Control Systems SME

Denver, Colorado, United States |Engineering and Automation

Role purpose: Serve as the senior technical authority for complex industrial control systems, guiding architecture, engineering quality, implementation, commissioning, and lifecycle reliability across automation projects and client operations.

The Senior Control Systems Subject Matter Expert (SME) provides enterprise-level technical leadership for industrial automation, controls, SCADA, safety systems, OT networking, and systems integration. This role establishes technical direction, reviews and approves critical designs, resolves complex system issues, and mentors engineering teams throughout the project lifecycle. Working closely with clients, project managers, engineering disciplines, vendors, construction, and commissioning teams, the SME ensures solutions are safe, secure, maintainable, standards-compliant, and aligned with operational and business objectives.

• Serve as the senior technical authority for control systems, PLCs, HMIs, SCADA platforms, safety systems, flow computers, industrial networks, and integrated automation solutions.
• Define and approve control system architectures, design philosophies, engineering standards, implementation strategies, migration plans, and lifecycle roadmaps.
• Lead technical reviews of control narratives, cause-and-effect matrices, I/O lists, network diagrams, panel designs, wiring schematics, bills of material, software designs, and testing documentation.
• Provide expert guidance across FEL/FEED, detailed design, procurement, configuration, programming, factory acceptance testing, site acceptance testing, commissioning, startup, and operational support.
• Review and approve critical technical deliverables, calculations, estimates, and engineering decisions while ensuring quality, consistency, constructability, and compliance with project requirements.
• Diagnose and resolve complex control, instrumentation, communications, server, network, and process‑logic issues, including modernization of legacy systems and high‑risk cutovers.
• Establish reusable standards, templates, libraries, testing methods, cybersecurity practices, and technical work processes that improve engineering quality and execution efficiency.
• Advise clients and project teams on technology selection, platform suitability, obsolescence, redundancy, availability, maintainability, safety, and total lifecycle considerations.
• Lead technical workshops, design reviews, hazard and operability discussions, root‑cause investigations, and resolution of cross‑discipline technical issues.
• Mentor and develop engineers, programmers, designers, and field personnel through coaching, technical training, peer review, and hands‑on problem solving.
• Support project managers with scope definition, technical estimating, staffing plans, schedules, risk identification, change evaluation, and technical communication with stakeholders.
• Coordinate with equipment manufacturers, integrators, contractors, and client operations teams to ensure interfaces, responsibilities, and acceptance criteria are clearly defined.
• Promote a strong culture of safety, quality, ethical engineering practice, knowledge sharing, and continuous improvement.

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Controls Engineering, Automation, Electronics, Computer Engineering, Engineering Technology, or a related discipline.
• Minimum 15 years of progressive experience in industrial automation, instrumentation, electrical controls, SCADA, or control system integration.
• Demonstrated experience as a lead engineer, technical authority, engineering manager, principal engineer, or SME on complex industrial projects.
• Deep knowledge of PLC and HMI/SCADA system…