Michael Jagels, 37
Automation Engineer
CDM Smith
Columbus, OH, United States
What Makes Michael an Engineering Leader
Michael has a wide-ranging automation skill set that allows him to comprehensively serve clients in the water and wastewater sector. Understanding the critical impact his work has on public health, he takes great pride in being part of this essential field.
A natural problem-solver, Michael prioritizes his clients’ interests in every decision and is committed to supporting them in emergencies—whether in the middle of the night, on weekends, or even while on vacation.
Achievements, Advancements & Career-related Industry Contributions
Michael is a licensed professional automation engineer in Ohio, responsible for control system assessments, design, applications engineering, construction commissioning, maintenance, and on-call support. He has designed and implemented multiple customized, plant-wide SCADA systems, developed operations and maintenance manuals, and trained operational staff to effectively use the systems for plant monitoring and control.
At CDM Smith, he serves as project technical leader on numerous water and wastewater capital projects. In this role, he provides senior technical guidance to design teams on multiple plant-wide control system upgrade initiatives—projects that will shape how facilities across the state are monitored and operated for years to come.
In addition, Michael serves as an Ohio region area coordinator for the automation discipline at CDM Smith. He manages workloads and staff availability while also supporting proposals, project pursuits, interviews, recruiting, training, and mentoring.
Specializing in construction-phase field start-up and commissioning, Michael has been—and continues to be—actively engaged in training the next generation of automation engineers, emphasizing plant operation availability and client-centered solutions.
Non-work-related Activities & Hobbies
Michael enjoys working with his hands outside of the office, often tackling DIY projects at home. Most recently, he replaced his backyard fence and refinished his shed exterior with new siding, trim, decking, and lighting.
He finds gratification in planning and breaking down projects into building blocks, mirroring the structured problem-solving he applies in his professional work. Completing a project entirely on his own provides him with the same sense of reward as finishing a successful automation system.
Interesting Details
Some of Michael’s most impactful work has centered on stormwater management. He has implemented dynamic proportional integral derivative (PID) gain control within collection systems and designed intricate time-delay logic for treatment processes that operate only during heavy storms. These efforts help manage plant flows and capacities, reducing sewer overflows.
This professional expertise extends to his personal life. At home, Michael and his wife have transformed their yard into a native plant sanctuary. Native plants, with their deep root systems, are highly effective in reducing stormwater runoff—linking his professional knowledge with personal passion.
Why Michael Chose This Career
Michael chose this career because of his love for controls engineering. He finds it deeply satisfying to start with a blank screen and a stack of drawings and transform them into a fully automated plant.
For him, being a “control freak” is a strength. Standing inside a plant, hearing valves open or motors start, and knowing it’s happening because of his programming brings immense pride. The fact that those processes deliver clean drinking water and safe wastewater treatment to his community is, as he describes it, “the cherry on top.”
