Automation & Control Specialist

Summit Electric Supply

Phoenix, AZ

Estimated pay: Est. $28–$37/hr (market estimate, not employer-stated)

Shift: Full time

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 Summary**

The 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 soluti