Controls Engineer III

Job Description

About the Role

Pinnacle Partners is recruiting for a Controls Engineer III in Indianapolis, IN. This is a hands-on controls engineering position focused on PLC, HMI, and SCADA programming, controls system integration, project design, commissioning, and field troubleshooting. The ideal candidate will have strong Allen-Bradley/Rockwell programming experience, hands-on SCADA development experience with Ignition or a similar platform, and the ability to independently take projects from programming and design through testing, startup, and commissioning.

Key Responsibilities:

• Design and develop PLC software for new construction and controls projects.
• Program Allen-Bradley/Rockwell PLC systems using RSLogix and Studio 5000.
• Develop HMI applications using Rockwell FactoryTalk View.
• Design and develop SCADA systems using Ignition and other applicable platforms.
• Perform front-end SCADA development, including scripting, user logins, security protocols, network information, MAC/IP address tracking, and related functionality.
• Program PLC, HMI, and SCADA systems from the ground up rather than simply modifying existing programs.
• Assist with project design documentation, including P&IDs, one-line diagrams, controls panel schematics, and layout designs.
• Read and interpret instrumentation documentation, electrical drawings, one-line diagrams, and controls documentation.
• Support controls system integration throughout the project lifecycle.
• Perform Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT), Site Acceptance Testing (SAT), and integration testing.
• Commission controls systems and equipment at customer sites.
• Provide startup support and troubleshoot PLC, HMI, SCADA, instrumentation, and controls systems in the field.
• Provide maintenance and operator training following system implementation.
• Troubleshoot instrumentation and control systems and identify issues in both hardware and software.
• Travel to customer sites for commissioning, startup, troubleshooting, and project support.
• Work directly with customers, contractors, engineers, and other project stakeholders.
• Support multiple projects simultaneously while maintaining project schedules and technical requirements.
• Work both independently and collaboratively within a team of controls engineers and integrators.
• Use hand and power tools as needed while performing field work.
• Work in field environments that may require climbing ladders and working at heights up to approximately 15 feet.
• Provide occasional after-hours service support when needed.
• Balance hands-on field responsibilities with programming, design, documentation, and other behind-the-desk engineering activities.
• Take ownership of controls projects from programming and integration through commissioning and final project completion.
• Support the continued growth and development of the company's controls and integration capabilities.
• Work closely with project managers and other engineering disciplines to deliver complete controls solutions.
• Develop technical expertise that can lead to increased project responsibility and future advancement into project management.

Requirements:

• Associate degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related technical field.
• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related field strongly preferred.
• 5+ years of experience in controls engineering, controls programming, automation, systems integration, or a related field.
• Strong hands-on PLC programming experience with Allen-Bradley/Rockwell platforms.
• Experience programming PLCs from scratch using RSLogix and/or Studio 5000.
• Experience developing HMI applications using Rockwell FactoryTalk View.
• Strong hands-on SCADA development experience.
• Experience with Ignition or another SCADA platform such as VT SCADA, GE iFIX, FactoryTalk, or Wonderware.
• Demonstrated ability to program and develop SCADA systems rather than simply interact with or monitor existing systems.
• Experience with SCADA scripting, security, user management, networking, or similar front-end functionality.
• Ability to read and understand one-line diagrams, P&IDs, instrumentation documentation, HMI/PLC documentation, and controls designs.
• Understanding of instrumentation systems from a controls and configuration perspective.
• Experience with controls system integration, startup, commissioning, FAT, SAT, or similar project activities.
• Ability to troubleshoot PLC, HMI, SCADA, instrumentation, and control systems in the field.
• Ability to work independently and manage responsibilities across programming, integration, design, and commissioning.
• Ability to travel approximately 20% for customer and project support.
• Ability to work in field environments, including climbing ladders, working at heights up to approximately 15 feet, and using hand/power tools as needed.
• Strong communication skills and ability to work directly with customers and project teams.
• Ability to work effectively in a consulting engineering and systems integration environment.
• Ability to work onsite in the Indianapolis area three days per week with two remote days.

Preferred:

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or a related engineering discipline.
• FE/EIT certification or current Professional Engineer (PE) license in good standing.
• Experience working for a controls integrator or panel shop.
• Experience with construction processes and bid packages.
• Strong understanding of instrumentation hardware and configuration.
• Experience with AutoCAD, AutoCAD LT, or AutoCAD Electrical.
• Water/wastewater controls experience.
• Experience with controls programming within water, wastewater, municipal, industrial, or utility environments.
• Experience taking controls projects from initial programming through commissioning and startup.
• Broad experience across PLC, HMI, SCADA, instrumentation, and controls integration.
• Experience independently handling multiple portions of a controls project rather than specializing in only PLC, HMI, or SCADA programming.
• Strong SCADA programming and scripting experience.
• Experience with Ignition SCADA.
• Experience with system integration and customer-facing commissioning.
• Previous experience working in an engineering consulting environment.
• Project management experience or interest in progressing into a Project Manager role.

Benefits Overview:

• $90K-$120K base salary depending on experience, education, and industry background.
• 1.5x overtime pay for hours worked over 40 per week.
• Annual bonus opportunity.
• Employee ownership opportunity through the company's employee-owned structure.
• Hybrid schedule with three days in the office and two days remote.
• Summer hours from May through October, including nine-hour days Monday through Thursday and a four-hour Friday.
• Approximately 20%-30% travel, primarily day trips.
• Travel generally kept within approximately 1.5 hours of the Indianapolis office.
• Company fleet vehicles available for business travel, with mileage reimbursement available when using a personal vehicle.
• $35/day per diem when qualifying travel requires a 10-hour workday.
• Opportunity to work on complex controls and automation projects from programming through commissioning.
• Hands-on exposure to PLC, HMI, SCADA, instrumentation, integration, startup, and troubleshooting.
• Opportunity to work with a collaborative team of controls engineers and integrators.
• Opportunity to advance into a Project Manager role and take on increased technical and project responsibility.
• Opportunity to work on long-term projects supporting municipal, industrial, water, and wastewater infrastructure.
• Established engineering organization with continued growth throughout Indiana and Ohio.
• Opportunity to work on projects without the extensive overnight travel often associated with controls integration roles.

Explore More Engineering Opportunities

This role falls within our Engineering/Manufacturing division , where we specialize in placing professionals in areas such as:

• Mechanical/Electrical Engineering
• Manufacturing/Process Engineering
• Controls Engineering
• Project Engineering
• Technical Sales
• Operations / Plant Engineering

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