Lead Control System Engineer
Confirmed on the employer's own hiring board on Oct 27, 2026. First seen by Alion on Oct 22, 2026.
ICS Online. (“ICS”) is an industry leader in the manufacturing of custom Industrial Control panels and factory automation systems. ICS works with both end users and leading original equipment manufacturers in a variety of industries. These industries include but are not limited to, water and wastewater treatment, energy generation and storage, semiconductor, food and beverage processing and packaging, and factory automation. ICS is part of Cleanwater1 and through its various operating subsidiaries, is one of the most dynamic and fastest growing companies in the water infrastructure market.
ICS is seeking an experienced Controls Engineer with strong SCADA and PLC expertise to join our engineering team. This is a full-time role supporting the design, development, and implementation of industrial automation and SCADA systems. The ideal candidate is technically strong, hands-on, and collaborative, with experience working across the full lifecycle of automation projects.
Essential Job Functions
Define functional requirements through client workshops, site assessments, and documentation analysis.
Develop detailed system designs, control strategies, and integration architectures for industrial automation and SCADA systems.
Program, configure, test, and troubleshoot PLC systems using IEC 61131-3 programming languages, including Ladder Logic, Function Block Diagram (FBD), and Structured Text (ST).
Program, configure, test, and troubleshoot SCADA (Ignition) systems, including integration with PLCs, HMIs, databases, and third-party equipment.
Install and configure Ignition SCADA, including architecture design, licensing, scripting, reporting, alarm management, historian functions, and database transactions.
Design, configure, and implement Human Machine Interface (HMI) solutions and operator interfaces for a variety of industrial applications.
Develop and maintain templates, User Defined Types (UDTs), reusable code libraries, and standardized automation objects.
Design and implement turnkey industrial control systems utilizing PLCs, HMIs, SCADA platforms, Remote I/O, and Distributed I/O architectures.
Integrate new equipment, instrumentation, and control devices into existing customer SCADA, PLC, and automation systems.
Configure and support server-client architectures, redundant systems, SQL databases, reporting solutions, recipe management systems, and distributed control environments.
Perform code development, testing, validation, and documentation for automation and control systems.
Coordinate and execute Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT), Site Acceptance Testing (SAT), and User Acceptance Testing (UAT).
Troubleshoot and configure industrial communication networks and protocols, including Ethernet/IP, Modbus TCP/RTU, OPC-UA, serial communications, and other industrial networking technologies.
Configure and support industrial networking infrastructure, including managed switches, VLANs, Network Address Translation (NAT), virtual networks, and secure remote connectivity solutions.
Integrate field devices and serial communication equipment, including barcode readers, printers, instrumentation, and RS-232/RS-485 communication networks.
Design, configure, and support remote access and telemetry solutions using Ethernet, industrial radios, wireless Ethernet, cellular modems, VPNs, and other remote communication technologies.
Support system commissioning, startup, troubleshooting, and post-installation performance optimization.
Collaborate with cross-functional teams, vendors, and clients to ensure successful project execution and delivery.
Maintain flexibility to contribute across all phases of automation, controls, and SCADA system development, implementation, and support.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree (4-year) in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or Chemical Engineering
- 5-8 years of experience in industrial automation and controls engineering
- Hands-on experience with ControlLogix and CompactLogix PLCs, as well as Ignition SCADA (including Perspective and Vision modules) and MES systems such as Rockwell/Allen-Bradley and Siemens
- Experience with Ignition platform including installation, configuration, system architecture, licensing, scripting (Python), reporting, and database transactions
- Strong knowledge of communication protocols including OPC (UA & DA), TCP/IP, UDP, and XML
- Experience developing and troubleshooting templates and User Defined Types (UDTs)
- Experience working within server-client architectures and distributed systems
- Proven ability in code development, testing, and system validation
- Industrial networking experience including Modbus TCP, Ethernet/IP, and TCP/IP
- Strong troubleshooting, analytical, and problem-solving skills
Preferred Qualifications
- Master’s degree in a relevant engineering discipline
- Experience in water/wastewater or industrial process environments
- Strong background in MES integrations
- Advanced troubleshooting across SCADA, PLCs, and network systems
- Experience working in full lifecycle automation project environments
Physical Demands
- Regularly required to stand, walk, sit, reach with hands and arms, climb or balance, stoop or kneel, talk and hear, and use fingers and hands to feel objects, tools or controls.
- Ability to perform work in a standing, stooping, sitting or bending position for extended periods of time.
- Must have manual dexterity to operate the equipment and tools required for this position.
- Must be able to quickly respond (with hand, finger or foot) to a signal (sound, light, picture) when it responds.
- Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and ability to adjust focus.
- Ability to lift and/or move up to 40 lbs.
- Ability to look at computer monitors for much of the workday.
Work Environment
- Approximately 60% Office.
- Approximately 40% Light Industrial - May be exposed to areas of high noise levels, hazardous propellants, chemicals and industrial facilities. Appropriate PPE and training will be provided for all conditions.
Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
This is an exempt position. Compensation is dependent on skill level. The base salary range for this position is between $98,000 and $120,000 per year. Benefits package and incentives are provided. We generally offer employees working 21 hours per work or more medical, dental, vision, along with voluntary ancillary benefits. The Company has a 401(k)-match program and has company-paid life and AD&D insurance available for eligible employees.
Cleanwater1, Inc. and its subsidiaries are equal opportunity employers. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by law.
The Cleanwater1, inc. California Employee Privacy Notice is available at https://cleanwater1.com/privacy-policy.
Cleanwater1, inc. and its affiliated subsidiaries maintain a drug-free workplace.
Pay Range: $98,000 - $120,000 per hour