Okay, I've searched for Controls & Automation Engineer roles in Birmingham, AL, with full-time schedules, requiring 6+ years of experience, and skills in Allen Bradley PLC and Rockwell Automation systems. I have found 27 positions for you.

Sure. Here's the analysis:

Job Analysis:

The Controls & Automation Engineer IV role at Hargrove is fundamentally centered on delivering comprehensive control system designs and ensuring their successful implementation in industrial and process-heavy environments. Beyond technical drafting and design, this position carries a leadership mantle: guiding junior engineers, navigating project scopes, and acting as a bridge between technical teams and client expectations. The candidate must synthesize complex regulatory standards (like ISA S88 and OSHA 1910.119) with practical system knowledge (PLC, DCS, SIS platforms predominately Allen Bradley and Rockwell Automation) to architect automation solutions that are robust, scalable, and maintainable. Challenges will often include managing design changes mid-project, troubleshooting intricate field-level problems, and balancing technical precision with client usability needs. Success is measured not only by technical excellence but also by how well projects stay on scope, budget, and schedule, alongside effective mentorship and communication that fosters team cohesion and client trust. Autonomy is high: the engineer is expected to exercise strong judgment in system design decisions, conflict resolution, and troubleshooting, often under ambiguous or fast-moving conditions typical in multi-disciplinary capital projects. Proficiency with supplementary technologies such as network protocols and cyber-security shows the role’s modern complexity, demanding both breadth and depth of technical expertise.

Company Analysis:

Hargrove occupies a respected space as a comprehensive services firm bridging engineering, procurement, construction management, and technical services, with a notable footprint in energy generation and process industries. Its identity as a 100% employee-owned company demonstrates a culture deeply invested in teamwork, integrity, and long-term relationship building—not just transactional project delivery. This culture suggests the role will thrive best with professionals who value collaboration, personal accountability, and adaptability within a decentralized, trust-based environment. Hargrove's emphasis on safety and wellbeing means this engineer's decisions and designs must always align with rigorous safety standards and ethical considerations. The company’s diverse client base and project size spectrum—from on-site support to capital projects—indicates the role will require versatility and the ability to scale one’s work from smaller, more nimble engagements to complex, multi-disciplinary teams. Organizationally, this is a senior technical position with a visible leadership component, likely interfacing with project managers and design leads, affording a strategic platform to influence project outcomes and team dynamics. The company’s positioning as an established yet innovative firm means this role is critical in upholding high standards while pushing automation capabilities that align with client needs and evolving technologies.

Absolutely. Here are some mock interview questions that could come up:

• Behavioral: Tell me about a time when you led a team through a complex control system design change. How did you manage communication and ensure project success?
• Behavioral: Describe an experience where you had to troubleshoot a challenging field automation issue under tight deadlines. What approach did you take?
• Behavioral: How have you mentored junior engineers in the past to improve their technical skills and project contributions?
• Behavioral: Give an example of when you had to balance conflicting priorities between client expectations and engineering best practices. How did you resolve it?
• Technical: Walk me through your process for developing a control system architecture that complies with ISA S88 standards.
• Technical: How do you approach integrating Allen Bradley PLCs with Rockwell HMI systems in a plant automation setting?
• Technical: Explain how you would verify and validate control system installation specifications against PFDs, P&IDs, and instrument loop sheets.
• Technical: What is your experience with network security in control systems, particularly regarding TCP/IP and Windows Active Directory environments?
• Situational: Imagine you discover a major design flaw during commissioning that could delay the project. How would you handle it with the client and your team?
• Situational: If a junior engineer on your team has made repeated errors in control logic programming, how would you address this while maintaining morale?
• Situational: How would you respond if a project scope changed mid-way requiring additional automation features but limited budget and timeline?
• Company Fit: Why are you interested in joining a 100% teammate-owned company like Hargrove, and how do you see yourself contributing to our culture?
• Company Fit: How do your personal values around safety and integrity align with Hargrove’s safety culture and operating principles?
• Company Fit: Given Hargrove’s broad client base and project types, how do you adapt your engineering approach to different industries and project scales?
• Questions to Ask Interviewer: How does Hargrove support continuous professional development and certification for senior engineers?
• Questions to Ask Interviewer: Can you describe the typical team structure and cross-disciplinary collaboration for a Controls & Automation Engineer IV on a capital project?
• Questions to Ask Interviewer: What are Hargrove’s strategic priorities for controls and automation engineering over the next 3–5 years, and how would this role contribute?