Job Description

Senior Automation & Controls Engineer

�� Kansas City, MO | �� Full-Time | ✈ ~25–30% Travel

About the Role

We are seeking a Senior Automation & Controls Engineer to lead and execute automation projects across food, beverage, consumer products, and life sciences/pharmaceutical facilities. This is a hands-on leadership role that combines technical expertise, project execution, and client interaction. You’ll take ownership of automation design and delivery on Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) projects, guiding your team from early design through installation, commissioning, and startup.

This position offers the opportunity to work on high-impact projects across multiple industries while mentoring technical staff and building strong client relationships.

What You’ll Do

• Lead EPC Automation Projects – Own the automation scope across all project phases: front-end design, detailed engineering, procurement, construction, and startup.
• Design & Program Control Systems – Develop PLC and HMI software (Rockwell/Allen-Bradley, Siemens) and ensure seamless integration with SCADA and MES platforms.
• Instrumentation & Controls Design – Specify and integrate sensors, valves, analyzers, and control panels; create I/O lists, device lists, and P&IDs.
• Commissioning & Startup – Support onsite installation, testing, FATs, and startup (~25–30% travel).
• Team Leadership – Mentor and guide engineers/designers, review deliverables, and coordinate with multidisciplinary project teams.
• Client Engagement – Act as a trusted technical partner, build lasting relationships, and contribute to business development.

Top 5 Skills We’re Looking For

1. PLC & HMI Programming – Deep experience with Rockwell/Allen-Bradley and/or Siemens platforms.
2. EPC Project Leadership – Proven ability to lead automation scope on full lifecycle engineering projects.
3. Industry Expertise – Hands-on experience in food, beverage, consumer products, and/or life sciences/pharma projects.
4. Instrumentation & Controls Design – Strong background with process instrumentation, control panels, I/O lists, and P&IDs.
5. Leadership & Client-Facing Skills – Able to lead technical teams, mentor junior staff, and manage client/vendor relationships with confidence.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical, Controls, Mechanical, or Chemical Engineering (Master’s preferred).
• 8–16 years of automation/controls engineering experience.
• Professional Engineer (PE) license preferred.
• Strong knowledge of industry standards (NFPA, ISA, IEC, IEEE, UL508A).
• Ability to travel up to 25–30%.
• TWIC card (or ability to obtain).

Why Join

• Lead high-visibility projects across multiple industries.
• Balance of technical leadership + hands-on field work.
• Strong career growth path with mentorship and business development opportunities.
• Be part of a collaborative Kansas City team of automation professionals.