American Water
Senior Automation & Controls (SCADA) Engineer
American Water, Davenport, Iowa, United States, 52800
Job Title
Senior Automation & Controls (SCADA) Engineer
at
American Water
Primary Role Responsible for implementing, maintaining and supporting the automation & process control infrastructure (SCADA). Provide expert assistance, collaborate on engineering plans, design, monitoring, build and commission automation & process control systems. Apply new technologies and vendor products to deliver innovative solutions that meet operational and business requirements. Develop standards, practices and policies for installation, maintenance and operation of automation & process control systems. Provide second level support and manage projects as required.
Key Accountabilities – Project Responsibilities
Collaborate with design engineers, operations personnel and internal staff on design review, information gathering, inspection and commissioning/start‑up of projects that include process control equipment or SCADA systems.
Execute projects from conception to start‑up within budget and schedule.
Develop programming and configuration code for process control systems, modify existing programs, review work performed by outside contractors and coordinate control system issues between project engineering, the instrumentation contractor and operations.
Review control logic strategies and implement programming changes to optimize control strategies for treatment and pumping processes and automate where appropriate.
Support and Administration
Perform or coordinate maintenance activities on process control equipment or SCADA system.
Perform upgrades, add new facilities, and provide replacement of hardware and software.
Troubleshoot and resolve control system issues.
Investigate new technological developments and processes.
Research, recommend, and implement systems to enhance system functionality and reliability.
Advise, instruct, and/or assist operating company personnel on proper operation and maintenance of Process Control equipment or Systems. Provide technical instruction as required.
Ensure compliance to policies and procedures.
Make recommendations to change standards and methods to improve processes and results.
Vendor Relationships
Develop and maintain relationship with system integrators and other partners/vendors.
Review vendor specifications, report findings and make recommendations.
Knowledge & Skills
Strong knowledge of P&IDs, control elementary drawings, ISA instrument specifications, and loop diagrams.
Working knowledge of industrial control system platforms including PLC / DCS / HMI programming / design / configuration.
Knowledge of industrial computers and data collection methods. Understanding of PC networking technology, telemetry methods and historical archiving databases and historians.
Knowledge of project management and application development methodologies and tools.
Knowledge of business applications, Microsoft Office products and productivity tools (e.g. MS Word, MS Project, Excel, PowerPoint).
Demonstrative knowledge of engineering concepts and their application; water/wastewater equipment and systems operations preferred.
Working knowledge of electrical, mechanical, and instrumentation process control equipment and systems.
Demonstrated ability to configure programmable process controllers PLCs / RTUs, to include Allen‑Bradley/Rockwell (preferred), Bristol Babcock, Modicon, Siemens, Emerson.
Demonstrated ability to configure HMI systems, to include Ignition (preferred), Iconics, GE/Intellution, Wonderware.
Ability to develop Process Control Functional descriptions.
Demonstrated ability to solve complex process control problems related to water / wastewater systems.
Proficient with identifying, planning, scheduling, conducting, and coordinating detailed phases of Capital Projects.
Proficient with data communications systems, protocols, wired and wireless network systems, and cellular and radio telemetry.
Excellent interpersonal and team contributor skills.
Ability to prioritize and manage multiple projects simultaneously and adapt to changes in priority efficiently.
Excellent client relations skills and customer service orientation.
Excellent planning, time management and organization skills with attention to detail.
Good verbal and written communications skills, including presentation expertise and the ability to communicate complex issues clearly.
Experience & Education
5+ years of demonstrated experience in maintenance, troubleshooting, calibration, repair and installation of Process Control Systems (SCADA and DCS), configuration and programming of PLCs / RTU preferred.
Experience with data communications systems, protocols, wired and wireless network systems, and cellular and radio telemetry.
Experience with OPC and/or programming languages.
Four‑year (4) degree or equivalent experience and/or certifications or other education and training may be substituted.
Travel Requirements
Travel, including overnight, may be required.
Work Environment
Operating Facilities – Multi District/State Coverage Area.
May include off hours support when required.
