Automation specialist Jobs in Elgin, IL

Requisition ID: 109704

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People are the heart of our business. As an American Water employee, you will be offered a competitive salary and health benefits package, along with opportunities to develop, grow, and evolve your career. Our benefits packages focus on key areas such as health & wellness, emotional & well-being, and savings for current & future goals.

We are Beautifully Different. We strongly believe having diversity across our company makes us more successful and helps us provide essential services to our customers. We are stronger because we embrace different ideas, viewpoints, experiences, and backgrounds. American Water is the best choice for your next role! Click here for more information on our inclusion, diversity, and equity journey.

About American Water
American Water (NYSE: AWK) is the largest regulated water and wastewater utility company in the United States. With a history dating back to 1886 and celebrating 140 years in 2026, We Keep Life Flowing® by providing safe, clean, reliable and affordable drinking water and wastewater services to approximately 14 million people with regulated operations in 14 states and on 18 military installations. American Water’s approximately 7,000 talented professionals leverage their significant expertise and the company’s national size and scale to achieve excellent outcomes for the benefit of customers, employees, investors and other stakeholders.

For more information, visit amwater.com and join American Water on LinkedIn, Facebook, X and Instagram.

Job Information

Salary Range: $86,490 - $102,290

The base salary range represents a good faith salary range for this position. This position is eligible for annual incentive pay and has the opportunity for continued salary growth. If you are hired at American Water your base salary compensation will be determined based on factors such as market, geography, skills, education and/or experience. At American Water, we are committed to pay equity. In addition to compensation, you will be offered a comprehensive benefits package including 401(k), Defined Contribution Plan, Employee Stock Purchase Plan, medical, prescription, dental and vision coverage, plus disability, paid time off, life insurance, voluntary benefits, health and wellness programs and much more!

American Water is also proud to offer employees learning opportunities and work experiences to grow professionally!

Primary Role

Responsible for implementing, maintaining and supporting the automation & process control infrastructure (SCADA). Provide expert assistance and collaboration in creating engineering plans, designs, monitoring, building and commissioning of automation & process control systems. Understand and apply new technological systems and multiple vendor products to develop and support innovative system solutions that match operational and business requirements. Assist in the development of standards, practices and policies related to the installation, maintenance and operations of automation & process control systems. Develop, deploy and maintain standard and custom programming and configuration code for the automation & process control systems. Provide second level support for maintaining the automation & process control infrastructure, which may include off-hours and/or on-site support when required. Manage automation & process control system projects as required. Perform quality assurance checks of automation & process control systems as required. Manage system integration partners and relationships.

Key Accountabilities

• Work collaboratively with design engineers, operations personnel, and other internal staff on the design, review, information gathering, inspection, and commissioning / start-up of projects that include process control equipment, or SCADA systems.
• Ability to execute projects from conception to start-up within budget and project schedule.
• Develop programming and configuration code for process control systems, make changes to existing programs, review work performed by outside contractors, participate in factory acceptance testing, and coordinate control system issues between project engineering, the instrumentation contractor, and operations.
• Review control logic strategies and implement programming changes to optimize control strategies for treatment and pumping processes and automate where appropriate.
• Perform or coordinate maintenance activities on process control equipment or SCADA system.
• Perform upgrades, add new facilities, and provide replacement of hardware and software.
• Troubleshoot and resolve control system issues.
• Investigate new technological developments and processes.
• Research, recommend, and implement systems to enhance Systems functionality and reliability.
• Advise, instruct, and/or assist operating company personnel on proper operation and maintenance of Process Control equipment or Systems. Provide Technical instruction as required.
• Ensure compliance to policies and procedures.
• Make recommendations to change standards and methods to improve processes and results.
• Develop and maintain relationship with system integrators and other partners/vendors
• Review vendor specifications, report findings and make recommendations.

Knowledge/Skills

• Strong knowledge 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.
• Knowledge of industrial computers and data collection methods. Understanding of PC Networking technology, telemetry methods and historical archiving databases and historians.
• Knowledge of project management and application development methodologies and tools.
• Knowledge of business applications, Microsoft Office products and productivity tools (e.g. MS Word, MS Project, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Demonstrative knowledge of engineering concepts and their application; water/wastewater equipment and systems operations preferred.
• Working knowledge of electrical, mechanical, and instrumentation process control equipment and systems.
• Demonstrated ability to configure programmable process controllers PLCs / RTUs, to include Allen-Bradley/Rockwell (preferred), Bristol Babcock, Modicon, Siemens, Emerson.
• Demonstrated ability to configure HMI systems, to include Ignition (preferred), Iconics, GE/Intellution, Wonderware.
• Ability to develop Process Control Functional descriptions.
• Demonstrated ability to solve complex process control problems related to water / wastewater systems.
• Proficient with identifying, planning, scheduling, conducting, and coordinating detailed phases of Capital Projects.
• Proficient with data communications systems, protocols, wired and wireless network systems, and cellular and radio telemetry.
• Excellent interpersonal and team contributor skills.
• Ability to prioritize and manage multiple projects simultaneously and adapt to changes in priority efficiently.
• Excellent client relations skills and customer service orientation.
• Excellent planning, time management and organization skills with attention to detail.
• Good verbal and written communications skills, including presentation expertise and the ability to communicate complex issues clearly.

Experience/Education

• 5+ years of demonstrated experience in maintenance, troubleshooting, calibration, repair and installation of Process Control Systems (SCADA and DCS), configuration and programming of PLCs / RTU preferred.
• Experience with data communications systems, protocols, wired and wireless network systems, and cellular and radio telemetry.
• Experience with OPC and/or programming languages
• Four-year (4) degree or equivalent experience and/or certifications or other education and training may be substituted.

Travel Requirements

• Operating Facilities – Multi District Area.
• Requires“on-call” out of hours support during evenings, nights, holidays and weekends.

Join American Water...We Keep Life Flowing™

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.