Opportunity

Senior PLC/SCADA Engineer - Industrial Automation Career in Columbus

Location Columbus
Company Albireo Energy
Source workable
Posted 2026-11-05 21:41:20

Career & Market Insight

This Senior Controls Design Engineer role at Albireo Energy targets seasoned automation professionals with 7+ years of experience — placing it squarely at the senior/lead individual contributor level within industrial automation. Here's what career-minded professionals should know:

Market Compensation: While no salary is listed, senior controls/automation engineers in the US typically earn $95,000–$135,000 annually, with top candidates in HVAC/building automation markets often reaching $140,000+. The absence of salary transparency is a mild yellow flag.

High-Demand Skill Development: This role builds expertise in areas experiencing rapid growth:

  • Rockwell Automation (Allen-Bradley) — dominant in North American industrial markets
  • Ignition SCADA — fast-growing platform replacing legacy systems
  • Industrial networking protocols (Ethernet/IP, PROFINET, Modbus TCP/IP) — foundational for IIoT integration
  • HVAC/building automation — a sector increasingly driven by energy efficiency mandates and smart building trends

Green Flags: Broad platform exposure (Rockwell, Emerson, GE, Schneider, Ignition), leadership of Factory Acceptance Testing, and cross-functional customer-facing responsibilities accelerate career growth toward Principal Engineer or Engineering Manager tracks.

Considerations: The 30% travel requirement may impact work-life balance. No mention of professional development budgets or certification sponsorship — worth asking about given the preferred certifications list (ISA CAP, RA Certified Programmer). Albireo Energy is a mid-size, growth-stage company in building automation, offering exposure to varied project types.

Description
The Senior Controls Design Engineer is responsible for leading the design and development of complex HVAC/industrial control systems, with a strong focus on PLC logic design, HMI/SCADA architecture, and electrical control systems engineering. This role emphasizes upfront design, programming, and documentation using industry-standard platforms including Rockwell Automation, Emerson, GE, Schneider Electric, Ignition, and others. The position requires a strong understanding of systems and a commitment to delivering high-quality design packages and control solutions.

In this position your duties will include:

  • Developing PLC logic design and programming based on control narratives, sequences of operation, and project requirements.
  • Designing HMI/SCADA system architecture, graphics, and standards.
  • Creating and reviewing detailed electrical control schematics and panel designs.
  • Preparing design documentation including I/O lists, network architectures, control narratives, and bill of materials.
  • Supporting field activities such as commissioning, functional testing, and design validation.
  • Integrating systems using a wide variety of serial and Ethernet-based industrial communication protocols.
  • Leading and/or supporting Factory Acceptance Testing and design reviews.
  • Supporting proposal development, including reviewing plans, specifications, and scope documents.
  • Presenting technical designs and solutions to customers and internal stakeholders.
  • Preparing technical reports and design deliverables.

Position Parameters: This role requires approximately 30% national travel, including travel to client sites, regional offices, and project locations as needed to support business operations.

Requirements

  • 7+ years of PLC/PAC logic design and programming experience using IEC-61131 languages.
  • 7+ years of HMI/SCADA system design experience, including multi-node or distributed architectures.
  • 5+ years of electrical design experience related to control panels and industrial automation systems.
  • Demonstrated experience with industrial communication protocols including Modbus TCP/IP, Ethernet/IP, PROFINET, and serial equivalents.
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills.
  • Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Robotics, Computer Science, or related field; or equivalent demonstrated experience.

Preferred Certifications (or willingness to obtain):

  • Rockwell Automation Certified Programmer or equivalent RA technical certifications (e.g., ControlLogix/Studio 5000).
  • Siemens or Schneider Electric automation certifications.
  • ISA certifications such as ISA CAP (Certified Automation Professional).
  • Ignition (Inductive Automation) Core or Gold Certification.
  • UL 508A Industrial Control Panel certification familiarity (designer-level knowledge).
  • OSHA 10 or OSHA 30 safety certification.

Benefits

  • Medical Insurance
  • Dental Insurance
  • Vision Insurance
  • Basic Life Insurance
  • Voluntary Life Insurance
  • Short Term & Long Term Disability
  • Paid Vacation
  • Paid Sick Time
  • Paid Holidays
  • 401K with Company Match

Pre-Employment Requirements:
All offers of employment are contingent upon successful completion of applicable pre-employment screenings, which may include a background check and drug screening, conducted in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws. Positions where driving is an essential function will also require a satisfactory Motor Vehicle Record (MVR).

Work Authorization:
Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States.

Agency Submissions:
Albireo Energy does not accept unsolicited candidate submissions from third-party recruiting agencies. Candidate ownership will only be recognized when submitted under an active, authorized agreement and through our official Applicant Tracking System. Submissions received without a prior agreement will be considered the property of Albireo Energy.

Albireo Energy is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this Senior Controls Design Engineer role fully remote?
No. The role requires approximately 30% national travel to client sites, regional offices, and project locations. No remote or hybrid work arrangement is specified in the job posting.
What PLC platforms does Albireo Energy use for this role?
The role involves industry-standard platforms including Rockwell Automation (ControlLogix/Studio 5000), Emerson, GE, Schneider Electric, and Ignition (Inductive Automation). Experience with IEC-61131 languages is required.
What is the salary range for this position?
No salary range is listed in the job posting. Candidates are encouraged to discuss compensation during the interview process.
Are certifications required, or just preferred?
Certifications such as Rockwell Automation Certified Programmer, ISA CAP, Ignition Core/Gold, and OSHA 10/30 are listed as preferred — not required. The posting notes a willingness to obtain them is acceptable.
What are the work authorization requirements for this role?
Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States. The posting does not mention visa sponsorship.
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