Teammate Spotlight: Rob Delles – From Defense to DCS
Some engineers build careers in one lane. Rob Delles has built his across multiple disciplines —spanning defense, naval systems, and industrial automation. Now a C&A Technical Consultant at Hargrove Controls & Automation, Rob’s broad background, hands-on experience, and people-first mindset have made him a valuable asset to both Teammates and clients over the past eight years.
Early Career Journey
Rob’s work ethic was forged early. His first job was on his grandparents’ dairy farm, where many local families ran small operations and kids pitched in during school breaks for some extra cash. This foundation of hard work served him well when—after earning an engineering degree at Syracuse University—he landed his first engineering position with SRC, a small nonprofit research company focused on finding and neutralizing improvised explosive devices (IEDs) for the U.S. Army.
From there, he moved to General Dynamics in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, starting in guidance systems before shifting to surface‑ship work on the Navy’s Littoral Combat Ships built at Austal in Mobile, Alabama. Rob helped craft a shore‑based simulator in San Diego and eventually relocated to Mobile, supporting new hulls and vessels already in service.
“I was one of only two civilians aboard as the ship moved from Jacksonville to San Diego,” Rob recalls. “I’ve got some great pictures from the gun deck of the bow of the ship passing under the Bridge of the Americas as we traversed the Panama Canal.”
Seeking more hands-on automation, Rob joined Kimberly-Clark’s Mobile, AL mill, where he gained exposure to industrial automation, the paper industry, and future Hargrove Teammates. Realizing he preferred project work over maintenance led him to Hargrove, where he’s now approaching his eighth anniversary in September 2025.
Why Hargrove? Variety, Challenge, and Balance
At Hargrove, Rob wears multiple hats. He’s currently supporting a long-term DCS migration for one client, serving as engineering lead on a greenfield project for another, and helping shape proposal strategies across teams.
“Rob brings a unique combination of technical depth and real-world experience to every project,” says Joshua Payne, Hargrove C&A Division Leader. “His experience gives him a perspective that few engineers possess and allows him to see solutions that others might miss.”
One of the things Rob appreciates most about working at Hargrove is the variety of work. “One day I’m working on DeltaV in a chemical plant, the next it’s TDC in an oil refinery, and a month later it’s Experion in pharmaceuticals. It keeps things interesting and pushes me to grow and think outside the box.”
But at the end of the day, Rob says it’s the people who make Hargrove truly exceptional. “The work itself is rewarding, but it’s the Teammates who make it genuinely enjoyable,” Rob says. “Hargrove offers a lot of perks, but at the end of the day, it’s the people you collaborate with that make it such a great place to work.”
Mentorship and Career Wisdom
Some of Rob’s most defining career moments have stemmed from simple conversations—like the time, six months into his career at Hargrove, when he mentioned his interest in learning DeltaV to a company VP and found himself staffed on a pharmaceutical project just weeks later. That kind of responsiveness left an impression—and shaped how Rob now mentors younger engineers.
“My number one piece of advice to people earlier in their career journeys is to be vocal. If you want to learn something new, just ask. Leadership will try to put opportunities in front of you—it’s up to you to seize them,” he says.
Rob shares that mindset with others, both within Hargrove and throughout the local community. He frequently gives talks at Mobile-area schools, supports students on STEM projects, judges BEST Robotics competitions, and coordinates activities like CO2 dragster races for National Engineers Week.
“Rob is the kind of Teammate who quietly lifts the whole group,” says Joshua Payne. “He’s generous with his time and always thinking a step ahead. We’re lucky to have him.”
Outside the Office: Community and Adventure
As you might expect, Rob’s interests outside of work are as diverse as his career experiences. When he’s not at work, Rob stays active in the Mobile community and beyond. He belongs to a Mardi Gras mystic society, the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick, the Mobile Midnight Maskers, and the Elks Lodge. He scuba dives, restores classic vehicles (including a 1957 Dodge Powerwagon), and stays sharp with tabletop games, console gaming, and drumming.
When it comes to work, Rob draws from advice he received early in his career: “The best career advice I received came from an old Polish engineer. He said, ‘If you find yourself waking up every morning miserable and dreading going to work, it’s time to make a change. Maybe you change projects, maybe you change career paths, but this job is too much fun to be miserable. Don’t stay somewhere just because they offered you more money, and don’t go somewhere else just for the money. If you’re unhappy, more money won’t make you happier.'”
It’s this advice he’s carried with him—and one that continues to shape how he supports others today.
