Senior Automation Engineer

The Senior Automation Engineer is Tesco’s advanced technical practitioner. The role exists for engineers who have developed exceptional depth in one or more automation disciplines and can use that expertise to lead technical execution, mentor other engineers, establish project-specific methods, and solve difficult integration problems without becoming a traditional people manager.

Depending on project scope and scale, a Senior Automation Engineer may lead an entire technical effort, lead one critical workstream, or serve as the technical authority supporting another project lead. The role remains hands-on: senior technical leadership at Tesco means producing engineering, reviewing models and code, testing systems, working with Manufacturing Engineering, and supporting commissioning - not simply approving the work of others.

This role will require travel up to 10% of the time.

What you will do:

Lead technical execution for complex projects or defined technical workstreams in panel design, PLC, SCADA/HMI, networking/telemetry, systems architecture, FAT, and/or commissioning.
Translate Tesco enterprise standards and CTMO-led methods into practical project-specific technical approaches.
Perform and review complete control-panel design in SolidWorks 3D model space, including physical layout, electrical design intent, component selection, interfaces, serviceability, and downstream manufacturing requirements.
Coordinate with Manufacturing Engineering before submittal to resolve constructability, UL/listing, access, thermal, fabrication, wiring, material, and production issues.
Develop, review, and troubleshoot PLC applications, SCADA/HMI systems, industrial networks, telemetry, instrumentation, and associated interfaces according to area of expertise.
Mentor Automation Engineers and Junior Engineers through real project work, design/code review, FAT, troubleshooting, and field commissioning.
Own difficult technical decisions and clearly communicate assumptions, risks, standards, and unresolved issues to the Project Manager and project team.
Support estimating and proposal development for technically complex scopes by applying actual project knowledge and productivity experience.
Participate in FAT, startup, commissioning, root-cause analysis, and lessons-learned activities; feed recurring issues into standards and reusable design content.
Participate in regular shop walks and personally interface with production whenever responsible for panels in manufacturing.

What you bring:

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Controls/Automation Engineering, Computer Engineering, Mechatronics, Mechanical Engineering with controls emphasis, or related discipline; equivalent exceptional industry experience may be considered.
Typically 8+ years of industrial controls / systems-integration experience with clear evidence of advanced technical capability and successful project execution.
Expert-level capability in at least one major discipline - panel/electrical design, PLC, SCADA/HMI, industrial networking/telemetry, or systems architecture - plus working capability across adjacent disciplines.
Strong panel-design fundamentals including power/control distribution, I/O, instrumentation interfaces, motor controls, VFDs, circuit protection, grounding, SCCR awareness, environmental/thermal considerations, wire routing, service clearances, and maintainability.
Working knowledge of UL 508A and familiarity with UL 891 / UL 845 equipment and manufacturing constraints.
Experience with typical controls platforms such as Rockwell/Allen-Bradley, Siemens, Schneider Electric, and comparable owner-standard platforms; advanced proficiency in at least one relevant programming ecosystem.
Experience with SCADA/HMI systems such as Ignition, AVEVA/Wonderware, VTScada, FactoryTalk, GE Digital, or comparable platforms as appropriate to specialization.
Practical knowledge of EtherNet/IP, Modbus, DNP3, OPC UA and related industrial protocols, managed Ethernet, fiber, serial, radio/cellular telemetry, and field troubleshooting as appropriate to specialization.
Demonstrated ability to lead technical work through design, FAT, field startup, and customer acceptance without relying on formal supervisory authority.