Competencies
Champions safety
Collaborates
Cultivates innovation
Customer obsessed
Drives Results
Nimble learning
#J-18808-Ljbffr
at
American Water
Primary Role Responsible for implementing, maintaining and supporting the automation & process control infrastructure (SCADA). Provide expert assistance, collaborate on engineering plans, design, monitoring, build and commission automation & process control systems. Apply new technologies and vendor products to deliver innovative solutions that meet operational and business requirements. Develop standards, practices and policies for installation, maintenance and operation of automation & process control systems. Provide second level support and manage projects as required.
Key Accountabilities – Project Responsibilities
Collaborate with design engineers, operations personnel and internal staff on design review, information gathering, inspection and commissioning/start‑up of projects that include process control equipment or SCADA systems.
Execute projects from conception to start‑up within budget and schedule.
Develop programming and configuration code for process control systems, modify existing programs, review work performed by outside contractors and coordinate control system issues between project engineering, the instrumentation contractor and operations.
Review control logic strategies and implement programming changes to optimize control strategies for treatment and pumping processes and automate where appropriate.
Support and Administration
Perform or coordinate maintenance activities on process control equipment or SCADA system.
Perform upgrades, add new facilities, and provide replacement of hardware and software.
Troubleshoot and resolve control system issues.
Investigate new technological developments and processes.
Research, recommend, and implement systems to enhance system functionality and reliability.
Advise, instruct, and/or assist operating company personnel on proper operation and maintenance of Process Control equipment or Systems. Provide technical instruction as required.
Ensure compliance to policies and procedures.
Make recommendations to change standards and methods to improve processes and results.
Vendor Relationships
Develop and maintain relationship with system integrators and other partners/vendors.
Review vendor specifications, report findings and make recommendations.
Knowledge & Skills
Strong knowledge of P&IDs, control elementary drawings, ISA instrument specifications, and loop diagrams.
Working knowledge of industrial control system platforms including PLC / DCS / HMI programming / design / configuration.
Knowledge of industrial computers and data collection methods. Understanding of PC networking technology, telemetry methods and historical archiving databases and historians.
Knowledge of project management and application development methodologies and tools.
Knowledge of business applications, Microsoft Office products and productivity tools (e.g. MS Word, MS Project, Excel, PowerPoint).
Demonstrative knowledge of engineering concepts and their application; water/wastewater equipment and systems operations preferred.
Working knowledge of electrical, mechanical, and instrumentation process control equipment and systems.
Demonstrated ability to configure programmable process controllers PLCs / RTUs, to include Allen‑Bradley/Rockwell (preferred), Bristol Babcock, Modicon, Siemens, Emerson.
Demonstrated ability to configure HMI systems, to include Ignition (preferred), Iconics, GE/Intellution, Wonderware.
Ability to develop Process Control Functional descriptions.
Demonstrated ability to solve complex process control problems related to water / wastewater systems.
Proficient with identifying, planning, scheduling, conducting, and coordinating detailed phases of Capital Projects.
Proficient with data communications systems, protocols, wired and wireless network systems, and cellular and radio telemetry.
Excellent interpersonal and team contributor skills.
Ability to prioritize and manage multiple projects simultaneously and adapt to changes in priority efficiently.
Excellent client relations skills and customer service orientation.
Excellent planning, time management and organization skills with attention to detail.
Good verbal and written communications skills, including presentation expertise and the ability to communicate complex issues clearly.
Experience & Education
5+ years of demonstrated experience in maintenance, troubleshooting, calibration, repair and installation of Process Control Systems (SCADA and DCS), configuration and programming of PLCs / RTU preferred.
Experience with data communications systems, protocols, wired and wireless network systems, and cellular and radio telemetry.
Experience with OPC and/or programming languages.
Four‑year (4) degree or equivalent experience and/or certifications or other education and training may be substituted.
Travel Requirements
Travel, including overnight, may be required.
Work Environment
Operating Facilities – Multi District/State Coverage Area.
May include off hours support when required.
Competencies
Champions safety
Collaborates
Cultivates innovation
Customer obsessed
Drives Results
Nimble learning
#J-18808-Ljbffr