Industrial Controls Estimator/Automation Specialist in Development

Design Solutions & Integration•Sioux Falls, SD

About The Position

Design Solutions and Integration (DSI) is an employee-owned company providing automation, electrical, and mechanical services to energy partners. The Industrial Controls Estimator develops cost estimates for industrial control panel builds, automation services, and instrumentation projects. The role works with internal teams and external vendors to determine material, labor, and project costs, and supports accurate project handoffs. The position is intended to provide professional development beyond estimating, with exposure to industrial automation, PLC systems, SCADA, and system integration. When scheduling and project demands allow, the employee may shadow experienced system integrators during field service work to gain hands-on exposure to troubleshooting, controls manufacturers, instrumentation, and industrial processes. Travel is generally local during the estimating phase and may increase—including overnight travel, extended stays, and rotations of up to two weeks at company-operated remote locations—as the employee takes on automation and system integration responsibilities. The schedule is typically 32–40 hours per week, and the listed pay 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.
Genuine interest in developing technical skills and progressing beyond estimating into industrial automation, PLC systems, SCADA, and system integration.
Willingness and ability to accommodate the travel requirements associated with the automation role as responsibilities progress.

Nice To Haves

An Associate of Applied Science degree in Automation Controls, SCADA, Industrial Automation, or a related technical discipline is strongly preferred.
An AAS from a program such as Mitchell Technical College's Automation Controls / SCADA program is encouraged.

Responsibilities

Develop project estimates for industrial control panel builds, automation services, and instrumentation.
Create and maintain estimation figures using 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 expected 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 estimating is complete.
Develop an understanding of industrial automation, PLC systems, and SCADA applications.
Build system integration knowledge and capabilities through internal training and project exposure.
Shadow local system integrators during field service activities when schedules 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.