Sr. Systems Engineer I

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.

Senior Systems Engineer I

Position Summary

The Senior Systems Engineer I is an advanced engineering role responsible for independently executing automation and control system projects, leading significant technical scopes of work, and serving as a trusted technical resource for customers and internal teams. This position owns the design, implementation, testing, commissioning, troubleshooting, and ongoing support of industrial automation systems while providing technical leadership, mentorship, and guidance to less experienced engineers.

The Senior Systems Engineer I applies advanced process control and automation expertise to develop and implement solutions, resolve complex technical challenges, optimize system performance, and support project execution from requirements gathering through final delivery. This role regularly interfaces with customer stakeholders, helps shape technical solutions, influences project execution, builds strong customer relationships, and contributes to the development of engineering best practices across the organization.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, configure, implement, and support industrial automation systems, including Distributed Control Systems (DCS), Programmable Logic Controllers (PLC), SCADA systems, data historians, and related technologies.
• Develop and execute automation solutions for complete system areas, process units, and small projects based on customer requirements and operational objectives.
• Create and modify control strategies, automation sequences, graphics, alarm configurations, system architectures, network designs, and related engineering deliverables.
• Evaluate customer requirements, P&IDs, design specifications, process descriptions, and technical documentation to develop practical, scalable solutions that align with operational and business objectives.
• Lead technical discussions with customers and project teams, provide recommendations, identify risks, and drive resolution of technical challenges.
• Lead Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT), Site Acceptance Testing (SAT), commissioning, startup, validation, and change control activities while supporting successful project delivery.
• Troubleshoot complex automation, integration, process control, networking, and operational issues while performing root cause investigations and implementing corrective actions.
• Develop, review, and maintain engineering documentation, including functional specifications, design documentation, testing documentation, and project records in accordance with company and client requirements.
• Serve as a primary technical point of contact for customers during project execution, site support, troubleshooting, commissioning, and operational support activities.
• Mentor Systems Engineer I and Systems Engineer II team members through technical coaching, project execution support, knowledge sharing, and professional development activities.
• Support project planning efforts by providing technical input, risk assessments, scope recommendations, status updates, and execution guidance to project leadership.
• Identify opportunities for additional engineering services and collaborate with leadership and account teams to support customer growth initiatives.
• Contribute to engineering standards, department initiatives, continuous improvement efforts, and the development of scalable solutions and best practices across the organization.
• Utilize emerging technologies and digital tools, including artificial intelligence (AI), to improve engineering productivity, technical documentation, troubleshooting, project execution, and knowledge management activities.

Travel Requirements

This role includes up to 30% travel to customer sites to support project execution, commissioning, startup, troubleshooting, testing, training, and other customer-facing activities.

Project assignments may require extended onsite support at customer locations. Individuals in this role must be open to temporary relocation or assignment-based relocation for project work based on customer, project, and business needs.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Engineering Technology, or a related technical discipline or equivalent experience.
• 5+ years of experience designing, configuring, implementing, testing, commissioning, or supporting industrial automation and control systems within manufacturing, process control, engineering services, life sciences, or related technical environments.
• 5+ years of experience developing automation system designs, control strategies, software configurations, engineering documentation, and project deliverables.
• 5+ years of experience leading commissioning, startup, troubleshooting, operational support, validation, or change control activities for industrial automation systems.
• 5+ years of experience interfacing directly with customers to gather requirements, develop technical solutions, provide recommendations, and support project execution.
• 5+ years of experience providing technical guidance, mentoring team members, reviewing engineering work products, or coordinating technical project activities.
• 5+ years of experience using engineering software, business applications, and Microsoft Office tools, including Word, Excel, Teams, SharePoint, Visio, and Project.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with Emerson DeltaV, Allen-Bradley, Siemens, Ignition, Wonderware, OSI PI, PLC, SCADA, or similar automation platforms.
• Experience designing and supporting integrated manufacturing systems, including control systems, historians, plant networks, and system integrations.
• Experience implementing automation solutions in pharmaceutical, biotechnology, life sciences, chemical, energy, utilities, food and beverage, or advanced manufacturing environments.
• Experience leading Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT), Site Acceptance Testing (SAT), commissioning, startup, validation, and operational readiness activities.
• Experience supporting proposal development, technical scope definition, project estimating, or business development initiatives.
• Experience with industrial networking, cybersecurity, virtualization, system integration, database technologies, or industrial communication protocols.
• Experience leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) tools to improve engineering productivity, technical documentation, software development, troubleshooting, data analysis, project execution, or other business and engineering workflows.

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.net or @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.