Lead Engineer - MES

We have a Lead Engineer position available in our Irvine, CA office. This Candidate will be responsible for project execution, Design, prioritization and scheduling, Programming, risk management, including early problem identification and conflict resolution, supporting engineers, communications, and meeting leadership, account/client management.

Primary Purpose

Provide project engineering support to customers and to WM colleagues across all aspects of project delivery. The Lead Engineer - MES is responsible for technical leadership, design, and execution of advanced Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES) and industrial automation solutions. This role specializes in Ignition, Sepasoft, and AVEVA Platforms, delivering integrated, scalable solutions across plant-floor and enterprise systems.

The position combines deep MES expertise, PLC-based control systems, batch implementation, and database architecture, enabling digital transformation across manufacturing operations, including production, quality, inventory, and enterprise integration systems., Responsible for project execution, Design, prioritization and scheduling, Programming, risk management, including early problem identification and conflict resolution, supporting engineers, communications, and meeting leadership, account/client management. Work will include project(s) ranging in size up to $5M. This position is responsible for ensuring the project’s overall profitability.

• Technical Leadership & Architecture
• Lead design and implementation of MES and SCADA platforms, including Ignition (Perspective, Vision, Gateway, Edge), Sepasoft MES Suite, AVEVA System Platform, and AVEVA MES
• Define system architecture, such as Multi-site MES deployments, SCADA-to-MES-to-ERP integration layers, and Redundant and high-availability systems
• Establish standards, reusable templates, and best practices for MES and SCADA development
• Provide hands-on technical leadership in system configuration, scripting, and debugging
• MES & Manufacturing Systems Expertise
• Design and deploy MES solutions leveraging Sepasoft MES modules, AVEVA MES capabilities
• Develop applications for Inventory management, Warehouse Management Systems (WMS), LIMS integration, and electronic work instructions
• Ensure alignment with ISA-95 and ISA-88 standards
• Batch & Process Automation
• Lead implementation of batch control systems, including ISA-88 compliant batch architectures, Recipe management, and phase logic development

• Integrate batch execution with MES for genealogy, traceability, and reporting

• PLC & Controls Integration
• Design and develop control strategies using Rockwell Automation PLCs, Perform PLC programming, and HMI/SCADA integration, Tag structure and naming standards definition, and I/O and control narrative development
• Integrate PLC systems with MES and SCADA platforms for real-time data acquisition and control

Do you have experience in Supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA)?, Education A BS degree in engineering or a related discipline. Inductive Automation Gold certification preferred., * 10+ years of experience in project management-related experience in process-related controls industries, implementing successful automation solutions involving PLC, DCS, HMI, and SCADA platforms

• Strong leadership and client relationship skills required
• Experience in one or more of the following industries: Life Sciences, Specialty Chemicals, Food and Beverage, Water and Wastewater
• Experience with FactoryTalk Batch / PlantPAx v5.20, Hybrid or cloud architectures (AWS, Azure)
• Experience with Systems Development Life Cycle (SDLC), Life Science Computerized System Validation, and cGMP compliance is preferred
• Experience in managing the design of electrical schematics, including power distribution under 480VAC, control panels; associated NEC experience desired
• Experience leading local and remote teams of engineers/technicians to provide control system solutions
• Experience mentoring less experienced engineers

Preference for experience with:

• Rockwell PLC and SCADA systems
• Inductive Automation and Sepasoft
• Wonderware System Platform
• Emerson DeltaV DCS and SCADA
• Additional SCADA/HMI experience is a plus, including Siemens, Emerson DeltaV DCS, and GE iFix
• Additional industry experience is a plus, including Solar Panel Manufacturing, Data Center, BSM, and EMS

Working Environment

Hybrid mix of standard office environment and work-from-home leadership (at least 3 days of office work, discretionary 2 days of remote work, and on-site job walks as needed per week), 25-35% level of travel to client sites in the US; diverse industrial environments; flexible for out-of-region candidates but Southern California Region (specifically Orange County, Inland Empire, and San Diego) preferred.

• Job Descriptions are not exhaustive lists of all skills, responsibilities, or efforts associated with a job. They reflect principal job elements essential for performing the job and evaluating performance.

Pulled from the full job description

• Travel reimbursement
• Referral program
• Tuition reimbursement
• AD&D insurance
• 401(k)
• Health insurance
• Paid time off, Wunderlich-Malec is proud to offer a comprehensive employee-owner benefit package. Full-time employees may be eligible for the following benefits: Medical * Dental * Vision * Basic and Supplemental Life and AD&D * Long Term Disability * Voluntary Short Term Disability * Healthcare & Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts * Health Savings Account * Paid Time Off (PTO) * Paid Holidays * Tuition Reimbursement * Referral Bonus Program * 401(k)/Profit Sharing * 100% ESOP (Employee Stock Ownership Plan) * Employee Assistance Program * Will Preparation Resources * Worldwide Travel Assistance.

Wunderlich-Malec Engineering (WM) is a 100% employee-owned ESOP and one of the largest and most well-established engineering companies in the United States. When you join WM you become part of a company that is:

• 100% employee-owned with 40+ years of industry history
• A Top 5 Systems Integrator Giant
• ENR (Engineering News Record) top 500 firm