PLC Engineer
Job Description
Position Overview
Position: PLC Engineer
Department: Operations Technology (OT)/Controls Engineering
Reports to: Director of IT
Location: Bakersfield, California
Compensation: Annual Salary Range: $75,000 to $90,000, Annual Bonus Potential: 10%
The Senior PLC Engineer will design, program, commission, and troubleshoot control systems for industrial biogas, wastewater, and energy management facilities. Working with Rockwell Automation platforms, LoRaWAN gateways, flow meters, wastewater instruments, electric submeters, and HMI/SCADA interfaces (including partial development in Ignition), the engineer supports CalBio’s digital transformation initiatives to ensure reliable field data acquisition for environmental compliance, operations optimization, and regulatory reporting.
Key Responsibilities
- Program, configure, and troubleshoot Allen-Bradley / Rockwell PLCs (ControlLogix, CompactLogix, MicroLogix).
- Design and implement ladder logic, function block diagrams, and structured text code.
- Develop and maintain HMI screens using FactoryTalk View or similar tools.
- Perform PLC panel configuration, wiring validation, and I/O commissioning.
- Integrate LoRaWAN gateways for telemetry data transmission across distributed assets.
- Interface with flow meters, wastewater meters, and electric submeters while optimizing analog and digital I/O signals.
- Support deployment and configuration of Ignition SCADA modules including development of SCADA tags, historian connections, and alarms.
- Commission new OT installations at biogas, wastewater, or energy facilities.
- Troubleshoot system faults, perform root cause analysis, and implement corrective actions.
- Ensure control systems adhere to safety, cybersecurity (IEC 62443), and regulatory requirements.
- Support accurate data acquisition for environmental compliance, operations optimization, and regulatory reporting.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, Industrial Automation, Mechatronics, or related field (or equivalent experience).
- 3+ years of experience in PLC programming, HMI development, and field commissioning.
- Expertise in Rockwell Automation technologies such as RS Logix, Studio 5000, and FactoryTalk View.
- Proficient in working with LoRaWAN gateways, flow meters, wastewater meters, and electric submeters as well as HMI and basic Ignition SCADA development.
- Understanding of industrial protocols including Modbus TCP/RTU, Ethernet/IP, and MQTT.
- Ability to interpret P&ID diagrams, wiring schematics, and control narratives.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience in biogas, renewable energy, or wastewater operations.
- Exposure to Ignition Perspective or Vision modules.
- Experience integrating OT data into enterprise systems (historian, SQL, BMS).
- Preferred certifications such as Rockwell Automation Certification or ISA Certified Automation Professional (CAP) or working towards one.
Benefits & Perks
- Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance coverage.
- 401k with match.
- Competitive compensation with Annual Salary Range: $75,000 to $90,000 and Annual Bonus Potential: 10%.
- Standard CalBio benefits package and a mission-driven work environment.