Senior Automation Controls Specialist

Senior Automation Controls Specialist Operations Team | Moses Lake, WA | Full time | Onsite Base salary $204, 000-$255, 000 annually, plus equity. Relocation package offered. Help shape the next generation of industrial energy RIM Recruitment Professionals is partnering with an innovative industrial technology company to recruit a Senior Automation Controls Specialist.

This is an opportunity to take ownership of plant automation, solve complex operating challenges, and help carry lessons from an operating facility into future plant development. You will join the onsite Operations and Maintenance team, providing hands-on Rockwell, PlantPAx, and FactoryTalk expertise across controls configuration, troubleshooting, system maintenance, and improvements.

Relocation to Moses Lake, Washington, is required for candidates who do not already live within commuting distance. A relocation package is available. The Moses Lake project is currently expected to run for approximately two years, with a subsequent assignment most likely in North Dakota or Texas. Candidates should be open to relocating again as project needs evolve; timing and final location remain subject to project plans.

Periodic travel to Berkeley, California, and potential future colocation with an engineering, procurement, and construction partner in Calgary may also be involved. As-needed after-hours support is required.

What you will do

• Lead hands-on automation and controls configuration, troubleshooting, system updates, maintenance, and documentation for an operating industrial facility.
• Support the Integrated Control and Safety System and maintain its intended safety concepts through system and technology changes.
• Diagnose differences between expected and actual control responses and implement corrective configuration changes.
• Integrate vendor package controls and third-party communications with the plant control system.
• Serve as the plant OT interface to IT, coordinating secure networking, access, patching, remote access, asset inventories, and cybersecurity practices that protect production and safety.
• Work with Rockwell, automation contractors, and equipment suppliers to resolve issues and evaluate technology improvements.
• Collaborate with Operations, Engineering, Construction, Project Management, Finance, Legal, and HSE, and contribute operating lessons to future facilities.

What you bring

• At least eight years of process automation experience and a related degree or secondary education with extensive relevant field experience.
• Strong hands-on Rockwell/Allen-Bradley, PlantPAx, and FactoryTalk PLC/HMI experience.
• Substantial operating-plant experience, including troubleshooting, configuration changes, and ongoing controls support; some project execution experience.
• Experience integrating vendor control systems and working with industrial communication protocols and OT networks.
• Working knowledge of industrial Ethernet, VLANs, firewalls, network segmentation, industrial DMZ concepts, role-based access, MFA, secure remote access, asset inventories, and coordination of patching and incident response with IT.
• Ability to collaborate across disciplines and support onsite operating demands.
• Oil and gas, energy, chemical processing, or heavy industrial experience is preferred.
• EPC experience, other control systems, and familiarity with field instrumentation and final control elements are assets.

Compensation and benefits

• Annual base salary of $204, 000-$255, 000, with actual compensation based on experience, skills, and role alignment.
• Equity compensation and a relocation package are offered.
• Benefits include medical, dental, and vision coverage, paid sick time, and vacation.

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