There's a Place for You at Summit Electric Supply.
A career at Summit Electric Supply is more than a job. You're investing in a brighter, more sustainable future together and joining a team that makes a real difference for our customers. Summit Electric Supply offers electrical products and services to contractors. If it helps bring electricity to an office, home, factory, or other building - you can find it here. We operate throughout Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, and Louisiana and are part of the Sonepar group, the world's #1 electrical distributor with over 45,000 associates around the globe.
Being "Powered by Difference" means we respect and value diverse perspectives. Within Summit Electric Supply we offer a supportive culture and great benefits, and as part of the larger Sonepar group, we can offer exciting opportunities to grow your career.
Role SummaryThe Automation and Control Specialist serves as the technical expert and project lead for industrial automation, motor control, and specialized technical automation projects, with a strong focus on Schneider Electric automation solutions.
In this role, the Automation and Control Specialist leverages hands-on expertise in process control, SCADA systems, and Schneider Electric PLC, HMI, and drive platforms to bridge the gap between complex engineering requirements and successful commercial project execution. This position partners closely with account managers, manufacturers, manufacturer representatives, system integrators, contractors, and industrial customers to develop, review, quote, and manage automation projects from initial concept through final delivery.
Essential Job Functions- Technical Consultation: Serve as the primary subject matter expert for industrial automation applications, with an emphasis on Schneider Electric hardware and software ecosystems, including PLCs, HMIs, Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs), industrial networking, and related control technologies.
- Application Review: Analyze customer system requirements, P&IDs, control narratives, engineering specifications, and other technical documentation to develop accurate project Bills of Material (BOMs), technical submittals, and automation solutions.
- Project Management: Manage project scope, budgets, technical requirements, and delivery schedules from concept through fulfillment, ensuring technical and commercial milestones are achieved.
- Commercial Execution: Exercise appropriate discretion and judgment in establishing customer pricing, negotiating strategic project costs with manufacturers and suppliers, and securing materials necessary to successfully execute projects.
- Customer and Vendor Collaboration: Partner with industrial end-users, system integrators, contractors, account managers, manufacturers, and manufacturer representatives to troubleshoot applications, develop quotations, resolve technical issues, and support successful project execution.
- Technical Support: Provide practical guidance and technical assistance related to automation, process control, motor control, industrial communications, and related applications.
- Continuous Improvement: Document lessons learned from complex projects and system deployments and share technical knowledge with internal teams to improve automation-related processes, workflows, and capabilities.
- Team Development: Serve as an internal technical resource and mentor, helping associates strengthen their understanding of automation products, applications, and project requirements.
Required Qualifications & Experience- Core Technical Expertise: Strong hands-on background in process control, SCADA systems, PLC/HMI architectures, motor control, and industrial automation.
- Control Panel Experience: Practical experience with control panel design, component selection and layout, panel building, or related electrical control applications.
- Industrial Experience: Experience operating, programming, supporting, or troubleshooting control systems within industrial environments such as manufacturing, mining, water/wastewater, food and beverage, chemical processing, or similar industries.
- Project Management: Demonstrated ability to organize, prioritize, and manage multiple automation projects, quotations, or system integrations simultaneously while maintaining attention to technical and commercial requirements.
- Technical Documentation: Strong ability to read, interpret, and apply engineering specifications, construction drawings, P&IDs, control narratives, schematics, and related technical documentation.
- Problem Solving: Ability to evaluate complex technical challenges, identify appropriate automation solutions, and effectively troubleshoot system and application issues.
- Communication: Excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills, with the ability to translate highly technical automation concepts into practical solutions for customers and internal teams.
- Collaboration: Ability to work effectively with customers, account managers, project teams, system integrators, manufacturers, contractors, and manufacturer representatives.
Preferred Skills & Experience- Schneider Electric Expertise: Advanced experience programming, configuring, specifying, or supporting Schneider Electric automation products, including Altivar Drives, Modicon PLCs, Harmony/Magelis HMIs, and EcoStruxure Control Expert programming software.
- Commercial and Distribution Experience: Previous experience within the wholesale electrical distribution industry or experience managing complex industrial quotations, proposals, and project requirements.
- Advanced Project Tools: Experience managing industrial projects using tools such as Smartsheet, Microsoft Project, SAP, or similar project management and enterprise systems.
- Local Market Knowledge: Established knowledge of or relationships with local industrial customers, buyers, system integrators, contractors, and manufacturer representatives.
Physical Challenges- Consistent sitting for hours at a time.
- Consistent use of keyboard and mouse.
- Must be able to lift 5 pounds on a regular and consistent basis.
- Ability to climb stairs on occasion.
- Majority of job is located inside an office during regular office hours of operation.
- Some travel required.
FLSA Status: Exempt#LI-SD1
What We Offer You
We offer great family-friendly benefits to full-time associates:
- Healthcare plans
- Dental & vision
- Paid time off
- Paid parental leave
- 401(k) retirement savings with company match
- Professional and personal development programs
- Opportunity to become a shareholder
- Employer-paid short- and long-term disability
- Employer-paid life insurance for spouse and dependents
- Robust wellness program
- Gym reimbursement
- Employee Referral Program
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
Summit Electric Supply offers tuition reimbursement, and earned wage access.
We're proud to be a military-friendly company, and our many employee resource groups (ERGs) help you make connections and feel supported.
Learn More About Us
Get to know us on YouTube, LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram and learn how we're "Powering Progress for Future Generations."
https://www.facebook.com/SummitElectricSupply/https://www.linkedin.com/company/summit-electric-supply/https://www.youtube.com/user/SummitElectricSupplyLearn more at
https://summit.com/about-usSummit Electric Supply is part of the Sonepar family of brands:
https://www.soneparusa.com/us-en/about-usEqual Employment Opportunity Statement Sonepar is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to their race, color, creed, religion, national origin, citizenship status, ancestry, sex, age, physical or mental disability unrelated to ability, marital status, family responsibilities, pregnancy, genetic information, sexual orientation, order of protection status, protected veteran or military status, or an unfavorable discharge from military service, or any other categories protected by federal, state or local law.
Sonepar and our family of brands are committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. In keeping with our commitment, we will take the steps to assure that people with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations. Accordingly, if a reasonable accommodation is required to fully participate in the job application or interview process, to perform the essential functions of the position, and/or to receive all other benefits and privileges of employment, please call 843-745-2420 or email
recruiting@sonepar-us.com.
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