Automation Engineer

Southern Staffing Group
  • Phoenix, Arizona
    30+ days ago

    Job Description

    Overview

    Our client is a leading provider of engineered power distribution and modular infrastructure solutions supporting hyperscale data centers, utilities, industrial facilities, renewable energy projects, and other mission-critical environments throughout North America.

    As demand for modular power infrastructure continues to accelerate, the organization is expanding its engineering team and seeking an experienced Automation Engineer to support the development, deployment, and commissioning of advanced control systems used within power distribution applications.

    This position is ideal for an engineer who enjoys working across the full project lifecycle, from design and programming through testing, commissioning, and customer deployment. The successful candidate will serve as a technical leader within the controls organization while helping deliver innovative solutions for some of the most demanding power environments in the industry.


    Why This Opportunity

    Join a rapidly growing organization that has become a trusted partner for critical power and modular infrastructure projects across North America.

    The company continues to invest heavily in solutions supporting hyperscale data centers, AI infrastructure, utility modernization, and mission-critical facilities. Engineers within this group have the opportunity to work on highly visible projects that move quickly from concept to deployment while collaborating closely with electrical engineering, manufacturing, project management, and field services teams.

    This role offers meaningful technical ownership, direct customer interaction, and the opportunity to mentor developing engineers while helping shape the future of the company's automation platform.

    With a strong project backlog, significant market demand, and continued expansion, this is an excellent opportunity for an experienced controls professional looking to make a lasting impact.


    Key Responsibilities

    Controls System Design & Development

    • Design, develop, and deploy PLC and HMI solutions supporting power distribution systems and modular electrical infrastructure
    • Develop control strategies, functional specifications, and programming standards for new and existing products
    • Configure automation platforms to support monitoring, control, alarming, and system integration requirements
    • Collaborate with electrical engineering teams to ensure seamless integration between controls and power distribution equipment

    Testing, Validation & Commissioning

    • Support factory acceptance testing (FAT), system validation, and commissioning activities
    • Troubleshoot control system issues and implement corrective actions during testing and startup
    • Assist with field commissioning efforts and support customer deployments
    • Travel to project sites as needed to support startup, validation, and troubleshooting activities

    Technical Leadership

    • Serve as a technical resource and mentor for junior engineers and controls team members
    • Support internal engineering standards, best practices, and continuous improvement initiatives
    • Provide technical guidance during project execution and design reviews
    • Assist in evaluating emerging technologies and automation strategies

    Customer & Project Support

    • Interface directly with customers to understand technical requirements and project objectives
    • Support project teams throughout design, manufacturing, testing, and deployment phases
    • Coordinate with suppliers and internal stakeholders on component selection and system implementation
    • Participate in project meetings and provide technical updates throughout execution


    Required Qualifications

    • Minimum 10 years of experience in automation, controls engineering, or a related technical discipline
    • Minimum 3 years of hands-on field support experience for automated systems
    • Minimum 2 years of Codesys programming experience
    • Experience designing and deploying PLC and HMI systems
    • Strong troubleshooting and diagnostic skills within industrial or mission-critical environments
    • Ability to support commissioning, startup, and field validation activities
    • Strong communication skills with the ability to engage both customers and internal stakeholders
    • Ability to travel approximately 20% as project needs require


    Preferred Qualifications

    • Experience supporting power distribution systems, switchgear, E-Houses, modular power solutions, or critical power infrastructure
    • Background in data centers, renewable energy, utility power systems, or mission-critical facilities
    • Experience integrating PLCs, HMIs, protective devices, metering systems, and monitoring platforms
    • Familiarity with SCADA systems and communications protocols commonly used within power applications
    • Experience supporting factory acceptance testing, commissioning, and startup activities
    • Previous experience serving as a technical lead or mentor within an engineering organization


    Ideal Backgrounds

    Candidates currently working as:

    • Automation Engineer
    • Controls Engineer
    • PLC Engineer
    • Controls Systems Engineer
    • Power Systems Controls Engineer
    • SCADA Engineer
    • Integration Engineer
    • Commissioning Engineer

    within organizations supporting data centers, switchgear manufacturing, packaged substations, E-Houses, power distribution equipment, utility infrastructure, renewable energy, critical facilities, or modular power solutions are strongly encouraged to apply.

     

    Not the Ideal Fit

    Candidates whose experience is primarily focused on telecom systems, motor controls, drives, motion control, robotics, or power conversion equipment without significant exposure to power distribution applications may not align with the technical requirements of this position.


    Compensation & Benefits

    • Base salary of $109,000 - $127,300
    • Annual bonus opportunity based on company performance
    • Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage
    • 401(k) with company match
    • Paid time off and company holidays
    • Career advancement opportunities within a growing engineering organization
    • Exposure to large-scale data center, utility, renewable energy, and critical infrastructure projects
    • Opportunity to work alongside industry experts supporting next-generation power solutions


    Numbers & Facts

    LocationPhoenix, Arizona

    Skills

    • Acceptance Testingunmatched
    • Alternative Energyunmatched
    • Artificial Intelligence (AI)unmatched
    • Automationunmatched
    • Automation Engineeringunmatched
    • Best Practicesunmatched
    • Commission Controlsunmatched
    • Commissioningunmatched
    • Commissioning - Engineeringunmatched
    • Communication Skillsunmatched
    • Communications Protocolsunmatched
    • Compensation and Benefitsunmatched
    • Component Selectionunmatched
    • Continuous Improvementunmatched
    • Control Engineeringunmatched
    • Control Systemsunmatched
    • Corrective Actionunmatched
    • Customer Relationsunmatched
    • Customer Support/Serviceunmatched
    • Distribution Controlunmatched
    • Electrical Engineeringunmatched
    • Electricityunmatched
    • Emerging Technologyunmatched
    • Energy & Utilitiesunmatched
    • Facilities Engineeringunmatched
    • Functional Programming Languagesunmatched
    • Human Machine Interface (HMI)unmatched
    • Identify Issuesunmatched
    • Manufacturingunmatched
    • Manufacturing Managementunmatched
    • Mentoringunmatched
    • Network Operations Centerunmatched
    • On Site Supportunmatched
    • Power Engineeringunmatched
    • Power Generationunmatched
    • Programmable Logic Controller (PLC)unmatched
    • Project Designunmatched
    • Project Executionunmatched
    • Project Lifecycleunmatched
    • Project/Program Managementunmatched
    • Startupunmatched
    • Strategic Planningunmatched
    • Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA)unmatched
    • Switchgearunmatched
    • System Integration (SI)unmatched
    • System Validationunmatched
    • Systems Administration/Managementunmatched
    • Systems Engineeringunmatched
    • Technical Leadershipunmatched
    • Technical Strategyunmatched
    • Testingunmatched
    • Validation Testingunmatched
    • Willing to Travelunmatched

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