Controls Engineer | Remote in Nashville, TN

Controls Engineer

Remote in Nashville, TN (with 50% travel to sites)

About the role:

About a 50/50 split between development/support work and field work, with heavy emphasis on being onsite in plants. Client is open to someone more junior or lower-cost if they can handle cutovers, startup work, QA/QC testing, and sit in front of a PLC/HMI to validate points and functionality.

Responsibilities

Lead and support startup and commissioning for PLC, HMI, and SCADA systems

Execute system cutovers with minimal impact to plant operations

Perform on-site troubleshooting of controls, instrumentation, and automation systems

Conduct QA/QC validation against design specs and operational requirements

Verify PLC/HMI points, I/O mapping, alarms, indications, and communications

Test and validate control sequences, interlocks, and field devices before turnover

Support startup of wastewater utility systems through to full operation

Qualifications

5+ years of Controls Engineering experience in industrial automation

Hands-on Ignition SCADA development, configuration, and troubleshooting

Strong PLC programming knowledge (Allen-Bradley/Rockwell preferred)

Startup, commissioning, FAT/SAT, and cutover experience

Able to troubleshoot PLCs, HMIs, instrumentation, and industrial networks

QA/QC process familiarity for industrial automation projects

Water/wastewater experience preferred; other industrial or process automation backgrounds welcome

Determining compensation for this role (and others) at Vaco/Highspring depends upon a wide array of factors including but not limited to the individual's skill sets, experience and training, licensure and certifications, office location and other geographic considerations, as well as other business and organizational needs. With that said, as required by local law in geographies that require salary range disclosure, Vaco/Highspring notes the salary range for the role is noted in this job posting. The individual may also be eligible for discretionary bonuses, and can participate in medical, dental, and vision benefits as well as the company's 401(k) retirement plan. Additional disclaimer: Unless otherwise noted in the job description, the position Vaco/Highspring is filing for is occupied. Please note, however, that Vaco/Highspring is regularly asked to provide talent to other organizations. By submitting to this position, you are agreeing to be included in our talent pool for future hiring for similarly qualified positions. Submissions to this position are subject to the use of AI to perform preliminary candidate screenings, focused on ensuring minimum job requirements noted in the position are satisfied. Further assessment of candidates beyond this initial phase within Vaco/Highspring will be otherwise assessed by recruiters and hiring managers. Vaco/Highspring does not have knowledge of the tools used by its clients in making final hiring decisions and cannot opine on their use of AI products. Essential Duties and Responsibilities Design, develop, configure, and modify industrial control systems and automation software. Program and troubleshoot PLCs, HMIs, SCADA systems, robotics, and industrial communication networks. Perform systems analysis to determine hardware, software, and operational specifications for automated manufacturing and process systems. Develop functional specifications, control narratives, electrical schematics, and software documentation. Lead commissioning, startup, validation, and testing activities for automated systems. Analyze system performance data and implement software and controls improvements to enhance efficiency, reliability, and safety. Integrate automation systems with enterprise software, databases, MES, and manufacturing systems. Collaborate with operations, maintenance, engineering, and vendors to develop technical solutions for production and process challenges. Exercise independent judgment in diagnosing and resolving highly complex system and programming issues. Provide technical leadership and guidance to technicians, contractors, and junior engineering staff. Manage automation projects, timelines, budgets, and technical deliverables. Ensure compliance with safety standards, regulatory requirements, and company engineering practices.

Equal Opportunity Notice

Highspring LLC (d/b/a Vaco by Highspring) and its parents, affiliates, and subsidiaries ("we," "our," or "Vaco by Highspring") are committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race (including but not limited to traits historically associated with race such as hair texture and hair style), color, sex (includes pregnancy or related conditions), religion or creed, national origin, citizenship, age, disability, status as a veteran, union membership, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, marital status, political affiliation, or any other protected characteristics as required by applicable law. The company is also committed to ensuring that persons who need them are provided with reasonable accommodations; if an accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, please contact HR@vaco.com .

Vaco by Highspring also wants all applicants to know their rights that workplace discrimination is illegal .

Representation Notice

By submitting to this position, you agree that you will be giving Vaco by Highspring the exclusive right to present your as a candidate for the foregoing employment opportunity. Additionally, you agree to be included in our talent pool for future hiring for similarly qualified positions. You further agree that you have represented information about yourself accurately and have not affirmatively misrepresented your qualifications. Lastly, you agree to maintain as confidential, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any information you learn from Vaco by Highspring about the position and you will limit disclosure of information about the position only to the extent necessary to perform any obligations in furtherance of your application. In exchange, Vaco by Highspring agrees to exercise reasonable efforts to represent you through all solicitation, job screening and resume dispersal.

For residents of Ontario, Canada only: to the extent the position for employment is not with Highspring or not otherwise noted as vacant above, candidate should be informed that this role is to replace a presently employed person at Vaco by Highspring's client.

Privacy Notice

Vaco by Highspring respects your privacy and are committed to providing transparent notice of our policies.

• California residents may access Vaco by Highspring HR Notice at Collection for California Applicants and Employees here .

• Virginia residents may access our state specific policies here .

• Residents of all other states may access our policies here .

• Canadian residents may access our policies in English here and in French here .

• Residents of countries governed by GDPR and UK GDPR may access our policies here .

Additionally, submissions to this position are subject to the use of AI to perform preliminary candidate screenings, focused on ensuring minimum job requirements noted in the position are satisfied. More details about Vaco by Highspring's use of AI can be found here ( https://www.highspring.com/ai-use-notices/ ). Further assessment of candidates beyond this initial phase will be conducted by recruiters and hiring managers. Vaco by Highspring does not know and cannot opine on if its client's use of AI products in hiring.

Pay Transparency Notice

Determining compensation for this role (and others) at Vaco by Highspring depends upon a wide array of factors including but not limited to:

· the individual's skill sets, experience and training;

· licensure and certification requirements;

· office location and other geographic considerations; and

· other business and organizational needs.

With that said, as required by local law, Vaco by Highspring believes that the following salary range referenced above reasonably estimates the base compensation for an individual hired into this position in geographies that require salary range disclosure. The individual may also be eligible for discretionary bonuses and/or participation in medical, dental, and vision benefits as well as the company's retirement plan (or similar retirement benefits).