Senior Engineer Automation & Controls (SCADA)
American Water - Davenport, IA
posted 5 months ago
About the position
This position is responsible for implementing, maintaining, and supporting the automation and process control infrastructure (SCADA) at American Water. The role involves providing expert assistance and collaborating in creating engineering plans, designs, monitoring, building, and commissioning of automation and process control systems. The successful candidate will understand and apply new technological systems and multiple vendor products to develop and support innovative system solutions that align with operational and business requirements. Additionally, the position requires assisting in the development of standards, practices, and policies related to the installation, maintenance, and operations of automation and process control systems. The role also includes developing, deploying, and maintaining standard and custom programming and configuration code for the automation and process control systems. The individual will provide second-level support for maintaining the automation and process control infrastructure, which includes being on call as well as on-site when required. Managing automation and process control system projects as needed and performing quality assurance checks of automation and process control systems are also key responsibilities. The position requires collaboration 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. The candidate must be able to execute projects from conception to start-up within budget and project schedule, develop programming and configuration code for process control systems, and review control logic strategies to optimize control strategies for treatment and pumping processes. Support and administration tasks include performing or coordinating maintenance activities on process control equipment or systems, troubleshooting and resolving control system issues, and advising operating company personnel on proper operation and maintenance of process control equipment or systems. The role also involves ensuring compliance with the Change Management process and developing and maintaining relationships with process control vendors to stay current with changes in operational control systems.
Responsibilities
- Implement, maintain, and support the automation and process control infrastructure (SCADA).
- Collaborate in creating engineering plans, designs, monitoring, building, and commissioning of automation and process control systems.
- Develop, deploy, and maintain standard and custom programming and configuration code for automation and process control systems.
- Provide second-level support for maintaining the automation and process control infrastructure, including on-call and on-site support.
- Manage automation and process control system projects as required.
- Perform quality assurance checks of automation and process control systems as required.
- Work collaboratively with design engineers, operations personnel, and other internal staff on project design and commissioning.
- Execute projects from conception to start-up within budget and project schedule.
- Review control logic strategies and implement programming changes to optimize control strategies for treatment and pumping processes.
- Perform or coordinate maintenance activities on process control equipment or systems.
- Troubleshoot and resolve control system issues.
- Investigate new technological developments and processes.
- Advise and assist operating company personnel on proper operation and maintenance of process control equipment or systems.
- Ensure compliance with the Change Management process and enforce process control system life cycle practices.
Requirements
- Four year (4) degree or equivalent.
- Minimum five (5) years of experience in the maintenance, troubleshooting, calibration, repair, and installation of Process Control Systems (SCADA and DCS).
- Experience with configuration and programming of PLCs / RTUs (Allen - Bradley, Modicon, Rockwell Automation, Siemens, Emerson) and HMIs (Iconics, Intellution, Wonderware).
- 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, PC Networking technology, telemetry methods, and historical archiving databases.
- Demonstrated ability to configure programmable process controllers and HMI systems.
- Proficient with data communications systems, protocols, wired and wireless network systems, and radio telemetry.
Nice-to-haves
- Experience with OPC, Visual Basic, and SQL applications.
- Demonstrated ability to solve complex process control problems related to water/wastewater systems.
- Strong organizational and time management skills with attention to detail.
Benefits
- Competitive salary and health benefits package.
- Opportunities to develop, grow, and evolve your career.
- Focus on health & wellness, emotional & well-being, and savings for current & future goals.
