Associate Controls Engineer

Wunderlich-Malec Engineering, Inc is seeking an Associate Controls Engineer to join their Houston onsite team. This role partners with senior engineers to develop and support process control systems across DCS, PLC, SCADA and HMI platforms, along with related hardware, network, instrumentation and electrical designs, plus startup activities that span technical, project management, sales and operations domains.

Responsibilities

• Design and implement process control solutions, including DCS/PLC/SCADA/HMI programming, hardware architectures, network layouts, instrumentation and electrical designs, and startup support.
• Learn and apply project execution tools and standards, with a focus on streamlining and improving processes.
• Follow guidance from the lead engineer to contribute to control system software and hardware design, development and startup activities.
• Prepare supporting project documentation such as user requirements, architecture diagrams, control narratives, cause and effect diagrams, test plans and user training materials.
• Regularly test work to ensure quality, safety and alignment with project requirements.
• Provide status updates to the project manager on deliverables, hours to complete, and schedule risks or obstacles.
• Identify potential roadblocks that could impact task completion and timelines.
• Contribute to project risk assessments, best practices and lessons learned related to project activities.
• Address customer requests and evaluate them against the defined project scope.
• Participate actively in internal and customer meetings and build relationships with client stakeholders on assigned projects.
• Provide input to proposals and estimates; seek opportunities to expand scope based on client needs.
• Understand customer needs to support additional scope and services offered by WM.
• Set personal goals aligned with project and business unit objectives.
• Demonstrate capabilities in engineering economics, risk management and financial accountability; collaborate and share knowledge with colleagues.
• Communicate clearly and professionally, both verbally and in writing, with a focus on efficiency and continuous improvement.
• Maintain personal accountability and integrity in all activities.

Requirements

• Strong leadership and client relationship abilities.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills for interactions with clients and project leadership.
• Good engineering documentation practices; experience or willingness to use collaboration tools such as SharePoint for remote teamwork.
• New graduates or professionals with 1–2 years of process controls exposure (PLC/SCADA) are preferred.
• Experience with at least one programming language such as C++, JavaScript, Python or .NET.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Outlook, Excel and Word.
• Experience in network design and troubleshooting; ability to maintain or modify a virtualized environment.
• Foundational SQL knowledge (academic or hands-on) with the ability to query and analyze data using basic statements.
• Familiarity with REST APIs, including consuming endpoints and handling JSON data.

Technologies

• DCS, PLC, SCADA, HMI
• C++, JavaScript, Python, .NET
• SharePoint, Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Word
• SQL, REST APIs, JSON

Benefits

• Medical, Dental, Vision
• Basic and Supplemental Life and AD&D
• Long Term Disability
• Voluntary Short Term Disability
• Healthcare & Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts
• Health Savings Account
• Paid Time Off and Paid Holidays
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Referral Bonus Program
• 401(k)/Profit Sharing
• 100% Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP)
• Employee Assistance Program and Will Preparation Resources
• Worldwide Travel Assistance

Physical Demands of Position

• Ability to travel up to 25% of the time
• Requirements include vision, color perception, hearing, clear speech, and manual dexterity
• Valid driver's license and ability to drive; ability to lift, climb, mount/dismount equipment, and push/pull

Working Environment

• Standard office and on-site office settings, with exposure to diverse industrial environments including chemical and biological manufacturing
• Frequent use of PC and collaboration tools to support project execution