Senior Automation Engineer (Back-End SCADA)

About Stellix Global Services We collaborate with our customers and technology and service partners with a relentless co-innovation mindset. We solve difficult challenges and deliver sustainable outcomes. If you are a problem solver with a passion for working across multiple technologies and business relationships, we invite you to explore opportunities at Stellix Global Services. Here’s What You’ll Get Highly competitive Medical, Dental, and Vision InsuranceFlexible Spending or Health Savings AccountsUnlimited Vacation Time10 Paid Holidays12 Paid Weeks Birthing ParentPet InsuranceRetirement Savings: 401(k) and Employee Stock Ownership PlanEmployee Referral BonusProfessional Development ReimbursementCompany Paid STD, LTD, and Life Insurance About Our Team Professional Services is a cross functional organization responsible for capital project delivery, operational run support and custom solution development and implementation. Professional Services bridges multiple industries including life sciences, food and beverage, power and specialty chemical and consumer products. Our main goals focus on increasing manufacturing throughput, improving client technology adoption, contextualizing data, and driving process and product quality into all facets of the manufacturing process. You will be part of the Process Automation group which will support Commercial Life Sciences (mAb) and Emerging Life Sciences (RNA, mRNA, CAR-T, Cell Therapy, Gene Therapy, etc) and Industrial Manufacturing. You will support clients across the nation and globally, both on-site and remote; however, as a New England based company, we pride ourselves on our ability to serve our clients locally. You will receive a wide level of exposure to all aspects of modern manufacturing related to PLC and SCADA applications and platforms. This team is often on the cutting edge of the industry change working in partnership with both startups and well-established manufacturing facilities building Greenfield facilities, transitioning and upgrading from legacy systems, and expansion of existing facilities. The Engineering team provides large project engineering, site engineering and integration engineering services using the Ignition and other SCADA systems. Engineers leverage their expertise and knowledge of process control systems and automation across multiple process industries. SUMMARY - The Role The Back End Lead architects Ignition gateway topology, redundancy, and scaling; designs the SQL database and tag historian layer; configures and troubleshoots the OPC and driver connections to PLCs and skid controllers; and builds the enterprise interfaces that move production data to and from LIMS, ERP, and QMS systems. The role also owns the repeatable method for bringing new skids, equipment, and benchtop units onto Ignition, so each new unit comes online consistently rather than being solved from scratch. Security hardening sits with this position as well — directory integration, single sign-on, certificates, and OT/IT network segmentation — as does the technical relationship with the PLC Principal Engineer at the tag mapping and OPC server boundary. Target credentials: Ignition Core Certified; Gold Certification (Gateway Network Design) Regulated biotech focus: build the audit-trail-safe data path from skid to historian to MES/LIMS that preserves data integrity end to end, and support the IQ/OQ and data integrity assessments that path must pass.General industrial focus: integration priorities shift toward historian and OEE data availability and ERP scheduling rather than LIMS/QMS; data integrity controls can be lighter-weight where 21 CFR Part 11 is not in scope. This Position Includes 6 Functions Develop proposals and estimates for platform, integration, and infrastructure scope in response to requests for quoteLead design of Ignition gateway architecture for distributed and redundant control systemsDefine SCADA platform, data, and integration requirements and functionality at an enterprise levelDevelop and lead development of gateway logic, database schemas, and system interfaces from functional system descriptionsExecute projects, perform project management tasks and oversee the engineers assigned to the trackProvide senior-level support/life cycle services for deployed gateways, databases, and interfaces Principal Duties And Responsibilities Develop project proposals in conjunction with team members based on requests for quote and discussions with customersArchitect Ignition gateway topology, including gateway network design, redundancy, scaling, and load distribution across sitesSet and enforce Python/Jython standards for gateway event scripts, tag change scripts, and message handlersDesign SQL database schemas and stored procedures, and configure the tag historian, including data retention and partitioning strategyConfigure