, and commissioning reports.

• Utilize diagnostic and troubleshooting tools such as multimeters, network analyzers, programming software, and test equipment.

• Complete timesheets, service reports, and required documentation accurately and in a timely manner.

• May be required to access elevated work areas, mechanical rooms, control panels, industrial machinery, and mission‑critical spaces.

• Maintain a clean driving record and travel to customer sites as required, including extended durations.

• Stay current with evolving automation technologies, PLC platforms, and industry best practices through continuous education and development.

• Perform other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or equivalent combination of education and experience.

• 5+ years of experience supporting PLC‑based automation systems in industrial, mission‑critical, or building automation environments.

• 5+ years of experience with PLC and HMI programming, commissioning, and troubleshooting.

• Working knowledge of PLC and HMI platforms including Ignition SCADA.

• Experience with one or more of the following programming environments: CodeSys (IEC 61131‑3), RSLogix / Studio 5000 (Allen‑Bradley), AVEVA / Wonderware, CX‑Programmer (Omron)

• Strong understanding of control system hardware including PLCs, I/O, VFDs, sensors, actuators, and industrial networking.

• Basic to intermediate mechanical and electrical troubleshooting skills.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications.

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability to explain technical concepts clearly to both technical and non‑technical audiences.

• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.

• Clean driving record.

Preferred Qualifications:

• 7+ years of experience in industrial automation, mission‑critical, or building automation environments.

• 7+ years of PLC and HMI/SCADA programming and system integration experience.

• Master's degree in Computer Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or Electrical Engineering.

• Experience with HVAC controls, building automation systems (BAS), and DDC systems.

• Working knowledge of BACnet protocols and DDC controls.

• Experience with CX‑Alloy.

• Ignition SCADA HMI certification(s).

• Experience supporting commissioning, retrofits, and long-term service of operational control systems.

Physical Demands:

In general, the following physical demands are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job.

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, climb, walk, sit, push, pull, squat, crawl, and stoop. The employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, feel objects, and type on keyboard; reach with hands and arms; talk and hear. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. The use of power tools will be required to effectively perform this position. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds and may be required to work at heights over 1.8m (6 feet)

Working Conditions:

In general, the following conditions of the work environment are representative of those that an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee will be exposed to outdoor weather conditions, work on job sites, may be required to travel to and from job site locations, may work in a typical office environment, and is occasionally exposed to construction equipment. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. Confined space entry may be required. High work may be required.