Senior Automation Engineer

Location: San Jose, CA

Compensation: $155,000 – $195,000 base salary (depending on experience)

Employment Type: Full-Time

Work Environment: On-site

About the Opportunity

A large, publicly traded organization operating in high-performing industrial engineering and construction environments is seeking a Senior Automation Engineer to join its San Jose-based team.

This senior-level role focuses on leading the technical design and implementation of industrial automation systems across greenfield and retrofit projects. The position partners directly with customers, mentors junior engineers, and supports complex automation initiatives in regulated and mission-critical environments.

Position Overview

The Senior Automation Engineer serves as a technical lead for automation and controls scopes, owning design, implementation, testing, and commissioning activities. This role requires deep hands-on expertise across PLC, DCS, HMI/SCADA platforms, and industrial networking, along with strong customer-facing and leadership skills.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead automation and controls design and implementation for greenfield and retrofit projects
• Serve as the primary technical interface for customers on automation and controls scopes
• Develop functional design specifications (FDS) and sequences of operation
• Program PLC and DCS platforms including Rockwell, Siemens, DeltaV, ABB, and Foxboro
• Design and develop HMI/SCADA systems using platforms such as Ignition, FactoryTalk, Wonderware, iFIX/Cimplicity, and Siemens
• Define control system architecture, panel requirements, and schematics
• Integrate industrial networks, VFDs, and protocols such as Modbus and BACnet
• Oversee testing, validation, commissioning, and system startup activities
• Manage project schedules, budgets, documentation, and deliverables
• Integrate historians and data acquisition systems such as OSI PI and other industrial historians
• Mentor and support junior automation engineers

Required Experience & Skills

• 7+ years of industrial automation and controls experience
• Strong PLC and DCS programming experience across major platforms
• Hands-on HMI/SCADA development experience
• Experience developing FDS and sequences of operation
• Knowledge of industrial networking, VFDs, and communication protocols
• Ability to lead projects and interface directly with customers
• Strong documentation, communication, and mentoring skills

Project & Company Environment

• Publicly traded organization with engineering, construction, and mechanical contracting operations
• 1,100+ employees across multiple California offices
• Projects span biopharma, healthcare, data centers, industrial, education, and commercial sectors
• Collaborative culture with emphasis on quality delivery and long-term employee development

Compensation & Benefits

• Base salary range: $155,000 – $195,000
• 401(k) retirement plan with dollar-for-dollar company match up to 4% and immediate vesting
• Medical, dental, vision, and prescription drug coverage
• Employer-provided life insurance
• Flexible vacation policy plus company holidays
• Business travel expenses reimbursed per company policy

Apply Now

If you are a senior automation professional looking to lead complex industrial projects, work directly with customers, and mentor engineering teams within a stable, enterprise-level organization, this opportunity offers strong compensation and long-term career growth.