Automation Specialist/ Ignition Engineer

Engineering Litchfield, AZ Contract To Hire Sep 21, 2026 Automation Specialist – PLC/HMI Commissioning Location: Phoenix, AZ – QTS PHX3 Data Center Pay: Up to $71/hour, depending on qualifications Schedule: Approximately 50 hours/week | Monday–Saturday, 6:00 AM–3:00 PM Duration: Approximately 4 months, depending on project needs Position Overview We are seeking an experienced Automation Specialist / PLC-HMI Programmer to support commissioning and startup activities on an active QTS data center project in Phoenix, AZ. This is a fast-paced commissioning environment. The PLC programs have already been developed, so this position is focused primarily on loop checks, commissioning support, troubleshooting, and chiller startups rather than developing an automation system from scratch. IGNITION CORE CERTIFICATION IS REQUIRED. Candidates without a current Ignition Core Certification will not be considered. Responsibilities Support PLC/HMI commissioning activities for data center mechanical and automation systemsPerform and support I/O and loop checksAssist with chiller startup and commissioningTroubleshoot PLC, HMI, controls, and field-device issues during startupWork with existing PLC programs to diagnose and resolve commissioning issuesSupport functional verification of control sequences and connected equipmentWork within Ignition HMI during commissioning and startup activitiesTroubleshoot communications and control-system issues as they ariseCoordinate with commissioning teams, controls technicians, engineers, and field personnelMaintain productivity in a fast-paced environment with aggressive project schedules Required Qualifications Ignition Core Certification – REQUIREDHands-on Ignition HMI experienceExperience with Allen-Bradley ControlLogix and/or CompactLogix PLC hardware1–3+ years of PLC/HMI, automation, controls, or commissioning experienceExperience performing loop checks, startup, troubleshooting, and commissioningAbility to work with existing PLC programs and troubleshoot independentlyStrong understanding of industrial automation and control systemsMust be capable of stepping into the project and contributing immediately with minimal to no training Preferred Qualifications Recent QTS Data Center experiencePrevious data center or mission-critical commissioning experienceChiller and mechanical controls startup experienceExperience supporting fast-paced commissioning and turnover schedules