Automation & Controls / Instrumentation Engineer

MartinFed • Beltsville, MD

1d • Onsite

About The Position

MartinFed is seeking a highly motivated Automation & Controls / Instrumentation Engineer to support the design, implementation, maintenance, and continuous improvement of industrial automation, data acquisition, and instrumentation systems used in fire testing and research laboratories. The successful candidate will develop, troubleshoot, and maintain PLC-based control systems, SCADA/HMI applications, program VBA, C and SQL program languages, industrial instrumentation, and data acquisition systems while ensuring reliable operation, accurate data collection, and compliance with laboratory testing requirements. This role requires willingness to learn new technical devices and flexibility to collaborate with laboratory personnel to support testing operations and modernization projects.

Requirements

• U.S. Citizen with the ability to obtain and maintain a DOJ security clearance.
• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Controls Engineering, Automation Engineering, Instrumentation Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related technical field with at least 7 years of relevant experience; or a Master's degree with at least 5 years of relevant experience.
• Demonstrated experience designing, programming, troubleshooting, and maintaining industrial automation and control systems.
• Hands-on experience with PLC-based control systems, including programming, configuration, troubleshooting, and I/O integration.
• Experience working with industrial instrumentation and sensors, including installation, calibration, signal verification, and troubleshooting.
• Experience with SCADA/HMI systems used for equipment monitoring, control, and data visualization.
• Working knowledge of industrial communication protocols and networks, such as EtherNet/IP, Modbus TCP/RTU, and/or OPC.
• Experience with data acquisition (DAQ) systems and analog/digital signal acquisition.
• Ability to read and interpret electrical schematics, wiring diagrams, P&IDs, control drawings, and technical documentation.
• Experience troubleshooting integrated systems involving PLCs, instrumentation, electrical controls, networks, and software.
• Experience supporting system commissioning, testing, validation, preventive maintenance, and/or laboratory operations.
• Working knowledge of programming/scripting and data-management technologies such as VBA, C/C++, SQL, or similar languages.
• Strong analytical, troubleshooting, documentation, and communication skills, with the ability to work directly with engineers, technicians, and laboratory personnel.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with Allen-Bradley ControlLogix/CompactLogix PLCs and Studio 5000, including Ladder Logic and Structured Text.
• Experience with SCADA/HMI systems such as GE iFIX, FactoryTalk View, or Ignition, including OPC DA/UA.
• Knowledge of industrial networking and communications, including EtherNet/IP and Modbus TCP/RTU.
• Hands-on experience with DAQ systems, instrumentation, sensor calibration, and analog/digital I/O.
• Experience with SQL Server, data historians, Excel/VBA, and C/C++ or similar programming languages.
• Ability to read and troubleshoot electrical schematics, control panels, wiring, and integrated automation systems.
• Experience in a laboratory, R&D, testing, or industrial environment preferred.

Responsibilities

• Design, program, configure, troubleshoot, and maintain PLC-based automation and control systems, including analog and digital I/O.
• Develop and maintain SCADA/HMI applications, industrial networks, and communication interfaces including EtherNet/IP, Modbus, and OPC.
• Design, configure, and support data acquisition (DAQ) systems, instrumentation, sensors, and automated data collection systems.
• Install, calibrate, maintain, and troubleshoot laboratory instrumentation including temperature, pressure, flow, load cell, heat flux, gas analysis, and humidity sensors.
• Support SQL databases, data historians, and engineering applications used to collect, process, and analyze test data.
• Perform system commissioning, validation, preventive maintenance, and troubleshooting to ensure reliable operation.
• Develop and maintain engineering documentation, wiring diagrams, procedures, and system configuration records.
• Provide hands-on technical support during laboratory testing and research activities and collaborate with laboratory personnel on system improvements and modernization.

Benefits

• Customer-focused, performance-based solutions using technology and an empowered workforce as an engine to drive its customers' missions.
• Invest in our people because they are our greatest asset.
• Cultivate our purpose, embody and reflect our core values, and define our culture.
• Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer.
• Qualified individuals with a disability or disabled veteran have the right to request a reasonable accommodation if they are unable or limited in their ability to use or access MartinFederal's current openings as a result of their disability.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior