Control Systems Engineer

CONTROL SYSTEMS ENGINEER 

Come join the Colorado Springs Utilities team!  The Operations Technical Services Department’s System Monitoring, Diagnostics and Controls Group is seeking to enhance the section's existing engineering expertise with a dedicated control systems engineer who possesses experience in all aspects of control systems, instrumentation, automation, design, installation, and maintenance.  

As the Control Systems Engineer, you will have the opportunity to lead the design, installation, commissioning, and continuous improvement of control systems for a variety of industrial process applications across our four service lines (electric, gas, water, and wastewater.)  In this job, you will support all service lines with automation and control system needs.  You will engage with operations, maintenance, and engineering staff to ensure the reliable operation of critical utility processes.

This position will be filled at the Engineer II level.

Key Focus Areas:

• Technical lead for the design, installation, commissioning, and maintenance of control systems upgrades, new installations, and modifications in a variety of industrial process settings
• Project management for control system projects
• Support the implementation and maintenance of cybersecurity requirements within the control networks
• Provide technical guidance and direction for the standardization of control systems and operational technology network architecture throughout the enterprise
• Specification and procurement of control systems, instrumentation, and supporting equipment
• Provide guidance to support troubleshooting, control loop tuning, and control strategy optimization 
• Analyze plant processes, to design and implement improvements
• Develop, review, and approve testing processes and procedures
• Develop technical training material and provide mentoring for engineering staff to broaden the section's control system knowledge and capabilities
• Program and configure in a variety of industrial automation applications, including DCS, PLC, HMI, SCADA, and databases
• Prepare, maintain, and submit reports
• Perform short and long-range planning on future projects
• Train field and support engineers, and serve as a resource

Who You Are...An energetic self-starter with a focus on continuous improvement, enjoys working in a collaborative environment, and possesses strong communication skills with proficiency in control systems in one or more of the following industries: energy, utilities, oil/gas, or other industrial process areas. Additionally, a Bachelor of Engineering degree is required.

A valid, unrestricted driver's license is required for this role.

Additionally, the ideal candidate will have experience with the following:

Highly desired:

• Programming and/or configuration of the PLC, DCS, and HMI environments, including but not limited to Emerson Ovation, Emerson DeltaV, GE Mark VIe, Allen-Bradley, GE Cimplicity, FactoryTalk SE and ME
• Information technology infrastructure components as they relate to industrial automation systems
• Experience with Modbus, LON, Ethernet IP, Profibus, Foundation Fieldbus and other industrial communication protocols

Valued:

• IT/OT interface with experience specifically dealing with cybersecurity
• Hardware and software design development for process and energy-based applications
• Control system lifecycle phases
• Experience with safety instrument system (SIS) design, development, and installation

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS/WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Exerts up to 20 lbs. of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 lbs. of force frequently, and/or a small amount of force constantly to move objects. Physical demands exceed those required for Sedentary Work. Even though the weight lifted may be only a small amount, a job should be rated Light Work when it requires walking or standing to a significant degree or when it requires sitting most of the time, but entails pushing and/or pulling of arm or leg controls and/or when the job requires working at a production rate pace entailing the constant pushing and/or pulling of materials even though the weight of those materials is small. NOTE: The constant stress and strain of maintaining a production rate pace, especially in an industrial setting, can be and is physically demanding work even though the amount of force exerted is negligible.
• Positions in this class typically require climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, reaching, standing, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting, grasping, talking, hearing, seeing, and repetitive motions. Incumbents may be subjected to moving mechanical parts, vibrations, fumes, odors, dusts, gases, poor ventilation, chemicals, oils, extreme temperatures, workspace restrictions, and intense noises.

The military job codes/duty codes most closely related to this role are:  120A, 12A, 51S, 881A, 32E1, 32E2, 32E3, 32E4, 32EX, 5311, 5904, 5310, 122, 5960, 8004, 144, 1301, 1302, 1310, 2070, 6004, 6005, 9620, 9622, 9624, 9626, 9630, 9631, 9632    

Our Commitment to Our Employees…
Our people are the heart and soul of Colorado Springs Utilities.  They keep the lights on, gas flowing, water coming in, and wastewater leaving.  We don't just say people are important – we prove it!  That’s why we are honored to invest in protecting the health and financial security of our employees and their families through our rich benefits program.

Time Off to Recharge

• Vacation – Start with 13 days annually, increasing to 24 days with tenure
• Personal Leave –3 days per year
• Paid Holidays –12 paid holidays per year
• Sick Leave – 12 days per year for personal or family health needs
• Vacation Buy – Option to purchase up to 40 additional hours annually

Health & Wellness – Benefits elected are effective the first of the following month

• Medical Plans: Three comprehensive options, including a $0 premium High-Deductible Health Plan (HDHP) with Health Savings Account (HSA) eligibility
• Zero Health: Access to hundreds of medical services at no cost
• Dental & Vision: Two dental plans and one vision plan
• Family Building-Benefits: Support for fertility, preservation, adoption, and surrogacy
• Wellness Program: A voluntary program that rewards you for prioritizing self-care! If you're enrolled in a our medical plan, you and your spouse can earn up to $600 in HRA or HSA contributions by completing healthy activities
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA): Pre-tax contributions for healthcare and dependent care expenses
• Health Savings Account (HSA): Available with HDHP

Financial & Retirement Security

• Pension Plan: Colorado PERA provides retirement benefits and peace of mind
• Supplemental Retirement Plans: PERAPlus 401(k), MissionSquare Roth IRA, and 457 plans
• Disability Coverage: Short-Term and Long-Term Disability insurance available
• Life Insurance: Employer-paid coverage with optional supplemental plans
• Long-Term Care Insurance: Available for purchase to support extended care needs

Additional Support

• Employee Assistance Program (EAP): Confidential support for mental health, stress, legal, financial, and work-life balance
• Tuition Reimbursement: Up to $5,250  annually to support continued education
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness: As a qualifying employer, your student loan payments may be eligible for loan forgiveness