Controls & Automation Engineer V

CompanyHargrove and Associates
LocationBirmingham, AL
CategorySoftware Engineering
Seniority-
Workplace-
Posted2026-09-04
Viaworkday

Description

What You'll Be Doing

Job Summary: Generally responsible for performing all aspects for complete design of Controls & Automation engineering assignments. This position can operate as the technical lead or team member on any given project. This position will commonly operate as the technical lead on a project. Must be a strong technical programmer as well as be able to mentor younger engineers and specialists. This work will be performed under general supervision.

Primary responsibilities include but are not limited to:

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Familiarity with and utilize department standards and policies.

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Familiarity with project scope, specifications, and design criteria upon assignment to a project task team.

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Recognizing and communicating scope and design changes promptly.

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Providing on-site assistance during startup.

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Providing technical guidance to less experienced engineering personnel in the department.

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Coordinating work activities with other staff members and C&A Office Leaders.

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Producing estimate level automation system architecture designs and bill of material generation suitable for the level of the estimate being performed on a project.

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Producing control system installation specifications.

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Developing conceptual layouts and cost studies as necessary to determine the most simple, efficient approach to solving engineering tasks at hand.

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Producing estimate level preliminary designs and equipment lists suitable for the level of the estimate being performed on a project.

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Designing control systems with an overall emphasis on ease of maintenance and completed product meeting the expectations of the client.

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Consulting with design leaders from other disciplines to ensure the smooth flow of vital information necessary for the scheduled completion of the project.

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Advising the senior engineer concerning design or scope changes which have been identified.

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Reviewing and checking vendor drawings and other discipline drawings for Controls & Automation input.

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Reviewing fabrication drawings and other construction submittals for conformance to engineering drawings and specifications.

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Performing fieldwork necessary to gather field data and retrieve existing control system configuration.

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Applying knowledge of the discipline specific methods, practices, and techniques required to engineer, design, and construct process and manufacturing projects.

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Applying advanced engineering techniques and analysis to complex designs.

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Estimating and scheduling professional service hours and assess the progress and quality of control system and HMI programming.

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Understanding of the skills and experience required to perform engineering and design functions.

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Developing small work sharing packages for interoffice execution support.

This position offers a highly competitive compensation package, including paid time off, health insurance benefits, and matching retirement contributions.

Ideal Background

Education: Bachelor or Master of Science degree in Chemical, Electrical, or Computer Engineering from an accredited university is required.

Registration: Professional Engineer (PE) registration is highly preferred.

Experience: This position requires a minimum 10 years of relevant industrial experience in controls and automation engineering

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

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Experience in the design, implementation, testing/FAT/SAT, deployment/installation, and startup/commissioning for automation projects.

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Ability to understand and implement the current version of ISA S88 programming standards.

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Ability to understand and implement the current version of IEC 61131 programming languages and standards.

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Ability to understand and implement the current version of OSHA 1910.119 Management of Change.

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Familiarity with specifications and installation details of equipment.

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Ability to create accurate controls hardware installation documents from the information found on vendor equipment drawings.

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Ability to develop equipment specifications for medium-sized projects involving PLC’s, HMI’s, DCS’s, SIS’s, plant information management systems (PIMS), manufacturing execution systems (MES), industrial networks, etc.

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Experience with three or more of the following systems (DCS, PLC, HMI, or SIS) OR Extensive knowledge of at least one of the following systems: - DCS - Honeywell TDC2000/TDC3000 - Honeywell Experion - Emerson DeltaV - Yokogawa Centum 3000 - Yokogawa Centum VP - ABB 800xA - Siemens PCS 7 - Foxboro - PLC - Allen Bradley Control Logix - Allen Bradley PLC 5 - Allen Bradley SLC 500 - Allen Bradley Micro Logix - Allen Bradley Compact Logix - Siemens S7-400 - Siemens S7-300 - Siemens S7-1200 - Siemens S7-1500 - Modicon PLC’s - GE PLC’s - HMI - Rockwell Automation FactoryTalk View SE - Rockwell Automation FactoryTalk View ME - Wonderware - GE iFix - SIS - Triconex - Yokogawa ProSafe - Honeywell FSC and Safety Manager - DeltaV SIS - Rockwell AAdvance - Allen Bradley GuardLogix - HIMA - Triplex - Quadlog

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Knowledge and understanding of schedule constraints and information requirements for the production of all project deliverables.

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Ability to develop control system installation specifications.

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Ability to accurately estimate completion of assigned tasks.

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Ability to develop a construction cost estimate, a detailed engineering schedule, and a man-hour budget for a small Controls & Automation project or an area for a larger project.

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Ability to understand and apply company engineering design standards.

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Ability to read and interpret PFD’s, P&ID’s, and instrument loop sheets.

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Knowledge and application of TCP/IP networking protocols, media (twisted pair, coaxial, fiber optic, wireless, etc.), and equipment, including managed switches and routers.

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Knowledge and application of instrument field busses including sizing, installation, and operation.

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Familiarity with asset management concepts and systems.

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Ability to troubleshoot I/O problems in the field using a multimeter.

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Ability to troubleshoot software problems in the field.

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Ability to troubleshoot networking problems in the field using common isolation techniques and more advanced techniques such as equipment logs, cable testers, network sniffers/packet analyzers, etc.

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Knowledge and application of at least one of the following in support of control system installation: - Microsoft Windows Client - Microsoft Server Operating Systems - UNIX - Linux - VMS

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Ability to install and configure control system vendor software on various platforms.

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Proficient in the use of Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook.

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Broad knowledge of industrial networking.

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Good communication skills, both verbal and written.

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Ability to lead a small team to deliver on commitments.

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Ability to deliver good presentations of Hargrove Controls & Automation services.

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Ability to accurately estimate completion of assigned tasks.

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Forecasting hours to complete professional services.

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Developing design criteria and scope of work.

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Excellent virtual team skills and cross divisional relationships.

Physical Requirements

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Ability to sit, stand, or walk for long periods of time.

Preferred Skills

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Experience with command line computer interfaces.

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Experience with Windows Domains.

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Experience with Windows Active Directory.

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Experience with creating, using, and deploying Virtual Machines.

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Experience with Network Security.

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Knowledge of Modbus protocols (Serial and TCP).

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Knowledge of Ethernet and LAN/WAN systems such as Cisco switches and routers.

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Working knowledge of CAD software, either AutoCAD or Microstation.

Hargrove Culture

We work to create an environment founded on trust, personal integrity, and a “team mentality” so that each person understands the value of their contributions both on a project and company-wide level. We know that each person on our team contributes to the success of our company by pairing expertise and pa