Automation Engineer

Job Title: Automation Engineer — Pilot-Scale Water Treatment SystemLocation

Cambridge, MA

Job Type

Full-Time / Permanent

About NONA Technologies

NONA Technologies develops next-generation water purification systems using MIT-invented Ion Concentration Polarization (ICP). Our technology delivers up to 25–60% lower energy consumption for brackish and industrial wastewater treatment and enables fully automated pilot and commercial water-reuse systems worldwide.

Position Overview

The Automation Engineer will design, integrate, and commission the control and automation architecture for NONA’s pilot-scale ICP systems. This role requires hands-on expertise with three-phase centrifugal pumps, industrial instrumentation, DC rectifiers, valve controls, and 208 VAC 3-phase electrical systems. Travel for pilot deployment and testing (5–10%) is expected.

Key Responsibilities1. System Automation & Controls Development

- Design and implement automation logic for pilot-scale water treatment systems.

- Program PLCs, HMIs, and control panels for multi-stage systems.

- Integrate and control 208 VAC 3-phase centrifugal pumps, including VFDs and interlocks.

- Develop automated sequences for flushing, startup, shutdown, polarity reversal, and cleaning.

2. Instrumentation Integration

- Integrate and calibrate conductivity sensors, flow transmitters, and level sensors.

- Configure pressure and temperature transmitters.

- Integrate high-voltage DC rectifiers for ICP stack operation.

- Control solenoid, pneumatic, and actuated valves.

3. Electrical & Control Panel Engineering

- Design schematics for 208 VAC 3-phase distribution and motor control.

- Select breakers, contactors, VFDs, relays, and 24 VDC components.

- Support fabrication and wiring of control panels.

4. P&ID, Documentation & Compliance

- Create and update P&IDs and electrical diagrams.

- Generate wiring diagrams, loop sheets, and I/O lists.

- Ensure compliance with UL, NFPA 70/79, and IEC standards.

5. Field Testing & Commissioning

- Install, debug, and validate automation systems at pilot sites.

- Troubleshoot pumps, sensors, actuators, and communication systems.

- Train operators and end-users.

Required Qualifications

- B.S. or M.S. in Electrical Engineering, Automation, Mechanical Engineering, Controls Engineering, or related field.

- 3+ years of hands-on automation or controls engineering experience.

- Experience with three-phase centrifugal pumps (208 VAC).

- Proficiency with conductivity sensors, flow transmitters, level sensors, and pressure sensors.

- Experience with DC rectifiers and valve automation.

- PLC/HMI programming experience.

- Ability to read and create P&IDs and electrical schematics.

- Experience with industrial signal standards (4–20 mA, 0–10 V, Modbus).

Preferred Qualifications

- Experience with water treatment systems (RO, ED, EDI, ICP).

- Familiarity with LabVIEW, Python, or MATLAB.

- Experience designing UL/NFPA-compliant control panels.

- Knowledge of EMI/EMC practices for high-current DC systems.

- Experience with VFD tuning and protection.

Soft Skills

- Strong problem-solving ability and ownership mentality.

- Clear communication across multidisciplinary engineering teams.

- Comfortable in fast-paced startup environments.

- Detail-oriented with strong documentation habits.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: From $94,750.09 per year

Benefits:

- Flexible schedule

- Health insurance

- Paid time off

Work Location: In person