What are the responsibilities and job description for the PLC Programmer - Flexible Work (South Texas Only) position at Mercer Controls?
PLC Programmer -- $80-$100/hr, Flexible Project Work
Modicon | Siemens | Allen-Bradley
Location: South Texas based (Houston, San Antonio, Corpus Christi, Victoria, or surrounding areas). Must be located here, candidates outside this region will not be considered.
Employment Type: Part-Time | Project-Based | 1099 Contract
Pay: $80-$100/hour, based on experience
Hours: Approximately 20-40 hours/month, as-needed and project-driven
The Opportunity
Mercer Controls is looking for a sharp, experienced PLC Programmer to pick up project work as it comes in -- no fixed schedule, no long commute, just solid pay for solid programming. If you're a controls pro who wants extra income on your own terms and can jump between Modicon, Siemens, and Allen-Bradley platforms without missing a beat, we want to talk to you. Workload runs 20-40 hours a month depending on what's active, so this is a side gig, not a second job -- though for the right person, it could grow into more down the road.
About Mercer Controls
Mercer Controls is a trusted leader in water and wastewater controls across South Texas. We design, build, and service custom control systems for municipal infrastructure and utility customers. As we continue to grow, we are focused on being the most responsive and most trusted controls company in Texas.
What You'll Be Doing
- Develop, modify, and troubleshoot PLC programs for water and wastewater control systems.
- Write and edit control logic across Schneider Electric Modicon, Siemens, and Allen-Bradley platforms.
- Support panel startup, commissioning, and field troubleshooting as needed.
- Turn control narratives and process requirements into working programs.
- Test and validate program changes before deployment to minimize customer downtime.
- Document program logic, revisions, and version history.
- Keep communication tight on project timelines and your availability.
What You Bring
- Hands-on programming experience across Modicon, Siemens, and Allen-Bradley.
- Strong grasp of ladder logic and industrial control fundamentals.
- Comfort reading electrical drawings, control schematics, and process narratives.
- Self-starter who delivers quality work without hand-holding.
- Reliable availability when project work comes up, even on short notice.
Nice to Have
- Experience with municipal water and wastewater control systems.
- SCADA/HMI integration experience (Ignition, Wonderware, or similar).
- Background in control panel startup and field commissioning.
- Prior work as a contract or freelance controls/automation pro.
The Details
- Pay: $80-$100/hour, depending on experience.
- Schedule: Project-based, roughly 20-40 hours/month -- not guaranteed to be consistent week to week.
- Great for supplemental income with the flexibility to take projects as they come.
Potential to grow into a full-time role long-term if that's of interest.
Pay: $80.00 - $100.00 per hour
Expected hours: 1.0 – 5.0 per week
Work Location: Hybrid remote in Edna, TX 77957
Salary : $80 - $100