Automation & Controls Engineer - Food & Beverage (Chicago)

Company : Burns & McDonnell

Location : Chicago, IL

Posted Date : 12 October 2025

Job Type : Full Time

Category : Electrical Engineering

Occupation : Controls Engineer

Job Details

Description

The Automation & Controls Engineer executes Automation and Controls Engineering design activities for minor to major scale Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) projects in food, consumer products, pharmaceutical, life science, aerospace and industrial facilities. Responsible for executing automation and controls deliverables for project(s) in the front end, detailed design, construction, and start-up phases. Projects range from controls projects working directly for the client to controls self-execution on full scale Automation and Controls EPC projects.

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Responsible for compliance with company and project site safety policies.
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Works with a team of Automation and Controls Engineers, Specialists, and Designers in the execution of design. Interfaces with a multi-faceted project team internally consisting of project manager, electrical, controls, estimating, procurement, construction, and other engineering disciplines.
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Responsible for developing software design deliverables including PLC and HMI programming design deliverables as well as Batch, MES, servers and virtualization. Responsible for commissioning and startup of those design deliverables.
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Develop controls design deliverables, including instrument/device list, I/O list, controls narratives, control panel and controls hardware design, device location plan drawings and installation details.
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Develop electrical design deliverables including 480VAC and below equipment and motor power design, installation plan drawings, and conductor schedules.
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Develop the specification and design requirements for control panel and equipment vendors, track vendor progression, and lead the Factory Acceptance Tests (FATs).
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Experience with process instrument measurements protocols, such as temperature, pressure, flow, level, analyzers, and control valves. Utilize knowledge of various technologies for selecting the appropriate controls application.
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Experienced in reviewing P&IDs and working with process engineers to define and show proper controls scope of the project.
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Develop verification of design, calculations, project studies, design basis and report preparation.
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Interfaces directly with offsite design office and coordinates and tracks execution of all electrical controls department work to that office.
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Responsible for performing quality reviews of project design submittals.
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Responsible for applying knowledge of commonly used automation and controls engineering/design concepts, principles, practices, codes, and procedures within the engineering services industry.
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Interfaces directly with construction personnel in development of contracts and execution of work.
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Tracks Automation and Controls design efforts against budgets and expected progress.
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Works with clients and vendors directly in developing design and builds lasting business relationships.
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Responsible for leadership and guidance of less experienced team members.
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Coordinate with field personnel to resolve design related installation issues, calculations, field inspections and testing of controls systems.
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Responsible for technical execution during onsite start-up and commissioning activities.
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Develops and submits discipline change notices as needed to the project management team.
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Understands the basics of the EPC project execution methodology.
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This position will require making trips to job sites to survey and support installations and startups (travel about 30%).
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Begins to understand and utilize automation project sales strategies and develops client relationships.
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Understands and assists in automation standards development for the department.
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Participates in interviews for early career team members.
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Assists in the development of engineering hour estimates and proposals for all phases of the project.
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Coordinates workload with Automation and Controls Department Manager.
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Complies with all company policies and standards.
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All other duties as assigned.
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Qualifications

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Bachelor Degree in Controls, Electrical, Mechanical or Chemical Engineering or related degree from an ABET accredited program and successful completion of Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam and 3 years electrical engineering experience. EPC project and Automation 7 Controls experience preferred.
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Master Degree in Electrical Engineering and 4 years electrical engineering experience. EPC project experience preferred.
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Expert knowledge in standard engineering techniques and procedures. Strong knowledge of electrical equipment design ANSI and IEEE Standards. Strong computer skills (e.g. Microsoft Office Suite).
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Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
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Experience with leading the discipline design for large projects and delegating work tasks to team members. Ability to lead execution of work and resolve issues in a team environment.
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Demonstrated critical thinking skills, ability to work methodically and analytically in a quantitative problem-solving environment.
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Strong attention to detail, facilitation, team building, collaboration, organization and problem-solving skills.
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Ability to perform quality reviews for detailed engineering documents and specifications.
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Ability to travel. accredited program.
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Must have or be able to obtain a Transportation Worker Identification Card (TWIC).
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Professional Engineer (PE) License Preferred.
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Preferred:

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This position requires an individual capable of applying intensive and diversified knowledge of principles and practices to broad areas of assignment. Must be capable of devising new approaches to problems encountered.
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Ability to perform quality reviews for detailed engineering documents and specifications.
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Knowledge of applicable design standards covering Automation & Controls Design/Engineering such as NFPA, ISA, IEC, IEEE, ISA/IEC 61511, ISO13849, UL508A.
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Experienced with variety of control and safety systems (PLC, SCADA, SIS, BMS, DCS).
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Experience in Rockwell and Siemens PLC platform. Experience in GE, Modicon, Opto22, Mitsubishi, and Triconex PLC platforms a plus.
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SCADA experience with Factory Talk and Wonderware local and distributed systems, Ignition Software is a plus.
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MES Design and Implementation Experience a Plus, PTC ThingWorx, Ignition/Sepasoft, Parsec TrakSYS.
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Machine safety risk assessment and required PL design compliance to ISO13849 is a plus.
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Process safety SIF/SIS design compliance to ISA/IEC 61511 is a plus.
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Experience with PlantPAX and PackML is preferred.
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Familiarity with tools like SISTEMA, CCW, IAB, BatchSIM, and PlantSIM is desired.
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Compensation

$115, ,000.00 Yearly

The expected compensation range for this position is displayed in compliance with all local/state regulations. The expected compensation range for this position is based on a number of factors, including but not limited to: individual education, qualifications, prior work experience and work location. The total annual compensation package will consist of a base salary and eligibility to participate in our discretionary year-end incentive bonus program.

Benefits

Our extensive benefits package takes care of you so that you can focus on doing great work. From insurance and disability to time off and wellness programs, we provide the tools to meet your needs. As part of being 100% employee-owned, eligible employees participate in our Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) in addition to our 401(k) retirement program. For more information, please visit the Benefits & Wellness page.

This job posting will remain open a minimum of 72 hours and on an ongoing basis until filled.

EEO/Disabled/Veterans

Job Instrumentation & Controls Engineering

Primary Location US-IL-Chicago

Schedule: Full-time

Travel: Yes, 25 % of the Time

Req ID:

Job Hire Type Experienced #LI-MF #GFS