Job Title: Water Systems Automation Engineer
Job Summary:
The Water Systems Automation Engineer Manager is responsible for leading the design, development, optimization, and maintenance of automation systems in water treatment plants and distribution systems. This managerial role focuses on overseeing SCADA systems, PLCs, sensors, and control systems to ensure optimal operation, compliance with environmental regulations, and continuous improvement of water systems. The Manager will lead a team of engineers, drive strategic initiatives for process optimization, and collaborate with cross-functional departments to enhance automation, improve operational efficiency, and ensure that all systems meet regulatory requirements for water treatment and distribution.
Key Responsibilities:
Leadership and Team Management:
- Lead and manage a team of automation engineers, providing technical guidance, mentorship, and career development opportunities.
- Set clear goals and objectives for the team, ensuring that project deadlines and performance metrics are met.
- Foster a collaborative and high-performance culture, encouraging knowledge sharing and innovative thinking within the team.
- Oversee team performance, conduct performance reviews, and ensure the team is equipped with the skills and resources required to meet project and operational objectives.
System Design and Optimization:
- Oversee the design, configuration, and optimization of SCADA, PLCs, sensors, and other automation systems used in water treatment and distribution.
- Lead efforts to ensure that process control systems effectively monitor and control water quality parameters (e.g., pH, chlorine levels, turbidity) and operational parameters (e.g., flow rates, pressure, chemical dosing).
- Ensure that systems are continuously optimized for energy efficiency, reduced operational costs, and improved system performance.
Project Management and Execution:
- Lead and manage automation-related projects from concept to completion, including system design, implementation, testing, and commissioning.
- Ensure that all automation projects are completed on time, within budget, and in accordance with technical and regulatory specifications.
- Coordinate resources, allocate tasks, and manage timelines for multiple projects, ensuring alignment with operational and strategic goals.
- Collaborate with senior management to define project goals and ensure the prioritization of key initiatives.
Troubleshooting and System Reliability:
- Lead troubleshooting efforts for complex automation system issues, working closely with senior engineers and operators to diagnose and resolve system faults.
- Ensure that control systems operate reliably by implementing preventive and corrective maintenance strategies to minimize downtime and extend system lifecycles.
- Oversee the continuous improvement of control systems to enhance system reliability and performance.
Regulatory Compliance and Reporting:
- Ensure that all automation systems meet local, state, and federal regulations governing water treatment, environmental standards, and water quality monitoring.
- Work with the regulatory compliance team to prepare reports, audits, and other documentation to demonstrate system compliance.
- Lead initiatives to ensure compliance with evolving regulations and implement system upgrades to meet new standards.
Continuous Improvement and Innovation:
- Drive initiatives to continuously improve automation systems and water treatment processes by adopting new technologies and improving system efficiency.
- Stay current with emerging trends in water systems automation, process control, and industrial technologies, integrating innovative solutions into system operations.
- Promote the adoption of advanced technologies, including AI-driven control systems, predictive maintenance, and data analytics, to improve system performance and water quality management.
Collaboration with Cross-Functional Teams:
- Collaborate with the operations, maintenance, IT, and engineering teams to ensure the seamless integration of automation systems into the overall water treatment process.
- Act as the technical lead in cross-functional projects, ensuring alignment between automation systems and other operational technologies.
- Provide training and support to operators and maintenance staff, ensuring they understand the operation and troubleshooting of automation systems.
Data Management and Performance Reporting:
- Oversee the collection, analysis, and reporting of data from SCADA systems, ensuring that data is used effectively to optimize performance and ensure regulatory compliance.
- Develop key performance indicators (KPIs) for automation systems and monitor system health, operational efficiency, and water quality metrics.
- Provide regular reports to senior management, offering insights into system performance, ongoing improvements, and opportunities for optimization.
Safety and Risk Management:
- Ensure that automation systems comply with safety protocols, minimizing risks associated with water treatment processes and control systems.
- Collaborate with safety teams to develop and implement emergency response plans and safety procedures related to automation systems.
- Ensure that automation systems and control infrastructure meet the required safety standards to prevent hazards to personnel and the environment.
Key Focus Areas:
- System Design and Optimization: Lead the design, integration, and continuous optimization of SCADA and PLC systems to ensure effective water treatment and distribution.
- Project and Team Management: Oversee and manage multiple automation projects, ensuring timely and cost-effective execution while fostering a collaborative and innovative team environment.
- Water Quality and Regulatory Compliance: Ensure all automation systems meet environmental and regulatory standards for water quality management and reporting.
- Troubleshooting and Continuous Improvement: Lead troubleshooting efforts for complex issues and drive continuous improvement through the adoption of new technologies.
- Data Management and Reporting: Oversee the collection and analysis of system data to optimize performance, meet compliance, and generate actionable insights for management.
Skills and Knowledge Required:
- Extensive experience with SCADA systems, PLCs, and other process control technologies used in water treatment plants.
- Deep understanding of water treatment processes, including chemical dosing, filtration, disinfection, and distribution networks.
- Strong experience in managing large-scale projects, optimizing automation systems, and ensuring regulatory compliance.
- Expertise in troubleshooting and resolving complex automation issues, with a focus on process control systems and instrumentation.
- Experience with data analytics and performance monitoring tools, and the ability to implement data-driven optimization strategies.
- Proven leadership and team management skills, with the ability to mentor junior engineers and lead cross-functional teams.
- Excellent communication and collaboration skills to interact with senior management, operations, and other technical teams.
Educational Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Environmental Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Control Systems Engineering, Mechatronics, or a related technical field.
- Relevant certifications in SCADA, PLC programming, water treatment processes, or industrial automation are highly desirable.
Experience:
- 7+ years of experience in automation, process control, or water treatment engineering, with a focus on SCADA, PLC, and process optimization.
- Proven experience leading automation projects and managing cross-functional teams in the water treatment or related industries.
- Strong background in water quality management, regulatory compliance, and system optimization.
Tools and Technologies:
- Expertise with SCADA platforms (e.g., Wonderware, Siemens WinCC, Ignition, Rockwell FactoryTalk).
- Proficiency in PLC programming languages and industrial control systems (e.g., Siemens, Allen-Bradley).
- Knowledge of water quality monitoring instruments (e.g., pH meters, chlorine analyzers, turbidity sensors).
- Familiarity with data analysis and performance monitoring tools (e.g., Power BI, SQL, Excel).
Other Requirements:
- Strong leadership, project management, and strategic planning skills.
- Ability to manage multiple complex projects simultaneously and prioritize tasks effectively.
- Willingness to travel as needed for project execution, system upgrades, or troubleshooting.