Proconex is the exclusive Emerson Impact Partner for Emerson Automation Solutions in the Mid-Atlantic region. We provide a full portfolio of Process Automation Control Systems, Valves and Control Devices, and related technologies and services to a range of customers - in the Life Sciences, Chemical, Power, Refining, Oil & Gas, Food & Beverage, Paper, Metals, and other industries, as well as commercial enterprises and campus facilities. With three strategically located offices, Proconex maintains a deep dedication to its 200+ employees, a sharp focus on safety and quality, and the drive to deliver.
Senior Systems Engineer II
Position Summary
The Senior Systems Engineer II is a senior technical leadership role responsible for leading small to mid-sized automation projects, serving as a primary technical representative for customers, and developing scalable solutions that drive value beyond individual project assignments. This position provides technical leadership across project execution, commissioning, operations support, customer engagement, and engineering best practices while contributing to the growth and advancement of the broader engineering organization.
The Senior Systems Engineer II applies expert-level process control and automation knowledge to architect solutions, optimize manufacturing operations, mentor engineers, improve engineering standards, and influence customer technology roadmaps. This role builds trusted advisor relationships with customers, drives collaboration across technical and business teams, coaches developing engineers, and contributes to organizational initiatives that enhance engineering quality, efficiency, and long-term growth.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead the design, development, implementation, and optimization of industrial automation systems, including Distributed Control Systems (DCS), Programmable Logic Controllers (PLC), SCADA systems, data historians, and related technologies.
- Develop control system architectures, control strategies, network designs, automation sequences, integrations, and software solutions that align with customer operational objectives and industry best practices.
- Evaluate customer processes, operational requirements, existing system architectures, and business objectives to develop practical and scalable automation solutions.
- Lead technical discussions, requirements workshops, design reviews, and solution development sessions with customers, vendors, and project teams.
- Serve as the primary technical point of contact for customers throughout project execution, operational support engagements, and consulting activities.
- Lead Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT), Site Acceptance Testing (SAT), commissioning, startup, operational readiness, validation, and lifecycle management activities.
- Troubleshoot complex system issues involving software, hardware, process equipment, networking, integrations, and operational systems while developing sustainable solutions that improve reliability and performance.
- Partner with project managers to develop execution plans, project schedules, resource requirements, technical strategies, risk mitigation plans, and project performance improvements.
- Develop strong customer relationships through technical expertise, proactive communication, responsiveness, and strategic guidance that supports both immediate needs and future initiatives.
- Mentor Systems Engineers and Senior Systems Engineers through technical coaching, knowledge sharing, training, project leadership, and professional development activities.
- Identify opportunities for additional engineering services and collaborate with account management, leadership, and cross-functional teams to support customer growth and long-term partnerships.
- Contribute to engineering standards, department initiatives, process improvements, technical training, scalable solutions, and best practices that improve execution across projects, teams, and customer environments.
- Utilize emerging technologies and digital tools, including artificial intelligence (AI), to improve engineering productivity, technical documentation, troubleshooting, project execution, knowledge management, and business processes.
Travel Requirements
This role includes up to 30% travel to customer sites to support project execution, commissioning, startup, troubleshooting, testing, training, consulting, and other customer-facing activities.
Project assignments may require extended onsite support at customer locations. Individuals in this role must be open to temporary relocation or assignment-based relocation for project work based on customer, project, and business needs.
Basic Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Engineering Technology, or a related technical discipline or equivalent experience
- 8+ years of experience designing, configuring, implementing, commissioning, troubleshooting, and supporting industrial automation and control systems within manufacturing, process control, engineering services, life sciences, or related technical environments.
- 8+ years of experience developing automation architectures, control strategies, system integrations, software configurations, engineering documentation, and technical solutions for industrial control systems.
- 8+ years of experience leading project execution activities, commissioning efforts, startup support, operational support, lifecycle management initiatives, and technical problem resolution.
- 8+ years of experience interfacing directly with customer stakeholders to develop requirements, provide technical recommendations, lead technical discussions, and support strategic initiatives.
- 8+ years of experience mentoring engineers, providing technical leadership, reviewing engineering deliverables, and supporting workforce development activities.
- 8+ years of experience supporting project planning, estimating, resource coordination, risk management, and technical execution within project-based engineering environments.
- 8+ years of experience using engineering software, business applications, and Microsoft Office tools, including Word, Excel, Teams, SharePoint, Visio, and Project.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience with Emerson DeltaV, Allen-Bradley, Siemens, Ignition, Wonderware, OSI PI, PLC, SCADA, or similar automation platforms.
- Experience developing and supporting integrated manufacturing architectures involving control systems, industrial networks, historians, and enterprise integrations.
- Experience leading automation projects within pharmaceutical, biotechnology, life sciences, chemical, energy, utilities, food and beverage, or advanced manufacturing environments.
- Experience leading Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT), Site Acceptance Testing (SAT), commissioning, startup, qualification, validation, and operational readiness activities.
- Experience developing technical scopes of work, project estimates, work breakdown structures, and proposal support deliverables.
- Experience with industrial networking, cybersecurity, virtualization, cloud-connected manufacturing systems, databases, system integration, or industrial communication protocols.
- Experience serving as a recognized technical lead, subject matter expert, or trusted advisor for customers and engineering organizations.
- Experience leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) tools to improve engineering productivity, technical documentation, software development, troubleshooting, data analysis, project execution, or other business and engineering workflows.
We are proud to be an employee-owned organization. Through our ESOP, every team member shares in the growth and success of the company, fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability, and long-term rewards.
Proconex offers a standout culture, fantastic work environment, and has very competitive benefits to include premium medical, 401K match, tuition reimbursement, and other unique incentives.
When receiving e-mails from a Proconex or Valspec recruiter, you will only receive e-mails from addresses ending in @proconexdirect.com, @proconex.net or @valspec.net. Any other domains are impersonations and should be ignored.
Candidates must be legally eligible to work in the United States without company sponsorship. Also, we are not interested in working on a corp-to-corp basis with other companies at this time.
Any third-party unsolicited resume submission(s) will immediately become the property of Proconex. Proconex will not pay any fee to a submitting employment agency, person, or entity unless a signed agreement is established.
Proconex is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, race, color, religion, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, protected veteran status or any other protected class. We are committed to providing a professional environment free of any discrimination or harassment, and we are proud to be a Drug-Free Workplace.