Water Programming and Commissioning - Group Leader

At Jacobs, we're challenging today to reinvent tomorrow by delivering innovative water and wastewater solutions that strengthen communities and improve resiliency. We are seeking a Programming & Commissioning Group Leader to help grow our automation capabilities across Ohio, Michigan, and Indiana while mentoring the next generation of technical leaders.

Position Summary

The Water Resources, Programming & Commissioning Group Leader is responsible for the leadership, growth, performance, and strategic direction of the group's practice across Ohio, Michigan, and Indiana. This role combines people leadership, technical excellence, project delivery oversight, and business management to advance the firm's programming development, testing, and commissioning capabilities. The Programming & Commissioning Leader is accountable for developing staff, ensuring successful project delivery, growing client relationships, and achieving business objectives while fostering a culture of collaboration, quality, safety, and inclusion. You will also be the primary technical resource for automation and control system projects, providing leadership in PLC and SCADA programming, commissioning, troubleshooting, and client engagement. This role is responsible for guiding project teams, establishing programming standards, and developing a competitive team to successfully deliver reliable, secure, and maintainable control system solutions.

Key Responsibilities

Technical & Project Leadership

• Lead business development initiatives with internal and external clients to expand the Programming and Integration group’s market presence, client relationships, and revenue opportunities.
• Lead the design, development, testing, and commissioning of PLC, HMI, and SCADA systems for utility and industrial automation projects.
• Provide technical leadership and guidance to programmers, system integrators, and project teams throughout the project lifecycle.
• Collaborate directly with clients, operations personnel, engineering teams, and contractors to define functional requirements and resolve complex technical challenges.
• Develop and review PLC control strategies, SCADA architectures, alarming philosophies, communications networks, and cybersecurity requirements.
• Oversee programming standards, code reviews, testing procedures, and quality assurance activities to ensure consistency with Jacobs established standards.
• Coordinate programming efforts across multiple projects while ensuring adherence to schedules, budgets, and customer expectations.
• Support OT cybersecurity initiatives, including network segmentation, secure remote access, and compliance with organizational standards.
• Mentor junior programmers and engineers, providing technical coaching and promoting best practices.
• Support project managers and other technical leaders in managing scope, schedule, budget, quality, and contractual requirements.
• Advance the group's reputation for technical excellence and innovative, data-driven solutions.

People Leadership & Team Development

• Foster an inclusive environment where diverse perspectives are valued, employees can thrive, and teams are empowered to deliver their best work.
• Lead workforce planning, resource management, and staff utilization efforts.
• Recruit, hire, onboard, and retain top talent while supporting company diversity and workforce development goals.
• Develop, mentor, and inspire a high-performing team while supporting career growth and succession planning.
• Foster team engagement through regular communication, one-on-one meetings, and team-building activities.

Business & Market Leadership

• Assist the Department leader in developing and executing growth strategies, business plans, and performance goals for the group.
• Partner with Operations, Market Solutions, Department Leaders, and Sales teams to grow and maintain sustainable work pipelines.
• Build and maintain strong client relationships and support business development, proposals, and strategic pursuits.
• Promote innovation, digital solutions, and emerging technologies within the practice.
• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Engineering Technology, Computer Science, or equivalent experience.
• 7+ years of experience in industrial automation, SCADA, or control systems engineering.
• Demonstrated experience leading PLC and SCADA development projects from design through commissioning.
• Strong working knowledge of:
• Rockwell Automation (ControlLogix, CompactLogix, FactoryTalk)
• Allen-Bradley PLC programming
• Wonderware/AVEVA, Ignition, VTScada, or similar SCADA platforms
• Industrial Ethernet and OT networking
• Experience supporting critical infrastructure, utilities, water/wastewater, electric distribution, or industrial facilities.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills.

Jacobs is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, creed, color, national origin, ancestry, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or medical conditions related to pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding), age, medical condition, marital or domestic partner status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression and transgender status, mental disability or physical disability, genetic information, military or veteran status, citizenship, low-income status or any other status or characteristic protected by applicable law. Learn more about your rights under Federal EEO laws and supplemental language.