Senior Ovation DCS Programmer - Systems Engineer

Your Opportunity Stantec is seeking a highly experienced Senior Emerson Ovation DCS Programmer – Systems Engineer to support the design, implementation, commissioning, and long‑term support of Emerson Ovation Distributed Control Systems for water and wastewater treatment facilities. The role is a senior technical position responsible for hands‑on system programming, configuration, troubleshooting, and optimization, with direct involvement in plant operations, startup, and lifecycle support. The successful candidate will serve as a technical lead, supporting project delivery while mentoring junior staff and collaborating closely with operations, engineering, and project management teams. Your Key Responsibilities Design, program, test, configure, and commission industrial control systems, including Emerson’s Ovation DCS and PLCs such as Allen‑Bradley, Siemens, Schneider, and GE, as well as SCADA and HMI platforms. Develop control logic, communication architectures, operator graphics, alarm configurations, system databases, and integration strategies. Participate in system upgrades, troubleshooting, and root‑cause analysis of automation issues. Lead the design and architecture of advanced industrial control systems, including PLC, SCADA, DCS, HMI, and OT networking infrastructure. Architect robust system standards aligned with operational, safety, and cybersecurity best practices (ISA, IEC 62443, NIST CSF, NFPA). Develop and approve control logic, high‑level functional specifications, cause‑and‑effect matrices, and network topologies. Oversee system integration efforts across multiple teams, vendors, and stakeholders. Serve as a technical escalation point for complex automation, networking, and instrumentation issues. Manage and support lifecycle modernization, migration, and large‑scale capital projects. Conduct risk assessments, failure‑mode analyses, and system reliability studies. Champion OT cybersecurity initiatives—segmentation, hardening, patch plans, secure communications, and policy alignment. Mentor junior and mid‑level engineers; lead design reviews and training sessions. Ensure rigorous documentation, testing, commissioning, and change control processes. Support cross‑functional strategy around automation standards, digital transformation, and operational performance improvements. Support OT cybersecurity with best practices in control system design and deployment. Perform system upgrades, migrations, and expansions on legacy and current Ovation platforms. Produce and maintain system documentation, drawings, network diagrams, and test plans. Collaborate with cross‑functional teams to define system requirements and ensure operational readiness. Provide on‑site or remote commissioning and technical support as needed. Lead or support capital projects involving automation enhancements or modernization. Support control optimization, tuning, and modernization initiatives. Implement and support control strategies for water and wastewater treatment and conveyance, covering pumping, filtration, chemical feed, disinfection, solids handling, and water distribution systems. Have knowledge of historians, databases, and industrial data integrations. Core Competencies Strategic systems thinker with strong technical judgment Leadership and mentorship abilities Strong communication with technical and non‑technical stakeholders Advanced troubleshooting and analytical skills Project planning, sequencing, and risk management Commitment to safety, reliability, and operational excellence Certifications (Preferred) Emerson Ovation training or certifications. Experience and/or certification with OT cybersecurity principles or segmented architectures. Professional certifications (e.g., ISA CAP, CCST, or related credentials). Education and Experience Bachelor’s degree in Electrical/Controls/Computer Engineering or related field. 8+ years of progressive experience with industrial control systems engineering. Expert‑level proficiency with major DCS/PLC/SCADA platforms (Emerson, Allen‑Bradley, Siemens, Schneider, or similar). Strong mastery of industrial protocols (EtherNet/IP, ProfiNET, Modbus TCP/RTU, OPC UA, MQTT, DNP3). Proven experience leading multi‑site automation projects or modernization programs. Deep knowledge of industrial networking (Layer 2/3, VLANs, security zones/conduits). Experience with system cybersecurity design (ISA/IEC 62443, NIST standards). Strong understanding of instrumentation, P&IDs, electrical schematics, and system architecture diagrams. Ability to support on‑site commissioning, testing, or plant operations as needed. Occasional travel to project sites, customer locations, or remote facilities. Comfortable working in operational and industrial environments. Pay Range Locations in WA, DC & various CA, MA areas – $126,400.00 to $189,600.00 annually. Pay Transparency In compliance with pay transparency laws, pay ranges are provided for positions in locations where required. The final agreed compensation is based on individual education, qualifications, experience, and work location. Certain roles are bonus‑eligible. Compensation for part‑time roles is pro‑rated. Benefits Summary Regular full‑time and part‑time employees (≥20 hrs/week) have access to medical, dental, and vision plans, a wellness program, health saving accounts, flexible spending accounts, 401(k), employee stock purchase program, life and accidental death & dismemberment (AD&D) insurance, short‑term/long‑term disability plans, emergency travel benefits, tuition reimbursement, professional membership fee coverage, paid family leave, 10 paid holidays per year, and vacation accrual of 10–20 days plus paid sick leave. Temporary/casual employees have access to 401(k), employee stock purchase program, and paid leave per local law. Benefits for union positions may differ according to collective bargaining agreements. Primary Location United States | VA | Richmond Organization: 2243 Water‑US Delivery‑Richmond VA Employee Status: Regular Schedule: Full time Travel: Yes EEO Statement Stantec provides equal employment opportunities to all qualified employees and applicants for future and current employment and prohibits discrimination on the grounds of race, colour, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, genetic information, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. Stantec is in compliance with all applicable laws and ensures equitable opportunities in all aspects of employment. If reasonable adjustments are required during the recruitment process, please inform the Talent Acquisition team. #J-18808-Ljbffr Stantec Consulting International Ltd.