We are seeking an experienced Senior Automation & Controls Engineer to join a growing engineering team supporting major projects across the food, beverage, consumer products, pharmaceutical, life sciences, aerospace, and industrial sectors. This role is ideal for a highly motivated professional with strong expertise in automation and controls engineering who thrives in leading teams and delivering complex projects from design through to startup. You will be responsible for overseeing the complete lifecycle of automation and controls systems on Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) projects. This includes front-end design, detailed design, construction, commissioning, and startup phases. The successful candidate will serve as a technical leader, mentor junior engineers, and act as a trusted advisor for clients, ensuring that projects are executed to the highest standards of safety, quality, and efficiency. This position offers an excellent career opportunity for an individual who enjoys combining technical leadership with client-facing responsibilities, and who is looking to work on challenging projects with opportunities for long-term growth and leadership.
Position Type: Full Time
Location: Kansas City, MO, US
Relocation Assistance: Yes
Travel: ~25%
Sponsorship: Not available
Key Responsibilities
- Lead automation and controls design scope on projects from concept to commissioning.
- Manage teams of engineers, specialists, and designers, delegating tasks and reviewing deliverables.
- Develop and oversee PLC and HMI programming, Batch, MES, server and virtualization design deliverables.
- Prepare controls design documents including I/O lists, narratives, device lists, panel and hardware designs, and installation details.
- Lead specification, design, and procurement of control panels and equipment; manage vendors and conduct Factory Acceptance Tests (FATs).
- Oversee electrical design deliverables for equipment rated 480V and below.
- Review P&IDs with process engineers and define appropriate control scopes.
- Support construction teams with installation contracts, field inspections, and commissioning/startup activities.
- Ensure compliance with industry codes, standards, and safety requirements (NFPA, ISA, IEC, IEEE, etc.).
- Develop project budgets, estimates, and schedules; support proposal and business development activities.
- Build and maintain strong client relationships, frequently attending client meetings and events.
- Mentor and provide technical direction to junior team members.
- Contribute to business strategies and long-term growth initiatives.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Controls, Electrical, Mechanical, or Chemical Engineering from an ABET-accredited program.
- Minimum 7 years of relevant electrical engineering and automation & controls experience.
- Master’s degree with 6 years’ experience may be considered.
- Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam completed.
- EPC project experience strongly preferred.
- Professional Engineer (PE) license preferred.
- Strong expertise in control system design (PLC, SCADA, DCS, SIS, BMS).
- Proficiency with Rockwell and Siemens platforms; experience with GE, Modicon, Opto22, Mitsubishi, and Triconex is a plus.
- Knowledge of MES systems (Ignition, PTC ThingWorx, TrakSYS) and machine/process safety standards (ISO13849, IEC 61511) is a plus.
- Familiarity with engineering tools such as IAB, BatchSIM, PlantSIM, SIL Solver, SISTEMA.
- Excellent communication, problem-solving, and leadership skills.
- Ability to travel up to 25%.
- Must be eligible for a Transportation Worker Identification Card (TWIC).
Benefits
- 401(k) retirement plan
- Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP)
- Paid Time Off (PTO)
- Paid Holidays
- Paid Parental Leave
- Bonus Program
- Fertility Coverage
- Comprehensive Medical, Dental & Vision Insurance
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