Senior Control Systems Specialist

Job Title: Senior Control Systems Specialist

Location: United Arab Emirates (Remote)

Employment Type: Full-Time

Work Arrangement: 100% Remote — Work From Home

Level: Senior

About the Role

We are seeking an experienced Senior Control Systems Specialist to support the design, analysis, optimization, and technical oversight of industrial automation and control systems. The role focuses on control system architecture, PLC and SCADA configuration reviews, distributed control systems (DCS), instrumentation interfaces, system performance analysis, and automation reliability. Working remotely, the specialist will collaborate with engineering, operations, maintenance, cybersecurity, and project teams to improve control system performance, support technical troubleshooting, and ensure that automation solutions meet operational and engineering requirements.

Key Responsibilities

• Review control system architectures, functional specifications, control narratives, and automation design documentation.
• Provide technical guidance on programmable logic controllers (PLCs), supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA), distributed control systems (DCS), and related automation platforms.
• Evaluate control logic documentation, sequence descriptions, interlock matrices, alarm configurations, and process control strategies.
• Review instrumentation diagrams, input/output lists, control panel documentation, and system interface specifications.
• Analyze historical process data, control system trends, alarm records, and performance indicators to identify operational inefficiencies.
• Support the assessment and optimization of process control loops, operating parameters, and automation sequences.
• Review system integration requirements involving instrumentation, industrial networks, communication protocols, and supervisory applications.
• Coordinate remotely with engineering teams to investigate control system incidents, recurring faults, and performance deviations.
• Assess proposed system modifications and evaluate their potential impact on process safety, equipment reliability, and operational continuity.
• Support factory acceptance testing (FAT) and site acceptance testing (SAT) through remote documentation review, test evidence assessment, and technical coordination.
• Review commissioning plans, control system test procedures, configuration records, and handover documentation.
• Support the development and maintenance of control system standards, engineering procedures, and technical specifications.
• Review alarm management practices and recommend improvements to alarm prioritization, rationalization, and reporting.
• Collaborate with cybersecurity teams to assess industrial control system security, access controls, network segmentation, and configuration management.
• Monitor control system lifecycle risks, software version status, obsolescence concerns, and vendor support requirements.
• Support root cause analysis of automation-related incidents using available logs, trend data, and engineering reports.
• Coordinate with equipment suppliers, system integrators, and automation vendors to resolve technical queries and documentation gaps.
• Prepare technical assessment reports, performance dashboards, risk registers, and recommendations for engineering management.
• Provide technical mentoring to junior automation and control systems personnel.
• Recommend improvements in system reliability, maintainability, process efficiency, and automation governance.

Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Control Systems Engineering, Instrumentation Engineering, Automation Engineering, or a related discipline.
• Significant experience in industrial automation, process control, instrumentation, or control systems engineering.
• Strong knowledge of PLC, SCADA, DCS, and industrial automation architectures.
• Experience reviewing control logic, functional design specifications, process control narratives, and instrumentation documentation.
• Familiarity with common industrial communication protocols, such as Modbus, OPC, Profinet, Ethernet/IP, and Profibus.
• Understanding of process control fundamentals, PID control, alarm management, interlocks, and sequence control.
• Experience with industrial control system integration, system upgrades, and automation lifecycle management.
• Knowledge of industrial cybersecurity principles and relevant standards, including IEC 62443, is an advantage.
• Familiarity with engineering tools, control system simulation environments, historian platforms, and technical documentation systems.
• Ability to interpret P&IDs, loop diagrams, wiring diagrams, control architecture drawings, and technical specifications.
• Experience supporting FAT, SAT, commissioning, and control system performance reviews.
• Strong analytical and troubleshooting skills, particularly in evaluating control system data and technical evidence.
• Excellent technical writing, reporting, and stakeholder coordination capabilities.
• Ability to work independently and collaborate effectively with geographically distributed engineering teams.
• Relevant professional engineering registration, automation certifications, or vendor-specific control system qualifications are an advantage.

What We Offer

• A fully remote, work-from-home position based in the UAE.
• The opportunity to support industrial automation and control system improvement initiatives.
• Exposure to modern control platforms, industrial integration projects, and engineering technologies.
• Collaboration with multidisciplinary engineering, operations, maintenance, and cybersecurity teams.
• Opportunities for professional development in automation and control systems engineering.

How to Apply

Interested candidates should submit an updated CV highlighting their control systems experience, automation platforms, industrial integration projects, and relevant engineering qualifications.

Application Subject: Application – Senior Control Systems Specialist (UAE Remote)

Candidates should confirm applicable employment arrangements, UAE residency requirements, and work authorization before accepting an offer.

• Role Scope: This is a fully remote engineering support, technical review, data analysis, and coordination position. Physical installation, wiring, equipment testing, field inspections, commissioning activities, live plant intervention, and emergency operational control must be performed by qualified local personnel. Safety-critical control changes, protection-system modifications, operational set-point approvals, and formal engineering sign-offs must be reviewed and authorized by appropriately qualified and designated professionals. Remote access to live industrial systems must follow approved cybersecurity, operational safety, and access-control procedures.