ZipRecruiter
Automation Engineer 4 Lead - Oil & Gas, Power & Water Division
ZipRecruiter, Sioux Falls, South Dakota, United States, 57102
Job DescriptionJob Description
Automation Engineer 4 Lead – Oil & Gas, Power & Water Division | Sioux Falls, SD
Do you have a deep understanding of automation in the
Oil & Gas ,
Power , or
Water/Wastewater
sectors—and the leadership skills to match? Direct Companies is seeking an experienced Automation Engineer 4 Lead to help drive our growing operations in Sioux Falls, SD. This role will champion project execution, mentor technical talent, and lead process improvements that help us deliver safer, smarter, and more efficient solutions across the energy and utility industries.
About Direct Companies – Energy, Power & Water Divisions
At Direct Companies, we partner with some of the most respected companies in the Oil & Gas, Power , and Water/Wastewater sectors. From upstream production to grid-scale substations to municipal water systems, we deliver tailored automation and control solutions that improve uptime, compliance, and operational visibility. Based in Sioux Falls, our team is hands-on, forward-thinking, and driven to set new standards for excellence in industrial automation.
What We're Looking For:
5+ years of automation or controls engineering experience in
Oil & Gas, Power, and/or Water/Wastewater
Proven leadership in managing technical teams and field operations
Strong understanding of
PLC/SCADA systems , telemetry, HMI, and field instrumentation
Experience coordinating cross-functional teams across project and service environments
Familiarity with
regulatory standards
in energy and utility industries (e.g., EPA, FERC, NERC, PHMSA)
Effective communicator with a proactive, solutions-oriented mindset
Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or related field
What You’ll Be Doing:
Team Resource Coordination (42%)
Lead and coordinate engineering and service resources across multiple automation projects in Oil & Gas, Power, and Water sectors
Ensure proper scheduling for commissioning, startup, and support services across diverse field environments
Align technical execution with business priorities and client requirements
Mentorship & Coaching (28%)
Mentor automation engineers and field technicians with a focus on safety, quality, and continuous improvement
Promote skill development and cross-industry knowledge sharing
Foster a team culture grounded in accountability, technical rigor, and learning
Process Leadership & Optimization (18%)
Drive internal initiatives to improve workflows, quality, and operational consistency
Standardize documentation, testing protocols, and lessons learned across sectors
Collaborate with SMEs and project leads to identify and eliminate root inefficiencies
Project & Service Support (12%)
Tackle complex field issues and critical service needs with calm, expert insight
Ensure proper documentation and traceability through project tracking systems
Contribute to high-impact delivery and customer satisfaction
Key Metrics for Success:
Timely and efficient execution across industries
Growth, retention, and development of technical teams
Process optimization outcomes and adoption
Responsiveness and satisfaction across clients in multiple sectors
What You’ll Get:
Competitive compensation based on experience
Full benefits package (health, dental, vision, life, )
401(k) with company match
PTO, paid holidays, and travel expense support
Ongoing training and leadership development
Opportunity to lead in a cross-industry, high-growth division
Relocation Bonus (if applicable)
Why Direct Companies?
This isn’t just a leadership role—it’s a chance to shape the future of automation across some of the most critical infrastructure sectors in the world. Our Oil & Gas, Power, and Water divisions are growing, and we’re looking for hands-on leaders who bring both technical excellence and strategic thinking to every challenge.
If you're ready to lead with purpose and make an impact across energy and utility sectors—we want to hear from you.
Apply today and help us drive innovation in Oil & Gas, Power, and Water/Wastewater automation.
#hc186265
Automation Engineer 4 Lead – Oil & Gas, Power & Water Division | Sioux Falls, SD
Do you have a deep understanding of automation in the
Oil & Gas ,
Power , or
Water/Wastewater
sectors—and the leadership skills to match? Direct Companies is seeking an experienced Automation Engineer 4 Lead to help drive our growing operations in Sioux Falls, SD. This role will champion project execution, mentor technical talent, and lead process improvements that help us deliver safer, smarter, and more efficient solutions across the energy and utility industries.
About Direct Companies – Energy, Power & Water Divisions
At Direct Companies, we partner with some of the most respected companies in the Oil & Gas, Power , and Water/Wastewater sectors. From upstream production to grid-scale substations to municipal water systems, we deliver tailored automation and control solutions that improve uptime, compliance, and operational visibility. Based in Sioux Falls, our team is hands-on, forward-thinking, and driven to set new standards for excellence in industrial automation.
What We're Looking For:
5+ years of automation or controls engineering experience in
Oil & Gas, Power, and/or Water/Wastewater
Proven leadership in managing technical teams and field operations
Strong understanding of
PLC/SCADA systems , telemetry, HMI, and field instrumentation
Experience coordinating cross-functional teams across project and service environments
Familiarity with
regulatory standards
in energy and utility industries (e.g., EPA, FERC, NERC, PHMSA)
Effective communicator with a proactive, solutions-oriented mindset
Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or related field
What You’ll Be Doing:
Team Resource Coordination (42%)
Lead and coordinate engineering and service resources across multiple automation projects in Oil & Gas, Power, and Water sectors
Ensure proper scheduling for commissioning, startup, and support services across diverse field environments
Align technical execution with business priorities and client requirements
Mentorship & Coaching (28%)
Mentor automation engineers and field technicians with a focus on safety, quality, and continuous improvement
Promote skill development and cross-industry knowledge sharing
Foster a team culture grounded in accountability, technical rigor, and learning
Process Leadership & Optimization (18%)
Drive internal initiatives to improve workflows, quality, and operational consistency
Standardize documentation, testing protocols, and lessons learned across sectors
Collaborate with SMEs and project leads to identify and eliminate root inefficiencies
Project & Service Support (12%)
Tackle complex field issues and critical service needs with calm, expert insight
Ensure proper documentation and traceability through project tracking systems
Contribute to high-impact delivery and customer satisfaction
Key Metrics for Success:
Timely and efficient execution across industries
Growth, retention, and development of technical teams
Process optimization outcomes and adoption
Responsiveness and satisfaction across clients in multiple sectors
What You’ll Get:
Competitive compensation based on experience
Full benefits package (health, dental, vision, life, )
401(k) with company match
PTO, paid holidays, and travel expense support
Ongoing training and leadership development
Opportunity to lead in a cross-industry, high-growth division
Relocation Bonus (if applicable)
Why Direct Companies?
This isn’t just a leadership role—it’s a chance to shape the future of automation across some of the most critical infrastructure sectors in the world. Our Oil & Gas, Power, and Water divisions are growing, and we’re looking for hands-on leaders who bring both technical excellence and strategic thinking to every challenge.
If you're ready to lead with purpose and make an impact across energy and utility sectors—we want to hear from you.
Apply today and help us drive innovation in Oil & Gas, Power, and Water/Wastewater automation.
#hc186265