Leads Emerson Ovation DCS programming, configuration, testing, commissioning, upgrades, troubleshooting, and optimization for water and wastewater facilities. Develops control logic, graphics, alarms, databases, documentation, and process-control strategies. Supports FAT, SAT, field commissioning, cybersecurity, system resiliency, and post-startup operations. Acts as technical lead, mentors junior staff, and collaborates with operations, project managers, vendors, and system integrators.
Hazen and Sawyer is seeking an experienced Senior Ovation DCS Programmer / Control Systems Engineer to support the design, implementation, commissioning, and long-term support of Emerson Ovation Distributed Control Systems for water and wastewater treatment facilities. This role is a senior technical position responsible for hands-on system programming, configuration, troubleshooting, and optimization, with direct involvement in plant operations, startup, and lifecycle support. The successful candidate will serve as a technical lead, supporting project delivery while mentoring junior staff and collaborating closely with operations, engineering, and project management teams.
This position can be based at any Hazen location; however, our preference is for it to be based in Virginia or the Washington, D.C. area.
Why Hazen and Sawyer:
- Founded in 1951 by the son of Allen Hazen (developer of the Hazen-Williams equation), we are an employee-owned company with a singular focus on "all things water."
- Our work includes planning, design, and oversight of construction of environmental infrastructure – for water, wastewater, and stormwater management.
- We foster a work environment low on bureaucracy and high in creativity.
- We recruit talented professionals, provide them with challenging, interesting, and creative assignments, and furnish them with the tools they need to succeed.
- We currently have over 2,400 employees in 70+ offices throughout the United States, Latin America, Canada, and the UK.
- A flexible hybrid work schedule supports today's busy professionals.
Key Responsibilities:
Ovation DCS Engineering & Programming
- Configure, program, test, and commission Emerson Ovation DCS systems.
- Develop and maintain control logic, operator graphics, alarm configurations, and system databases.
- Perform system upgrades, migrations, and expansions on legacy and current Ovation platforms.
- Support control optimization, tuning, and modernization initiatives.
Water & Wastewater Process Integration
- Implement and support control strategies for treatment and conveyance processes including pumping, filtration, chemical feed, disinfection, sludge handling, and distribution systems.
- Troubleshoot process and control system issues and implement corrective actions.
Testing, Commissioning & Support
- Lead and support FAT, SAT, and on-site commissioning activities.
- Provide operational troubleshooting and post-startup support.
- Develop and maintain system documentation, including control narratives, I/O lists, and architecture diagrams.
- Support changing management and configuration control procedures.
Cybersecurity & Compliance
- Implement OT cybersecurity best practices consistent with ISA/IEC 62443 and utility standards.
- Support redundancy, backup, disaster recovery, and system resiliency planning.
Technical Leadership & Mentorship
- Serve as a technical lead on Ovation-related projects.
- Mentor junior engineers and programmers.
- Coordinate with operations staff, project managers, vendors, and system integrators.
Work Setting:
- Hybrid Preferred (3 days in office; 2 days remote)
Required Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in engineering, Automation, Computer Science, or a related technical field, or equivalent experience.
- 10+ years of experience in control systems or automation.
- Demonstrated hands-on experience with Emerson Ovation DCS systems.
- Experience supporting water or wastewater treatment facilities strongly preferred.
- Experience with FAT, SAT, and field commissioning.
Technical Skills
- Advanced knowledge of Emerson Ovation configuration tools and system architecture.
- Strong understanding of process control, instrumentation, and control system networks.
- Familiarity with industrial communication protocols (Ethernet, OPC, Modbus).
- Working knowledge of alarm management best practices and OT cybersecurity principles.
- Experience with PLC/SCADA systems, networking, and industrial control protocols is often a plus.
Certifications (Preferred)
- Emerson Ovation training or certifications.
- ISA, cybersecurity, or related professional certifications a plus.
Additional Requirements
- Ability to travel to project sites (often up to 25–75% depending on the role and level).
- As required to support commissioning and troubleshooting.
- Valid driver’s license and authorization to work in the U.S.
- Comprehensive health benefits (medical, dental, vision, and prescription plans)
- Pre-tax flexible spending plans for medical, dependent care, and transportation
- Short and long-term disability, and employer paid life insurance
- Paid holidays, floating holidays, and paid time off (PTO)
- Employer-contributed 401(k) plan and additional financial planning support
- Professional growth opportunities, including tuition reimbursement, in-house training, and incentives for professional registration and professional organization memberships
- Starting pay range for this position depends on skills, experience, education and geographical location
#Li-remote
Similar Jobs
Artificial Intelligence • Fintech • Hardware • Information Technology • Sales • Software • Transportation
Leads a mid-market SaaS sales team of Account Executives, owning quota attainment, hiring, onboarding, coaching, forecasting, pipeline execution, and performance improvement. The manager partners with SDR, Sales Engineering, Customer Success, Marketing, Product, Enablement, and Deal Desk teams to optimize sales processes and scale the organization.
Top Skills:
CRMSalesforce
Artificial Intelligence • Fintech • Hardware • Information Technology • Sales • Software • Transportation
Leads and develops a post-sales Customer Engineering team serving strategic enterprise customers. Oversees technical discovery, solution design, integrations, automation, validation, handoffs, prioritization, and measurable customer outcomes. Establishes engagement models, capacity planning, quality standards, documentation, and operating cadences. Partners with Product, Engineering, Customer Success, Implementation, Sales, and Solutions Engineering to convert customer needs into reusable solutions, improve adoption, and support retention and expansion.
Top Skills:
APIsAutomationData AnalysisEnterprise SaasIntegrationsIotTelematics
Machine Learning • Security • Software • Analytics • Defense
Lead the full lifecycle of government subcontracts, including strategy, solicitation, proposal evaluation, negotiation, award, administration, compliance, performance monitoring, modifications, and closeout. Serve as a subject-matter expert across internal teams, manage subcontractor risk and due diligence, support CPSR and audit activities, interpret FAR and DFARS requirements, improve subcontracting processes, and advise on pricing, cybersecurity, export controls, intellectual property, and other compliance matters.
Top Skills:
Ai-Enabled ToolsDfarsErp SystemsFar
What you need to know about the Chicago Tech Scene
With vibrant neighborhoods, great food and more affordable housing than either coast, Chicago might be the most liveable major tech hub. It is the birthplace of modern commodities and futures trading, a national hub for logistics and commerce, and home to the American Medical Association and the American Bar Association. This diverse blend of industry influences has helped Chicago emerge as a major player in verticals like fintech, biotechnology, legal tech, e-commerce and logistics technology. It’s also a major hiring center for tech companies on both coasts.
Key Facts About Chicago Tech
- Number of Tech Workers: 245,800; 5.2% of overall workforce (2024 CompTIA survey)
- Major Tech Employers: McDonald’s, John Deere, Boeing, Morningstar
- Key Industries: Artificial intelligence, biotechnology, fintech, software, logistics technology
- Funding Landscape: $2.5 billion in venture capital funding in 2024 (Pitchbook)
- Notable Investors: Pritzker Group Venture Capital, Arch Venture Partners, MATH Venture Partners, Jump Capital, Hyde Park Venture Partners
- Research Centers and Universities: Northwestern University, University of Chicago, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Illinois Institute of Technology, Argonne National Laboratory, Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory
