Burns & McDonnell

Staff Automation & Controls Engineer (Kansas City)

Burns & McDonnell$95K — $115K *
Manufacturing & Automotive
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or related field from an ABET-accredited program with at least 3 years of relevant experience.
  • Knowledge of industrial automation systems including PLCs, RTUs, SCADA, HMIs, and DCS.
  • Strong analytical, troubleshooting, and problem-solving skills are essential.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills are required.
  • Ability to apply engineering principles across diverse automation and control assignments.
  • Capacity to innovate and develop technical solutions for complex challenges.
  • Experience with major automation platforms like Rockwell Automation and Siemens, and industrial networking technologies is preferred.

Responsibilities

  • Design, develop, and implement industrial automation and control systems for various EPC projects.
  • Create deliverables such as system architecture diagrams and control narratives for automation systems.
  • Configure and program PLC, RTU, HMI, and SCADA systems across multiple platforms.
  • Lead testing procedures, factory acceptance tests, and commissioning documentation.
  • Develop industrial communication architectures utilizing key industrial protocols.
  • Coordinate system interfaces with instrumentation, electrical, and telecommunications.
  • Provide technical leadership and mentorship to junior engineers.

Benefits

  • Support for continuous improvement and innovation in the workplace.
  • A strong culture focused on safety and quality in all project phases.
  • Opportunity for travel to various job sites, approximately 15% of the time.
Full Job Description
Description

The Staff Automation & Controls Engineer will support a variety of complex industrial and utility projects involving automation, control systems, programmable logic controllers (PLCs), remote terminal units (RTUs), human-machine interfaces (HMIs), supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA), distributed control systems (DCS), industrial networking, and system integration. This role supports the design, configuration, testing, commissioning, and lifecycle modernization of automation systems that enable safe, reliable, and efficient operation of critical infrastructure and industrial facilities.
  • Design, develop, and implement industrial automation and control systems for EPC projects serving the pipeline, RNG, water and wastewater, power generation, utility, substation, and fueling markets.
  • Develop project deliverables including system architecture diagrams, controls philosophy documents, control narratives, cause-and-effect matrices, network architecture diagrams, I/O databases, SCADA point lists, functional specifications, equipment specifications, wiring diagrams, panel designs, and commissioning documentation.
  • Configure and program PLC, RTU, HMI, and SCADA platforms including Allen-Bradley, Siemens, Emerson, SEL, Novatech, Ignition, FactoryTalk View, FactoryTalk Optix, AVEVA, and related industrial automation platforms.
  • Lead development and execution of panel checkout procedures, factory acceptance testing (FAT), site acceptance testing (SAT), integrated system testing, startup activities, and commissioning documentation.
  • Develop industrial communication architectures utilizing Ethernet/IP, Modbus, DNP3, IEC 61850, OPC UA, MQTT, and other industrial communication protocols as applicable.
  • Coordinate automation system interfaces with instrumentation, electrical power systems, telecommunications, cybersecurity, and third-party vendor equipment.
  • Lead technical portions of projects from conceptual design through detailed engineering, software development, testing, startup, commissioning, and project closeout.
  • Coordinate with multiple internal Global Practices and regional offices to successfully execute multidisciplinary EPC projects.
  • Identify project risks, develop technical solutions, and proactively communicate project issues to project management and clients.
  • Provide technical leadership, mentoring, and guidance to less experienced engineers and designers.
  • Perform design quality reviews and ensure compliance with client standards, company QA/QC procedures, and applicable industry codes and standards.
  • Support project managers in developing engineering budgets, schedules, resource plans, technical proposals, and change management documentation.
  • Build and maintain strong client relationships through technical meetings, presentations, and project execution support.
  • Promote a strong culture of safety, quality, accountability, and continuous improvement throughout all phases of project execution.
  • Performs other duties as assigned.
  • Complies with all policies and standards.

Qualifications
  • Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or a related degree from an ABET-accredited program, and 3 years of automation, control systems, SCADA, industrial networking, system integration, or related engineering experience required.
  • Knowledge of industrial automation systems including PLCs, RTUs, SCADA, HMIs, DCS, industrial communication protocols, and control system architectures.
  • Strong analytical, troubleshooting, and problem-solving skills.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
  • Ability to apply engineering principles and practices across a broad range of automation and control system assignments.
  • Ability to develop innovative technical solutions to complex engineering challenges.
  • Experience with major automation platforms such as Rockwell Automation, Siemens, Schneider Electric, Emerson, Honeywell, or Ignition preferred.
  • Experience with industrial networking technologies including EtherNet/IP, Modbus, DNP3, IEC 61850, or OPC UA preferred.
  • Previous utility, industrial, or consulting experience preferred.

This job posting will remain open a minimum of 72 hours and on an ongoing basis until filled.

Job Engineering

Primary Location US-MO-Kansas City

Schedule: Full-time

Travel: Yes, 15 % of the Time

Req ID: 264486

Job Hire Type Experienced #LI-MG #T&D N/A

About Burns & McDonnell

Burns & McDonnell is a full-service engineering, architecture, construction, environmental and consulting solutions firm. The company was founded in 1898 by Clinton Burns and Robert McDonnell and is headquartered in Kansas City, Missouri. Burns & McDonnell provides services to a wide range of industries, including aviation, defense, energy, environmental, healthcare, and transportation. The company has over 7,500 employees and operates in more than 50 countries around the world. Burns & McDonnell has been recognized as one of the best places to work in the United States by Fortune magazine.
Learn more about Burns & McDonnell
Size
7,500 employees
Industry
Founded
1898

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