Sr. SCADA Engineer

Panasonic•Sparks, NV

4d•Onsite

About The Position

The Sr. SCADA Engineer leads the development, implementation, and management of Panasonic’s SCADA system at its Gigafactory. The role manages documentation of system infrastructure and methods, establishes and manages workflows, and improves SCADA performance to support business objectives. The engineer designs, develops, and maintains SCADA/HMI applications using Ignition SCADA Vision and Perspective. The role builds standardized HMI screens for battery manufacturing processes, integrates the system with PLCs, field devices, databases, and third-party systems, and develops reusable templates and standards for consistency and scalability. The engineer collaborates with Controls, MES, IT, and Process Engineering teams and contributes to digital manufacturing and Industry 4.0 roadmaps. As a technical leader, the role reviews application code, guides and mentors other engineers, supports engineering development projects, and provides design feedback. It also creates and maintains technical documentation, ensures cybersecurity and regulatory compliance, leads or supports change management and deployment, and participates in production troubleshooting and root-cause analysis. This is an onsite role; PPE may be required for workplace safety.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field.
At least 8 years of experience designing, developing, and supporting SCADA/HMI systems in a manufacturing or industrial environment.
Strong understanding of PLC and SCADA integration using Ignition SCADA.
Experience with Python scripting for SCADA application logic, data processing, automation, and system integration within Ignition SCADA.
Advanced knowledge of manufacturing and programming best practices, such as ISA standards and compliance.
Advanced knowledge of Modbus, EtherCAT, EtherNet/IP, PROFINET, MQTT, OPC UA, PostgreSQL, and SQL.
Experience designing high-availability systems and databases in a manufacturing environment.
Background working in a high-volume manufacturing environment.
Understanding of electrical hardware, drawings, sequence control, and software design.
Ability to cooperate and work with related departments, including overseas teams.
Flexibility to solve issues using first-principles thinking.
Strong computer skills, including Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
Working-level English proficiency, including reading, writing, and speaking.

Nice To Haves

Experience programming, installing, and troubleshooting manufacturing image vision systems such as Keyence and Cognex.
Experience programming, installing, and troubleshooting PLC systems, preferably Mitsubishi or Omron.
Knowledge of ISA-88 physical model systems such as PackML.
Knowledge of and experience handling American environmental laws and UL (Underwriters Laboratories) requirements.
Alignment with Panasonic’s seven core principles: contribution to society, fairness and honesty, cooperation and team spirit, untiring effort for improvement, courtesy and humility, adaptability, and gratitude.

Responsibilities

Lead the development, implementation, and management of Panasonic’s SCADA system at the Gigafactory.
Build standardized, intuitive HMI screens for battery manufacturing processes, including mixing, coating, calendaring, slitting, assembly, formation, and end-of-line operations.
Design, develop, and maintain SCADA/HMI applications using Ignition SCADA Vision and Perspective modules.
Integrate Ignition SCADA with PLCs, SCADA drivers, and field devices, including Omron, Keyence, Mitsubishi, and OPC UA systems.
Develop reusable templates, UDTs, and best practices to promote scalability and consistency across production lines and plants.
Collaborate with Controls, MES, IT, and Process Engineering teams to align system functionality with manufacturing requirements.
Design, optimize, and troubleshoot SCADA data models, historians, and transactional data flows using SQL Server, PostgreSQL, and Ignition internal databases.
Integrate SCADA with third-party systems and equipment, including quality systems, vision systems, lab/QC systems, Palantir-Foundry, event streaming, REST/MQTT, and UNS interfaces.
Conduct SCADA application code reviews for junior engineers and contractors, ensuring adherence to best practices, coding standards, performance, and cybersecurity guidelines.
Analyze product or equipment specifications and performance requirements to determine designs that can be produced by existing manufacturing or processing facilities and methods.
Take a technical leadership role in development projects and help Engineer levels I, II, and III complete development tasks.
Provide technical guidance, mentoring, and design feedback to improve code quality, maintainability, and long-term system scalability.
Determine the feasibility of designing new plant equipment or modifying existing facilities, considering costs, space, time constraints, company planning, and other technical and economic factors.
Provide technical information about manufacturing or processing techniques, materials, properties, and process advantages and limitations for long-range plant and product engineering planning.
Contribute to roadmap planning for SCADA, digital manufacturing, and Industry 4.0 initiatives.
Create and maintain technical documentation, including architecture diagrams, HMI standards, SOPs, and user guides.
Ensure compliance with IT/OT cybersecurity standards, internal controls, and regulatory requirements.
Lead or support change management activities, including testing, validation, and deployment of SCADA changes.
Participate in troubleshooting production issues and conducting root-cause analysis related to SCADA systems.

Benefits

Medical, dental, vision, and prescription plans, plus Health Savings Account and Flexible Spending Account options.
Voluntary life, accident, critical illness, disability, legal, identity theft, and pet insurance.
401(k) retirement savings plan with company matching contributions and immediate vesting.
Vacation, holidays, personal days, sick leave, volunteer leave, and parental and caregiver leave.
Tuition reimbursement for job-related courses after six months of service.
Lifestyle Spending Account, employee assistance program, virtual health management, chronic condition support, neurodiversity resources, tobacco cessation, substance abuse support, and life-stage and fertility resources.
Employee recognition and awards platform, with quarterly and annual recognition.
Opportunity for an annual performance-based bonus.
On-site cafes, snack and beverage kitchens, vendor visits, and employee events.
Free shuttle rides to and from work.