Automation Engineer

Austin, TX Until 9/21/2026 5+ years exp First posted May 23, 2025 Last posted July 23, 2026
Job description

VVater is a US-based, next-generation water treatment company that aims to provide Water for Humankind with a cornerstone of sustainability and a promise of a better, healthier tomorrow—servicing various industries and markets around the world from Real Estate, Wastewater Treatment, Municipal Potable Water, and multiple others, in particular, focusing on the recovering and recycling of different waters in a centralized or decentralized way. The company also does artificial beaches, urban lagoons, wave pools, surf parks, aquatics, sewage treatment, wastewater, and drinking water.

Responsibilities:
- Design, develop, and implement automated systems and processes
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams to identify automation opportunities
- Conduct feasibility studies and cost analyses for automation projects
- Create and maintain technical documentation, including system specifications and user manuals
- Manages and develops process instrumentation, controls, and automation capital expansion and replacement programs for water resources, recovery treatment, and pumping facilities.
- Manages, designs, implements, and manages high-quality programming work, including development, installation, operation, and maintenance of automation and control system solutions for operating the water resource and recovery treatment facilities and remote pump stations.
- Troubleshoot and resolve issues with automated systems
- Perform root cause analysis to identify and address system failures or malfunctions
- Optimize automation processes for efficiency and productivity
- Collaborate with suppliers and vendors to source necessary equipment and components
- Provides support and system maintenance of DMS applications (SCADA, FISR, Self-Healing, Load Var Management, Powerflow, VMS, FMS, and database updates to ensure DMS matches field)
- Develops procedures and processes for new technologies or changing business needs to ensure compliance with all applicable standards, regulations, and company requirements.
- Development of the Human Machine Interface screens (HMI).
- Work with cross-functional teams to develop new mechanical and electronic systems.
- Create test environments and provide the necessary research and support required.
- May act as a backup to support and cover various areas of the department as needed.
- Ability to perform all essential job functions with or without reasonable accommodation.
- Use common industrial communication protocols such as Modbus TCP/IP, IEC61850, and DNP 3.0.
- Have a strong knowledge of different networking techniques with business and processes networks, For example, Routers, Hubs, switches, TCPIP, DHCP, DNS, Port Forwarding, etc
- Have strong knowledge of typical IT-related elements from Azure, MS365, Cybersecurity protocols etc.
- Develops BOMs, IO lists, and requirements for control panels.
- Develops PLC programs in Ladder, Function Block, and other languages.
- Deep understanding of clean utility systems including, but not limited to: compendial water (WFI, USP Purified), clean steam, CIP, SIP, compressed air, and gases.
- Perform all other duties as assigned.

This position will also require numerous hands-on fieldwork and rapid prototyping; therefore, expect some after-hours work, high pace environments, and pressure situations.

Skills:
- Proficiency in machining and tooling techniques
- Strong knowledge of Rockwell, Control Logix, Iconics, Siemens, Delta-V, Allen Bradley, WonderWare Intouch, Zenon, and others.
- Strong knowledge of SolidWorks, AutoCAD, and other design software
- Experience with distributed control systems (DCS) and programmable logic controllers (PLC)
- Ability to read and interpret blueprints and technical drawings
- Strong problem-solving skills with the ability to perform root cause analysis
- Excellent communication and collaboration skills to work effectively with cross-functional teams

Qualifications:

- Minimum 4-year college degree or technical degree
- 5 or more years of equivalent work experience, including demonstrable experience owning technical solutions from inception through development, implementation, and sustainment in water treatment or wastewater facilities. (preferred)
- Experience in the Wastewater marketplace (preferred)
- Effective Communication and Project Management / Organization skills
- Analytical thinker combined with solid systems engineering skills
- Strong Customer Facing and Project Team Leadership skills
- Good understanding of wastewater process, electrical systems, and SCADA / instrument & control systems
- Ability to understand multiple disciplines (i.e. process, architectural, civil, structural, mechanical, electrical, instrumentation & control, etc.) drawings, the scope of work documents, and schematics
- Proficient in Microsoft Office programs including but not limited to Word and Excel

Note: This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive. The employee may be required to perform other duties as assigned.

**As a part of our process to ensure a comprehensive evaluation of all applicants, assessment tests are required as part of our recruitment process. Unfortunately, should you elect not to participate in completing the assessment tests, your application will not be able to progress to the next stage or taken into consideration during evaluation.

About this role

Summary

Design, develop, and troubleshoot automation systems for water treatment facilities.

Job title

Automation Engineer

Experience level

5+ years

Minimum experience

5+ years exp

Industry

water treatment

Location requirements

Austin, TX; remote not allowed

Salary

Not specified

Management role

No

Skills & keywords

Required skills

machiningRockwellControl LogixSiemensPLCDCSblueprintstechnical drawingsproblem-solvingcommunication

Preferred skills

WastewaterSCADACybersecurityAutoCADSolidWorks

Specializations

automationwater treatmentSCADAPLCcontrol systems
Locations

Structured locations inferred from the posting.

Austin, TX, USA

On-site City