Sr Automation & Controls (SCADA) Engineer

Job Description

Job Title: Sr Automation & Controls (SCADA) Engineer

Posting Start Date: 10/22/25

Job Description:

Job Information

Salary Range: $68,640 - $114,660

The base salary range represents a good faith salary range for this position. This position is eligible for annual incentive pay and has the opportunity for continued salary growth. If you are hired at American Water your base salary compensation will be determined based on factors such as market, geography, skills, education and/or experience. At American Water, we are committed to pay equity. In addition to compensation, you will be offered a comprehensive benefits package including 401(k), Defined Contribution Plan, Employee Stock Purchase Plan, medical, prescription, dental and vision coverage, plus disability, paid time off, life insurance, voluntary benefits, health and wellness programs and much more!

American Water is also proud to offer employees learning opportunities and work experiences to grow professionally!

Primary Role

Responsible for implementing, maintaining and supporting the automation & process control infrastructure. Provide expert assistance and collaborate in creating engineering plans, designs, monitoring, build and commissioning of automation & process control systems. Understand and apply new technological systems and multiple vendor products to develop and support innovative system solutions that match operational and business requirements. Assist in the development of standards, practices and policies related to the installation, maintenance and operations of automation & process control systems. Develop, deploy and maintain standard and custom programming and configuration code for the automation & process control systems. Provide second level support for maintaining the automation & process control infrastructure, which includes on call as well as on site when required. Manage automation & process control system projects as required. Perform quality assurance checks of automation & process control systems as required. Manage direct reports as required.

Key Accountabilities

- Works collaboratively with design engineers, operations personnel, and other internal staff on the design, review, information gathering, inspection, and commissioning / start-up of projects that include process control equipment or systems.

- Executes projects from conception to start-up within budget and project schedule.

- Develops programming and configuration code for process control systems, make changes to existing programs, review work performed by outside contractors, participate in factory witness testing, and coordinate control system issues between project engineering, the instrumentation contractor, and American Water management.

- Reviews control logic strategies and implement programming changes to optimize control strategies for treatment and pumping processes.

- Performs or coordinate maintenance activities on process control equipment or systems.

- Performs upgrades, add new facilities, and provide replacement of hardware and software.

- Troubleshoots and resolve control system issues.

- Investigates new technological developments and processes.

- Researches, recommends, and implements systems to enhance Systems functionality and reliability.

- Advises, instructs, and/or assists personnel on proper operation and maintenance of Process Control equipment or Systems.

- Provides Technical instruction as required.

- Works with personnel to implement appropriate policies, standards, practices, and guidelines for all phases of Process Control implementation and maintenance.

- Works with members of operating company to enforce compliance with mandatory Process Control policies and procedures.

- Makes recommendations to change standards and methods to improve processes and results.

- Provides supervision and/or support for Controls Engineer or Controls Specialist staff members as required.

- Ensures compliance with the Change Management process. Enforces process control system life cycle practices.

- Develops and maintains relationship with Process Control vendors to keep current with changes in operational control systems.

- Reviews vendor specifications, report findings and make recommendations.

Experience/Education

- Four year (4) degree or equivalent.

- Significant additional experience and/or certifications or other education and training may be substituted for formal education.

- Minimum five (5) years of experience in the maintenance, troubleshooting, calibration, repair and installation of Process Control Systems (SCADA and DCS), configuration and programming of PLCs / RTUs (Allen – Bradley, Modicon, Rockwell Automation, Siemens, Emerson) and HMIs (Iconics, Intellution, Wonderware), control and instrument loops.

- Experience with data communications systems, protocols, wired and wireless network systems, and radio telemetry.

- Experience with OPC, Visual Basic, and SQL applications.

Travel Requirements

- Travel, including overnight, as required.

Work Environment

- Operating Facilities – Multi District/State Coverage Area. Requires “on-call” out of hours support during evenings, nights, holidays and weekends.

Competencies

Champions safety

Customer obsessed

Cultivates innovation

Nimble learning

Drives Results

Collaborates