and troubleshoot OPC-UA/DA connections and drivers for PLCs and skid controllers (Allen-Bradley, Siemens, DeltaV)Own the repeatable integration method for skids, equipment, and benchtop units, covering UDT design, tag naming, and a consistent path for bringing each new unit onlineArchitect enterprise interfaces to LIMS, ERP, and QMS over REST, SOAP, or MQTTLead security hardening, including AD/LDAP/SSO integration, certificate management, and OT/IT network segmentationOwn the PLC-to-Ignition integration point jointly with the PLC Principal Engineer, covering tag mapping and OPC server configurationSupport and manage the platform side of the Ignition/SCADA software library and development standardsPerform design review and technical sign-off on deliverables from the Database & Integration Engineer and the Controls / OT Integration EngineerMentor and provide technical guidance to junior SCADA/PLC engineersAct as project manager to ensure proper execution of platform-led control system projectsCollaborate with and direct System Engineers and Project Managers during FAT, SAT, and system commissioningAnalyze P&IDs, network drawings, and electrical schematics to facilitate control system developmentEffectively plan and manage daily tasks and team workload with time critical awarenessPrepare project status reports and summaries as necessary or requiredTravel: 20% travel within the Greater Boston areaCooperate with others to uphold Stellix's Total Customer Commitment and focus on Quality Minimum Qualifications Bachelor's degree in Electrical, Mechatronics, or Computer Engineering or equivalent5+ years of experience implementing Ignition SCADA systems, including gateway architecture and database designCurrent Inductive Automation Ignition Core CertificationProficiency in Python/Jython and SQL (Microsoft SQL Server or equivalent)Hands-on OPC-UA/DA and industrial driver configuration and troubleshootingExperience with configuring distributed system networksDemonstrated experience executing and managing projectsAbility to get along well with othersAppropriate and professional demeanor and appearance Preferred Qualifications Inductive Automation Gold Certification with a Gateway Network Design focus, or a credible path to achieving it within the first year — this is one of the certified positions Stellix's Gold and Premier Integrator status is measured againstExperience deploying redundant, highly available gateways across multiple sitesIntegration experience with LIMS, ERP, or QMS platformsMQTT / Sparkplug B experienceExperience in a validated GxP environment, including change control, data integrity (ALCOA+), and Part 11 audit trailsLinux administration, containerized deployment, and backup/disaster recovery design3-5 years high-level experience overseeing and executing project management tasksExperience mentoring or leading junior engineers Competencies Inductive Automation Ignition gateway architecture, gateway network, and redundancyIgnition Tag Historian, SQL Bridge, and UDT designPython/Jython scripting for gateway events, tag change scripts, and message handlersMicrosoft SQL Server or PostgreSQL schema design and stored proceduresOPC-UA/DA server and driver configurationAllen Bradley Logix 5000 and FactoryTalk View; Siemens and DeltaV connectivityREST, SOAP, and MQTT interface developmentAD/LDAP/SSO, certificate management, and OT/IT network segmentationMicrosoft Office SuiteKnowledge of personal computer (PC) hardware, software and application programsStrong leadership, interpersonal, and communication skills to communicate effectively with customers, supervisors and co-workersAbility to work independently and lead others with minimal directionAbility to manage additional tasks as position evolves Compensation: This position offers a total compensation package of $115,000 to $140,000 based on experience and qualifications. The posted salary range represents a good faith estimate of the expected compensation for this role at the time of posting. Final compensation will be determined based on factors such as relevant experience, skills, qualifications, internal equity, and business needs. On-Site Requirements This position requires a full on-site presence 5 days per week during the first 4–6 months. Following that period, the role will be on-site four days per week, including Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday, with the fourth on-site day alternating between Tuesday or Friday depending on business needs. Policy on Third-Party Unsolicited Resume Submissions: Please note that any third-party unsolicited resume submissions will immediately become the property of Stellix Global Services. Stellix Global Services will not pay any fee to a submitting employment agency, person, or entity unless a signed agreement is established. Please Note: Stellix Global Services is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.