Lead Automation Engineer

Requisition ID: 106656

Embrace Our Mission. Be Authentic. Feel Appreciated.

At American Water, our employees are the core of our operations. We offer a competitive salary along with a comprehensive health benefits package, alongside numerous opportunities for professional development and career advancement. Our benefits focus on essential areas such as health and wellness, emotional well-being, and financial savings for both current and future aspirations.

We are Uniquely Diverse. We firmly believe that diversity within our organization enhances our success and enables us to deliver vital services to our clients. Our strength lies in our ability to embrace a variety of ideas, perspectives, experiences, and backgrounds. American Water is the ideal choice for your next career move. For further insights into our commitment to inclusion, diversity, and equity, please visit our website.

About American Water
American Water (NYSE: AWK) stands as the largest regulated water and wastewater utility in the United States. With roots tracing back to 1886, we ensure the continuous flow of life by providing safe, clean, reliable, and affordable drinking water and wastewater services to over 14 million individuals across 14 regulated jurisdictions and 18 military installations. Our 6,500 skilled professionals utilize their extensive expertise and the company's national scale to achieve outstanding results for our customers, employees, investors, and stakeholders.

As one of the rapidly expanding utilities in the U.S., American Water plans to invest between $30 to $34 billion in infrastructure improvements, system resilience, and regulated acquisitions over the next decade. The company has a long-standing history of executing its core operations in alignment with sustainable best practices, emphasizing safety, affordability, customer service, environmental protection, an inclusive workforce, and community enhancement.

American Water has been recognized on the 2023 Bloomberg Gender-Equality Index for the fifth consecutive year, ranked 18th on Barron's 100 Most Sustainable U.S. Companies 2023 List, and has received accolades such as the U.S. Department of Homeland Security SAFETY Act designation and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's WaterSense Excellence Award, among other local, state, and national recognitions.

For additional information, please visit our website.

**This position can report to either Davenport IA or Clinton IA of Iowa American Water offices**

Accountable for the implementation, maintenance, and support of the automation and process control infrastructure (SCADA). Provide expert assistance and collaborate in the creation of engineering plans, designs, monitoring, construction, and commissioning of automation and process control systems. Understand and apply innovative technological systems and various vendor products to develop and support cutting-edge system solutions that align with operational and business needs. Assist in establishing standards, practices, and policies related to the installation, maintenance, and operation of automation and process control systems. Develop, deploy, and maintain both standard and custom programming and configuration code for the automation and process control systems. Provide second-level support for maintaining the automation and process control infrastructure, which includes on-call as well as on-site assistance when necessary. Manage automation and process control system projects as required. Conduct quality assurance checks of automation and process control systems as needed. Supervise direct reports as necessary.

#LI-JS1

• Collaborate effectively with design engineers, operations personnel, and other internal staff on the design, review, information gathering, inspection, and commissioning/start-up of projects that involve process control equipment or systems.
• Execute projects from conception to start-up within budget and project timelines.
• Develop programming and configuration code for process control systems, modify existing programs, review work performed by external contractors, participate in factory witness testing, and coordinate control system issues between project engineering, the instrumentation contractor, and American Water management.
• Review control logic strategies and implement programming modifications to optimize control strategies for treatment and pumping processes and automate where suitable.
• Support and Administration:
  • Perform or coordinate maintenance activities on process control equipment or systems.
  • Implement upgrades, add new facilities, and provide replacement of hardware and software.
  • Troubleshoot and resolve control system issues.
  • Investigate new technological advancements and processes.
  • Research, recommend, and implement systems to enhance functionality and reliability.
  • Advise, instruct, and/or assist operating company personnel on the proper operation and maintenance of Process Control equipment or Systems. Provide technical instruction as necessary.
  • Collaborate with operations personnel to implement appropriate policies, standards, practices, and guidelines for all phases of Process Control implementation and maintenance.
  • Work with members of the operating company to enforce compliance with mandatory Process Control policies and procedures.
  • Make recommendations to modify standards and methods to improve processes and outcomes.
  • Provide supervision and/or support for Controls Engineer or Controls Specialist staff members as required.
• Change Management:
  • Ensure adherence to the Change Management process.
  • Enforce process control system life cycle practices. Vendor Relationships:
  • Develop and maintain relationships with Process Control vendors to stay updated on changes in operational control systems.
  • Review vendor specifications, report findings, and make recommendations.

• Strong understanding of P&IDs, control elementary drawings, ISA instrument specifications, and loop diagrams.
• Working knowledge of industrial control system platforms including PLC/DCS/HMI programming/design/configuration.
• Familiarity with process computers and data collection methods. Understanding of PC Networking technology, telemetry methods, and historical archiving databases.
• Strong knowledge of project management and application development methodologies and tools.
• Proficient in business applications, Microsoft Office products, and productivity tools (e.g., MS Word, MS Project, Excel, PowerPoint, Lotus Notes).
• Demonstrated knowledge of engineering concepts and their application; experience with water/wastewater equipment and systems operations preferred.
• Working knowledge of electrical, mechanical, and instrumentation process control equipment and systems.
• Proven ability to configure programmable process controllers PLCs/RTUs (Allen – Bradley, Modicon, Rockwell Automation, Siemens, Emerson).
• Demonstrated ability to configure HMI with Iconics, Intellution, or Wonderware.
• Ability to develop Process Control Functional descriptions.
• Proven ability to solve complex process control challenges related to water/wastewater systems.
• Proficient in identifying, planning, scheduling, conducting, and coordinating detailed phases of Capital Projects.
• Proficient with data communications systems, protocols, wired and wireless network systems, and radio telemetry.
• Strong organizational and time management skills with a keen attention to detail.
• Excellent interpersonal, people, and management skills (e.g., listening, coaching, facilitating, tact/diplomacy, employee relations, development, motivation, team building).
• Ability to prioritize and manage multiple projects simultaneously and adapt to changes in priority efficiently.
• Excellent client relations skills and customer service orientation.
• Exceptional planning, time management, and organizational skills.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, including presentation expertise and the ability to convey complex issues clearly.
• Quickly assesses options and likely consequences when under time pressure to make decisions or solve problems.

• Four-year (4) degree or equivalent.
• Significant additional experience and/or certifications or other education and training may be substituted for formal education.
• Minimum five (5) years of experience in the maintenance, troubleshooting, calibration, repair, and installation of Process Control Systems (SCADA and DCS), configuration and programming of PLCs/RTUs (Allen – Bradley, Modicon, Rockwell Automation, Siemens, Emerson) and HMIs (Iconics, Intellution, Wonderware), control and instrument loops.
• Experience with data communications systems, protocols, wired and wireless network systems, and radio telemetry.
• Experience with OPC, Visual Basic, and SQL applications.

• Travel, including overnight, as required.

• Operating Facilities – Multi District/State Coverage Area. Requires "on-call" out of hours support during evenings, nights, holidays, and weekends.

American Water is firmly committed to Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) and prohibits employment discrimination for employees and applicants based on his or her age, race, color, pregnancy, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, marital status, citizenship, or because they are an individual with a disability, protected veteran or other status protected by federal, state, and local laws.