American Water · 19 hours ago
Automation & Controls (SCADA) Engineer
St Joseph, MO
Full-time
Onsite
Senior Level
5+ years expAmerican Water is responsible for implementing, maintaining, and supporting automation and process control infrastructure. The Automation & Controls Engineer will collaborate with design engineers and operations personnel to manage projects and ensure compliance with process control systems, while also providing technical support and guidance to staff members.
ConsumerWaste ManagementWater
Responsibilities
Responsible for implementing, maintaining and supporting the automation & process control infrastructure
Provide expert assistance and collaborate in creating engineering plans, designs, monitoring, build and commissioning of automation & process control systems
Understand and apply new technological systems and multiple vendor products to develop and support innovative system solutions that match operational and business requirements
Assist in the development of standards, practices and policies related to the installation, maintenance and operations of automation & process control systems
Develop, deploy and maintain standard and custom programming and configuration code for the automation & process control systems
Provide second level support for maintaining the automation & process control infrastructure, which includes on call as well as on site when required
Manage automation & process control system projects as required
Perform quality assurance checks of automation & process control systems as required
Work collaboratively with design engineers, operations personnel, and other internal staff on the design, review, information gathering, inspection, and commissioning / start-up of projects that include process control equipment or systems
Ability to execute projects from conception to start-up within budget and project schedule
Develop programming and configuration code for process control systems, make changes to existing programs, review work performed by outside contractors, participate in factory witness testing, and coordinate control system issues between project engineering, the instrumentation contractor, and American Water management
Review control logic strategies and implement programming changes to optimize control strategies for treatment and pumping processes and automate where appropriate
Perform or coordinate maintenance activities on process control equipment or systems
Perform upgrades, add new facilities, and provide replacement of hardware and software
Troubleshoot and resolve control system issues
Investigate new technological developments and processes. Research, recommend, and implement systems to enhance Systems functionality and reliability
Advise, instruct, and/or assist operating company personnel on proper operation and maintenance of Process Control equipment or Systems. Provide Technical instruction as required
Work with operations personnel to implement appropriate policies, standards, practices, and guidelines for all phases of Process Control implementation and maintenance
Work with members of operating company to enforce compliance with mandatory Process Control policies and procedures
Make recommendations to change standards and methods to improve processes and results
Provide supervision and/or support for Controls Engineer or Controls Specialist staff members as required
Ensure compliance with the Change Management process
Enforce process control system life cycle practices
Develop and maintain relationship with Process Control vendors to keep current with changes in operational control systems
Review vendor specifications, report findings and make recommendations
Qualification
Required
Responsible for implementing, maintaining and supporting the automation & process control infrastructure
Provide expert assistance and collaborate in creating engineering plans, designs, monitoring, build and commissioning of automation & process control systems
Understand and apply new technological systems and multiple vendor products to develop and support innovative system solutions that match operational and business requirements
Assist in the development of standards, practices and policies related to the installation, maintenance and operations of automation & process control systems
Develop, deploy and maintain standard and custom programming and configuration code for the automation & process control systems
Provide second level support for maintaining the automation & process control infrastructure, which includes on call as well as on site when required
Manage automation & process control system projects as required
Perform quality assurance checks of automation & process control systems as required
Manage direct reports as required
Work collaboratively with design engineers, operations personnel, and other internal staff on the design, review, information gathering, inspection, and commissioning / start-up of projects that include process control equipment or systems
Ability to execute projects from conception to start-up within budget and project schedule
Develop programming and configuration code for process control systems, make changes to existing programs, review work performed by outside contractors, participate in factory witness testing, and coordinate control system issues between project engineering, the instrumentation contractor, and American Water management
