Automation & Control Specialist

Role Summary

The Automation and Control Specialist serves as the technical expert and project lead for industrial automation, motor control, and specialized technical automation projects, with a strong focus on Schneider Electric automation solutions.

In this role, the Automation and Control Specialist leverages hands-on expertise in process control, SCADA systems, and Schneider Electric PLC, HMI, and drive platforms to bridge the gap between complex engineering requirements and successful commercial project execution. This position partners closely with account managers, manufacturers, manufacturer representatives, system integrators, contractors, and industrial customers to develop, review, quote, and manage automation projects from initial concept through final delivery.

Essential Job Functions

• Technical Consultation: Serve as the primary subject matter expert for industrial automation applications, with an emphasis on Schneider Electric hardware and software ecosystems, including PLCs, HMIs, Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs), industrial networking, and related control technologies.
• Application Review: Analyze customer system requirements, P&IDs, control narratives, engineering specifications, and other technical documentation to develop accurate project Bills of Material (BOMs), technical submittals, and automation solutions.
• Project Management: Manage project scope, budgets, technical requirements, and delivery schedules from concept through fulfillment, ensuring technical and commercial milestones are achieved.
• Commercial Execution: Exercise appropriate discretion and judgment in establishing customer pricing, negotiating strategic project costs with manufacturers and suppliers, and securing materials necessary to successfully execute projects.
• Customer and Vendor Collaboration: Partner with industrial end-users, system integrators, contractors, account managers, manufacturers, and manufacturer representatives to troubleshoot applications, develop quotations, resolve technical issues, and support successful project execution.
• Technical Support: Provide practical guidance and technical assistance related to automation, process control, motor control, industrial communications, and related applications.
• Continuous Improvement: Document lessons learned from complex projects and system deployments and share technical knowledge with internal teams to improve automation-related processes, workflows, and capabilities.
• Team Development: Serve as an internal technical resource and mentor, helping associates strengthen their understanding of automation products, applications, and project requirements.

Required Qualifications & Experience

• Core Technical Expertise: Strong hands-on background in process control, SCADA systems, PLC/HMI architectures, motor control, and industrial automation.
• Control Panel Experience: Practical experience with control panel design, component selection and layout, panel building, or related electrical control applications.
• Industrial Experience: Experience operating, programming, supporting, or troubleshooting control systems within industrial environments such as manufacturing, mining, water/wastewater, food and beverage, chemical processing, or similar industries.
• Project Management: Demonstrated ability to organize, prioritize, and manage multiple automation projects, quotations, or system integrations simultaneously while maintaining attention to technical and commercial requirements.
• Technical Documentation: Strong ability to read, interpret, and apply engineering specifications, construction drawings, P&IDs, control narratives, schematics, and related technical documentation.
• Problem Solving: Ability to evaluate complex technical challenges, identify appropriate automation solutions, and effectively troubleshoot system and application issues.
• Communication: Excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills, with the ability to translate highly technical automation concepts into practical solutions for customers and internal teams.
• Collaboration: Ability to work effectively with customers, account managers, project teams, system integrators, manufacturers, contractors, and manufacturer representatives.

Preferred Skills & Experience

• Schneider Electric Expertise: Advanced experience programming, configuring, specifying, or supporting Schneider Electric automation products, including Altivar Drives, Modicon PLCs, Harmony/Magelis HMIs, and EcoStruxure Control Expert programming software.
• Commercial and Distribution Experience: Previous experience within the wholesale electrical distribution industry or experience managing complex industrial quotations, proposals, and project requirements.
• Advanced Project Tools: Experience managing industrial projects using tools such as Smartsheet, Microsoft Project, SAP, or similar project management and enterprise systems.
• Local Market Knowledge: Established knowledge of or relationships with local industrial customers, buyers, system integrators, contractors, and manufacturer representatives.

Physical Challenges

• Consistent sitting for hours at a time.
• Consistent use of keyboard and mouse.
• Must be able to lift 5 pounds on a regular and consistent basis.
• Ability to climb stairs on occasion.
• Majority of job is located inside an office during regular office hours of operation.
• Some travel required.

FLSA Status: Exempt

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