Systems and methods for distributing and executing software code. In some embodiments, a method may include storing program instructions configured to invoke interactions with one or more of a plurality of automation devices, the plurality of automation devices divided into sets of one or more automation devices, each set of one or more automation devices associated with a respective Distributed Execution System (DES) node. The method may also include distributing the program instructions to each DES node, each DES node configured to operate in a discovery mode to evaluate the program instructions and identify one or more semantic statements that are applicable to its associated set of one or more automation devices, each DES node configured to operate in an execution mode subsequently to the discovery mode to execute the identified one or more semantic statements with respect to that DES node's associated set of one or more automation devices.