Industrial Controls Estimator/Automation Specialist in Development

Design Solutions & Integration•Sioux Falls, SD

4d•$25 - $30

About The Position

Design Solutions and Integration (DSI), an employee-owned company providing automation, electrical, and mechanical services to energy partners, is hiring an Industrial Controls Estimator/Automation Specialist. The role develops accurate cost estimates for industrial control panel builds, automation services, and instrumentation projects, coordinating with internal teams and external vendors to determine material, labor, and project costs and to support effective project handoffs. The position offers professional development through exposure to industrial automation, PLC systems, SCADA, and system integration. As project schedules allow, the employee may shadow an experienced system integrator during field service work and gain experience with troubleshooting, controls manufacturers, instrumentation, and industrial processes. The intended career path is to progress beyond estimating into automation and system integration; remaining exclusively in estimating long term is not the intended path. Travel during the estimating phase is occasional and generally local, for service work, equipment evaluations, and field training. Travel is expected to increase as automation and system integration responsibilities develop and may include overnight travel, extended stays, and rotations of up to two weeks at company-operated remote locations. The typical schedule is 32–40 hours per week. Compensation is $25–$30 per hour.

Requirements

Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines.
Intermediate proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including formulas, sorting, filtering, and spreadsheet management.
Working knowledge of Microsoft Windows, general computer troubleshooting, and file management.
General understanding of computer networking concepts, including IP addressing, Ethernet communications, and network connectivity.
Ability to read and interpret technical drawings, electrical schematics, and equipment documentation.
Strong written and verbal communication skills.
Willingness and ability to meet the travel requirements associated with progressing into automation and system integration responsibilities.
Genuine interest in developing technical skills and progressing beyond estimating into industrial automation, PLC systems, SCADA, and system integration.

Nice To Haves

An Associate of Applied Science degree in Automation Controls, SCADA, Industrial Automation, or a related technical discipline is strongly preferred.
Graduates of programs such as Mitchell Technical College’s Automation Controls / SCADA program are encouraged to apply.

Responsibilities

Develop project estimates for industrial control panel builds, automation services, and instrumentation.
Create and maintain estimation numbers based on material requirements, vendor pricing, and anticipated labor hours.
Develop bills of materials or use supplied bills of materials to obtain vendor pricing.
Estimate labor requirements and anticipated project completion timeframes.
Coordinate with procurement, panel shop, and automation teams to validate project costs and requirements.
Provide accurate, organized project handoffs to team leads after completing the estimating process.
Develop knowledge of industrial automation, PLC systems, and SCADA applications.
Develop system integration knowledge and capabilities through internal training and project exposure.
Shadow local system integrators during field service activities when scheduling and project demands allow.
Gain exposure to troubleshooting methods, industrial control manufacturers, instrumentation, and industrial processes.
Develop, modify, and maintain electrical drawings, control panel layouts, wiring diagrams, and other project documentation as required.
Assist with drawing revisions and documentation updates to reflect project changes, equipment selections, and final installations.