Review control logic strategies and implement programming changes to optimize control strategies for treatment and pumping processes and automate where appropriate
Perform or coordinate maintenance activities on process control equipment or systems
Perform upgrades, add new facilities, and provide replacement of hardware and software
Troubleshoot and resolve control system issues
Investigate new technological developments and processes. Research, recommend, and implement systems to enhance Systems functionality and reliability
Advise, instruct, and/or assist operating company personnel on proper operation and maintenance of Process Control equipment or Systems. Provide Technical instruction as required
Work with operations personnel to implement appropriate policies, standards, practices, and guidelines for all phases of Process Control implementation and maintenance
Work with members of operating company to enforce compliance with mandatory Process Control policies and procedures
Make recommendations to change standards and methods to improve processes and results
Provide supervision and/or support for Controls Engineer or Controls Specialist staff members as required
Ensure compliance with the Change Management process
Enforce process control system life cycle practices
Develop and maintain relationship with Process Control vendors to keep current with changes in operational control systems
Review vendor specifications, report findings and make recommendations
Strong knowledge of P&IDs, control elementary drawings, ISA instrument specifications, and loop diagrams
Working knowledge of industrial control system platforms including PLC / DCS / HMI programming / design / configuration
Knowledge of process computers and data collection methods. Understanding of PC Networking technology, telemetry methods and historical archiving databases
Strong knowledge of project management and application development methodologies and tools
Knowledge of business applications, Microsoft Office products and productivity tools (e.g. MS Word, MS Project, Excel, PowerPoint, Lotus Notes)
Demonstrative knowledge of engineering concepts and their application; water/wastewater equipment and systems operations preferred
Working knowledge of electrical, mechanical, and instrumentation process control equipment and systems
Demonstrated ability to configure programmable process controllers PLCs / RTUs (Allen – Bradley, Modicon, Rockwell Automation, Siemens, Emerson)
Demonstrated ability to configure HMI with Iconics, Intellution, or Wonderware
Ability to develop Process Control Functional descriptions
Demonstrated ability to solve complex process control problems related to water / wastewater systems
Proficient with identifying, planning, scheduling, conducting, and coordinating detailed phases of Capital Projects
Proficient with data communications systems, protocols, wired and wireless network systems, and radio telemetry
Strong organizational and time management skills with attention to detail
Excellent interpersonal, people and people management skills (e.g. listening, coaching, facilitating, tact/diplomacy, employee relations, development, motivation, team building)
Ability to prioritize and manage multiple projects simultaneously and adapt to changes in priority efficiently
Excellent client relations skills and customer service orientation
Excellent planning, time management and organization skills
Good verbal and written communications skills, including presentation expertise and the ability to communicate complex issues clearly
Rapidly assesses options and likely consequences when under time pressure to make decisions or solve problems
Minimum five (5) years of experience in the maintenance, troubleshooting, calibration, repair and installation of Process Control Systems (SCADA and DCS), configuration and programming of PLCs / RTUs (Allen – Bradley, Modicon, Rockwell Automation, Siemens, Emerson) and HMIs (Iconics, Intellution, Wonderware), control and instrument loops
Experience with data communications systems, protocols, wired and wireless network systems, and radio telemetry
Experience with OPC, Visual Basic, and SQL applications
Four year (4) degree or equivalent
Significant additional experience and/or certifications or other education and training may be substituted for formal education
Travel, including overnight, as required
Operating Facilities – Multi District/State Coverage Area. Requires 'on-call' out of hours support during evenings, nights, holidays and weekends
Company
American Water
American Water is a waste water utility company.
5001-10000 employees
H1B Sponsorship
American Water has a track record of offering H1B sponsorships. Please note that this does not
guarantee sponsorship for this specific role. Below presents additional info for your
reference. (Data Powered by US Department of Labor)
Distribution of Different Job Fields Receiving Sponsorship
Represents job field similar to this job
Trends of Total Sponsorships
2025 (12)
2024 (8)
2023 (14)
2022 (14)
2021 (15)
2020 (20)
Funding
Current Stage
Public CompanyTotal Funding
$900.57MKey Investors
Water Research Foundation
2024-02-21Grant· $0.57M
2023-06-27Post Ipo Debt· $900M
2017-11-29Post Ipo Equity
Leadership Team
John Griffith
President and Chief Executive Officer
Susan N. Story
President & Chief Executive Officer
Recent News
Company data provided by crunchbase