Senior Automation Engineer

SENIOR AUTOMATION ENGINEER

Join our team as a Senior Automation Engineer! This is a hybrid role based out of our Kansas City office. The position is salaried and includes eligibility for overtime pay.

This position requires seasoned control systems development experience. The Senior Automation Engineer performs assignments and can create specifications when little or no specifications are provided. Independently evaluates, selects, and applies standard programming techniques, procedures, and criteria. Under supervision, this employee may direct one or more small projects and may have one or more programmers to supervise on projects.

Project work involves a variety of clients in multiple industries using various control platforms. Automation Engineers interface with both external clients as well as other internal engineering disciplines within the Matrix organization to gather field data, prepare functional specifications, write DCS and/or PLC code, develop HMI graphics, perform client acceptance testing, and start‑up new automation systems.

• Learn and follow industry, Matrix, and client safety practices and procedures. Helps supervise and direct safety issues of the site team. Helps develop safety guidelines specific to control systems. Responsible for compliance with company and site safety policies.
• Learn and follow Matrix Standards and Procedures. Mentors others in the use of them. Participate in the scrutiny and continuous improvement of same.
• Learn and follow Matrix Project Methodology developing an in‑depth knowledge of those related to software development and automation best practices. Help develop and improve our methodology.
• Prepare project scopes of work, preliminary design concepts, and cost estimates. Assist in gathering field data and preparing project specifications. Report project performance.
• Lead the project team through the software development process associated with both existing and new DCS/PLC based control systems. These systems often include the design of new Operator graphic screens, interfaces to other control systems, and interfaces to external computing platforms.
• Lead the preparation of functional specifications, project test specifications, developing DCS/PLC code, developing HMI graphics, executing a software Factory Acceptance Test, and performing on‑site commissioning and start‑up.
• Develop high‑quality, error‑free industrial software programs in keeping with the defined project requirements.
• Responsible for effective communication with other engineering disciplines to coordinate & collaborate designs.
• May serve as client sponsor to help identify new project opportunities, including leading proposal efforts. Become a trusted resource for your clients.
• Provide leadership and guidance to less experienced engineers.
• Learn and follow Matrix Core Values. Expected to set the example for others.

• Bachelor of Science Degree in Electrical, Chemical, or Mechanical Engineering or related field from an ABET‑accredited college or university.
• Minimum six years of controls, automation, and electrical troubleshooting and start‑up experience.
• EPC project experience preferred.
• Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) or Professional Engineering (PE) certification preferred.
• Preference will be given to candidates with Allen‑Bradley, Rockwell Automation, Siemens, and Aveva experience. Experience with protocols including Ethernet/IP, Device Net, Modbus TCP/IP. Knowledge in Process Control Network Architecture design.
• Varied industrial background is a plus. Key industries include food and beverage, chemical, pharmaceuticals, and manufacturing.
• Ability to travel approximately 15‑25%, both locally and overnight.
• Must be legally eligible to work in the United States.
• Able to access required client work sites.

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; stoop, kneel, crouch; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools or controls; reach with hands and arms; talk, and hear.
• The employee must frequently lift and/or move objects up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move objects up to…