Senior Engineering Associate - Electrical (Controls & Automation)This is a full-time contract (40+ hours/week), role supporting wastewater treatment plants, pump stations, capital improvement projects, and operations and maintenance teams.
Summary- Provide electrical engineering, controls, and automation expertise to support wastewater treatment facilities, pump stations, and operational technology systems.
- Lead the Automation Change Request (ACR) Program, overseeing electrical, process control, and automation modifications across operational facilities.
- Collaborate with engineering, operations, maintenance, and technical teams to support system reliability, regulatory compliance, and operational improvements.
- Support capital improvement projects (CIP) through specialized engineering services, technical oversight, and project management.
- Provide technical expertise in instrumentation, programmable logic controllers (PLCs), process control systems, and industrial communication protocols.
- Evaluate electrical and automation systems to identify improvements, resolve technical issues, and maintain compliance with engineering standards.
- Coordinate commissioning, system integration, and automation change implementation activities to support successful project delivery.
- Serve as a technical resource for internal and external stakeholders while promoting collaboration, operational efficiency, and continuous improvement.
Responsibilities- Lead and administer the Automation Change Request (ACR) Program, including screening requests, preparing technical documentation, and coordinating automation modifications.
- Maintain SharePoint tracking systems and project documentation to monitor automation changes, approvals, and implementation activities.
- Provide electrical engineering design, technical analysis, and construction support for capital improvement projects and ongoing facility operations.
- Review electrical drawings, engineering plans, specifications, as-built documentation, and construction deliverables for accuracy, completeness, and compliance with established design guidelines.
- Analyze electrical, instrumentation, and automation systems to identify deficiencies, recommend improvements, and ensure compliance with applicable codes and technical standards.
- Support multiple concurrent projects by coordinating stakeholders, managing technical assignments, resolving engineering issues, and maintaining project objectives.
- Provide commissioning, field verification, troubleshooting, and system integration support during project execution and automation change implementation.
- Collaborate with operations, maintenance personnel, engineering teams, and external stakeholders to address technical challenges, support facility performance, and update engineering design guidelines.
Ideal Candidate- Strong background in electrical engineering, instrumentation, industrial controls, and automation systems within industrial or utility environments.
- Experience applying electrical engineering principles to PLC design, process control, automation systems, and industrial communication protocols.
- Knowledge of federal, state, and local regulations, electrical codes, and engineering standards applicable to wastewater treatment or similar industrial facilities.
- Experience preparing, reviewing, and interpreting electrical engineering drawings, construction plans, technical specifications, and as-built documentation.
- Understanding of project management principles, including coordinating multiple assignments, managing stakeholders, and supporting capital improvement projects.
- Strong analytical and troubleshooting skills with the ability to evaluate electrical systems, identify technical issues, and develop practical engineering solutions.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to explain complex technical concepts to nontechnical stakeholders and the public.
- Ability to collaborate effectively with multidisciplinary engineering teams, operations and maintenance personnel, contractors, and external stakeholders.
Nice to Have- Experience with NFPA 820 requirements and access warning systems in wastewater treatment facilities.
- SCADA system design experience, including alarm management, high-performance graphics, and Ignition software.
- PLC programming experience, including Function Block Logic design.
- Familiarity with Schneider Electric EcoStruxure automation and control platforms.
Compensation & Benefits- Hourly or salary range: $55-$75/hour
- Medical Coverage: Two United Healthcare plans (PPO and HDHP with HSA), with employer contributions toward premiums; coverage begins the 1st of the month after 60 days of employment
- Dental & Vision: United Healthcare dental with 100% preventive care coverage and vision benefits for exams, frames, lenses, or contacts
- Wellbeing Support: Employee Assistance Program (EAP) offering confidential counseling plus additional wellness and care navigation resources
- Retirement & Savings: 401(k) eligible after 30 days with automatic 6% enrollment (opt-out available), 1% annual increases up to 10%, plus HSA with up to $480 employer contribution
- Voluntary Benefits: Employee-paid accident insurance and critical illness coverage for major health events (e.g., cancer, heart attack)
