Automation Specialist

The Judge Group is seeking a skilled Controls Engineer to join our team in Starkville, MS.

We are looking for a highly motivated and experienced Controls Engineer to develop, implement, and maintain control systems at our manufacturing plant. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in industrial controls, continuous processes, and programming languages such as VBA/VB, C++, and ladder logic.

• Develop and install process control applications (DCS & PLCs) across the Hamilton facility.
• Ensure new process control installations adhere to standards.
• Develop simulations, testing, and training for control systems.
• Create and implement new automation controls.
• Maintain a 5-year/10-year rolling plan for hardware/software to prevent obsolescence.
• Develop and implement plant standards for process controls.
• Participate in the design, planning, construction, supervision, and commissioning of approved plant upgrades.
• Manage support contracts for DCS & PLC systems, including hardware and software upgrades.
• Oversee the Modular Exchange Program (MEP) for warranty-covered hardware.
• Assist Process Engineers with Alarm Management, including reducing nuisance alarms and reporting Alarm KPIs.
• Program using standard control blocks, ladder logic, and high-level batch language sequence code.
• Support the development of Advanced Process Control (APC) through local and global initiatives.
• Participate in and support Center of Excellence (CoE) teams for Process Controls when requested.
• Develop and enforce standards for graphic designs, tag configuration, alarming, and communication between control systems.
• Assist with developing and implementing Safety Instrumented functions to mitigate risks identified in HAZOP/LOPA studies.
• Develop, install, and maintain third-party software applications for control systems, such as Excel VBA Reporting, AIM*AT Historian, OSI PI Historian, and ExperTune.

• Bachelor's Degree in a relevant Engineering field or Computer Science-related discipline.
• Experience with DCS and Allen Bradley PLC or equivalent hardware systems.
• Experience in industrial controls and continuous processes.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to work in a highly collaborative and team-oriented environment.
• Programming experience with applications such as VBA/VB, C++, Sequential Logic, Ladder Logic, etc.

• Alarm Management
• Triconex Safety PLC System
• Integrating and Networking PCs and PLCs (TCP/IP, Ethernet)
• Fieldbus Communication Networks (DeviceNet, Profibus, Modbus, Ethernet, etc.)