ICS / Controls Specialist

Parsons is seeking an experienced ICS / Controls Specialist to join our Federal Solutions and Commissioning teams. The successful candidate will bring strong expertise in industrial control systems (ICS), SCADA, process controls validation, and the integration of safety-critical control logic in defense manufacturing and high-hazard process environments. 

Parsons routinely supports secure federal and industrial facilities where control system integrity is directly linked to process safety and mission success. Candidates must be technically rigorous, clear communicators, and comfortable operating in environments that require careful attention to configuration management, cybersecurity considerations, and coordinated start-up activities. 

An attractive Parsons compensation and benefits package is offered. This role provides the opportunity to apply specialized controls and ICS validation expertise on major defense manufacturing and high-hazard process programs while contributing to the development of Parsons’ commissioning capabilities. 

Position requires substantial on-site presence at federal installations and client manufacturing facilities during design reviews, construction, start-up, and controls validation phases, plus travel to vendor facilities for Factory Acceptance Testing as required. 

This position is based near Little Rock, Arkansas and is part of a 4–5 year contract. During the first year, remote work is permitted. After the first year, the selected candidate will be required to either reside within commuting distance of Little Rock, AR or be willing to relocate to the area.

What You'll Be Doing: 

ICS / Controls Specialists ensure that process control systems, safety interlocks, emergency shutdown logic, and associated instrumentation perform as designed and support safe, reliable operations. You will work across multi-party teams to validate control system design intent, execute point-to-point and functional testing, and confirm that control strategies are ready for production and sustained operations. 

• Lead or support technical validation of industrial control systems (ICS), SCADA platforms, process control strategies, and safety-critical control logic in defense manufacturing and high-hazard process environments. 

• Develop, review, and refine commissioning, start-up, and controls validation requirements, plans, and procedures for process control and safety systems. 

• Direct, witness, and validate Factory Acceptance Tests (FAT), Site Acceptance Tests (SAT), point-to-point checkouts, Functional Performance Tests, and Integrated Systems Testing for control systems and instrumentation. 

• Validate safety interlocks, emergency shutdown (ESD) logic, permissive sequences, alarm management, and related safety-critical control functions. 

• Perform and review trend analysis, loop checks, and performance verification of process control loops and supervisory systems.

• Support integrated operational readiness validation of control systems that interface with production equipment, process utilities, and facility safety systems. 

• Review control system design submittals, network architecture, cause-and-effect matrices, logic narratives, and O&M documentation; identify gaps affecting safety, operability, or maintainability. 

• Maintain issue, nonconformance, and retest registers related to controls and instrumentation; drive timely, team-oriented resolution.

• Coordinate control system interfaces with process equipment, utility systems, and facility networks during start-up and turnover. 

• Support basic cybersecurity and configuration management considerations applicable to ICS/SCADA environments in industrial and defense settings. 

• Prepare clear technical reports, readiness assessments, and briefings for project leadership, clients, and stakeholders.

• Team with commissioning, process, and utility specialists; support mentoring of junior personnel and continuous improvement of Parsons’ ICS and controls commissioning practices. 

• Additional office locations or hybrid arrangements may be considered upon request consistent with project demands. 

What Required Skills You'll Bring: 

• 5+ years of experience with ICS/SCADA systems and process controls validation in industrial, defense manufacturing, or high-hazard process environments.

• Demonstrated experience with point-to-point checkout, functional testing, integrated systems testing, and validation of safety interlocks and emergency shutdown logic.

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Controls Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related technical discipline (ABET-accredited preferred). Equivalent combination of education and relevant experience will be considered. 

• Working knowledge of industrial control system architectures, process control strategies, instrumentation, and applicable industrial or federal facility standards. 

• Hands-on experience with FAT/SAT of control systems, trend analysis, loop tuning verification, and operational readiness testing of process controls. 

• Ability to develop and review test plans, procedures, cause-and-effect matrices, and readiness documentation for control systems. 

• Strong technical communication skills and the ability to work effectively in multi-disciplinary project teams. 

• Ability and willingness to deploy to client manufacturing sites and federal installations for extended periods during design, construction, start-up, and controls validation phases. 

• Must be able to pass a general background check. 

• Must be able to speak fluent English (ability to speak Korean is a plus)

What Desired Skills You'll Bring: 

• Professional Engineer (PE) registration. 

• Prior experience in defense manufacturing, ammunition/energetics facilities, or other high-hazard process plants. 

• Experience with major DCS/PLC/SCADA platforms and associated engineering tools. 

• Familiarity with ICS cybersecurity frameworks, network segmentation, and configuration management practices applicable to industrial control systems. 

• ISA, CAP, or equivalent controls / automation certifications. 

• Prior hands-on or instrumentation & controls (I&C) technician experience highly desirable.