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Cogent Industrial Technologies

Automation & Controls Engineer

On site

Richmond, Canada

Junior

Full Time

19-10-2025

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Skills

Communication Teamwork Dynamics Relationship Building Architecture Risk Analysis Programming Artificial Intelligence

Job Specifications

Overview

Are you looking to work for an award-winning industrial automation solutions provider that delivers complex projects designed to improve data capture, digital ecosystems and integrated solutions for industrial customers seeking increased visibility into their operations? If this sounds like you, Cogent Industrial Technologies has an immediate opening for a Automation & Controls Engineer / Technologist.

Founded in 2005 and acquired by Kadant Inc. in 2020, Cogent has a global client base of customers engaged in industrial manufacturing. We are strategically positioned to capitalize on the growing trend of businesses adopting Industry 4.0 technologies in the manufacturing sector including: the internet of things (IoT); the industrial internet of things (IIoT); cyber-physical systems (CPS); smart manufacturing; cloud computing; cognitive computing; and artificial intelligence.

Cogent's technologies are primarily utilized by companies producing wood products including pellets, engineered wood, and pulp and paper. Additional industries serviced also include utilities and facilities. The Company has an established reputation as a leader in industrial technology solutions, and with the support of Kadant, Cogent is poised for significant growth. Today, Cogent employees 20 staff and has the mandate to double in size over the course of the next two years.

Why work at Cogent Industrial Technologies?

Cogent Is Committed To The Advancement Of a More Sustainable World Through a Triple Bottom Line Approach To All Aspects Of Their Business. Cogent Continually Strives To Build a Culture And Business That Is Rooted In Integrity, Transparency, Community, And Environmental Sustainability. We Balance Economic Growth With a Focus On Environmental And Social Responsibility Which Includes:

Economic Responsibility: The economic bottom line examines the ability to maintain a sustainable, productive, and profitable business while providing value to stakeholders and clients.
Environmental Responsibility: The environmental bottom line examines how Cogent manages their footprint as a company and how it responds to pressing environmental concerns
Social Responsibility: The social bottom line examines how Cogent guarantees the well-being of its people as well as the people in the community they support.

https://cogentind.com/

Responsibilities

The Role:

Cogent is seeking an Automation & Controls Engineer to join the business at their corporate office in Richmond, British Columbia. Cogent has a flat organizational structure, you will be responsible for working with clients and designing automation solutions for brownfield modernization and greenfield installation projects. You will prepare technical drafts of engineering scopes and designs control system technical specifications, system architecture drawings, PLC programming, HMI configuration, and network configuration.

To be successful, you will have a strong technical acumen related to PLC/HMI and control network design and deployment, combined with at two years of experience at an OEM, Systems integrator, or engineering firm, in a similar engineering capacity. We are seeking a strong technical professional with excellent communication skills that shares the values and commitment to corporate social responsibility that guides Cogent. As a technical expert, the Engineer will be proactive in remaining current to ensure Cogent remains at the forefront of the latest software and technology.

Critical success factors for the Control & Automation Engineer within the first 12 months include:

Developing a deep understanding of the dynamics in Cogent, its culture, values, and needs of their client base
Establishing trusting and collaborative relationship with senior management and the broader team through clear and open communication
Delivering high quality work that meets or exceeds client and Cogent expectations.
Demonstrating an ability to perform within a smaller, entrepreneurial team environment with limited soils through collaboration, relationship building and teamwork.
Sharing a passion for establishing the Company as a global leader in industrial automation
Taking the initiative to be proactive and drive projects forward with purpose

Responsibilities:

Working with senior engineers in designing, developing, and commissioning plant-wide control systems for industrial projects in North America and globally, ranging from greenfield installations to plant modernizations.
Supporting the development of control system's technical specifications (control narratives, functional descriptions), system architecture drawings, PLC programming (Allen-Bradley, Siemens), HMI configuration (Rockwell Software, Wonderware, Ignition).
Participating in Hazard and Risk analysis for brownfield and green field plant installations, including liaising with Safety consultants and stakeholders.
Finding and parsing data in excel to characterize and specify safety systems based on IEC61511.
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About the Company

Cogent provides integrated technology solutions and project management services to industrial operations and facilities. As a leading North American system integrator with a strong international presence, our focus is on helping our clients achieve a safe, reliable, and efficient operation and empowering their personnel to manage and improve operational performance. Cogent has been inducted into the "System Integrator Hall of Fame" by Control Engineering Magazine. Cogent is a proud member of the Control System Integration As... Know more