Job Description

Job Title: Senior Controls Engineer – Power Generation & Microgrid
Location: Houston, TX (on-site)

About the Role:
A fast-growing Houston power infrastructure company is adding a senior engineer to own the automation behind its gas turbine generation fleet. These plants supply round-the-clock power to data centers and other critical facilities. You’ll take each project from early design and contractor coordination through startup in the field and long-term support. The work centers on energy management, Ignition-based SCADA and distributed control platforms that keep turbine-driven plants stable and available.

What You’ll Do:

• Engineer, program and start up SCADA, DCS and plant automation for turbine-based generation sites and microgrids
• Set up and maintain the energy management layer that dispatches turbine units (platforms like SEL Powermax, GE or Siemens)
• Act as the go-to technical contact for EPC firms, integrators, equipment manufacturers and plant operators from design through energization
• Build and check control architectures, I/O schedules, functional narratives and P&IDs
• Run or support factory testing, site testing and on-site commissioning
• Diagnose control, network and turbine/EMS problems on site or remotely to get units back online fast
• Coordinate turbine controls, protection relays and plant-level SCADA/EMS so the whole system responds as one
• Write control philosophies, operating sequences and record drawings
• Coach less experienced controls and automation engineers
• Drive improvements in reliability, OT cybersecurity and plant efficiency

What You Bring:

• BS in Electrical or Controls Engineering, a related discipline, or equivalent hands-on experience
• 5+ years in controls, automation or electrical engineering at power plants, microgrids or industrial facilities
• Direct, hands-on work with an EMS that dispatches turbine generation (SEL Powermax, GE, Siemens or similar), required
• Solid troubleshooting skills and comfort working independently in the field under tight timelines

Nice to Have:

• Ignition SCADA (Inductive Automation) and/or DCS experience (strongly preferred)
• PLC programming, industrial protocols (Modbus, DNP3, OPC-UA, IEC 61850) and protective relaying
• Background supporting EPC execution, field commissioning or utility-scale power projects
• Familiarity with NEC/IEEE standards and OT security practices