Controls Engineer

NAES•Spring, TX

About The Position

The Controls Engineer is a corporate-level technical resource in a centralized support organization, providing billable controls engineering services across a fleet of power generation facilities. The role is deployed to multiple sites according to operational needs, project demand, and outage schedules, combining hands-on control system engineering with project execution. The engineer works independently in field environments with minimal supervision and is expected to deliver high-quality technical outcomes, remain responsive and reliable, and sustain a high level of utilization. The position coordinates with site teams, corporate engineering, vendors, customers, and other stakeholders. It performs troubleshooting, system modifications, commissioning support, and lifecycle maintenance; develops and executes plans for upgrades and outages; and leads technical discussions while tracking actions and ensuring work is completed safely and effectively. The role is accountable for technical quality, project delivery, scope and change management, risk identification, progress reporting, and execution within established budgets. The Controls Engineer 3 reports to the IT/OT Director and has no direct reports. Normal working hours are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, although extended hours may be required. Ground and air travel is required, with travel of up to 50–70%. Work is performed from an established home office or headquarters office and at industrial sites, where protective clothing and equipment are required. Site work may involve industrial hazards, high noise levels, and new construction. Physical mobility across stairways, ladders, grating, and uneven terrain, and the ability to see, hear, read, and react to warning signs, lights, and alarms, are essential. All employees participate in the Fitness for Duty Program, including a post-offer physical examination and drug screening and post-employment random drug screening. NAES expects employees to follow its safety rules and procedures and is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in engineering from an accredited college or university recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, or equivalent; relevant work experience may substitute for education on a year-for-year basis.
Six years of controls engineering experience.
Experience troubleshooting control systems, analyzing logic, modifying systems, and performing commissioning in live plant environments.
Experience with control system architecture, including HMIs, historians, field instrumentation integration, and industrial networking.
Strong hands-on experience with one or more major control system platforms, including Siemens TXP/T3000, GE Mark, Emerson Ovation, Rockwell, or ABB, covering configuration, troubleshooting, and modification.
Strong analytical and troubleshooting skills, including diagnosing and resolving complex control system issues under time and operational constraints.
Clear verbal and written communication skills, particularly when conveying technical information to plant personnel, engineers, and stakeholders.
Practical understanding of project execution, including planning, risk identification, and change management in operational environments.
Ability to work effectively in field environments without direct supervision and exercise sound technical judgment and decision-making.
Ability to review technical scopes of work and translate requirements into executable engineering tasks.
Ability to coordinate with vendors, review technical proposals, and support scope execution.
Ability to travel up to 50–70%, including ground and air travel.
Ability to work at industrial sites requiring protective clothing and equipment and potentially involving industrial hazards, high noise levels, and new construction.
Physical mobility to traverse stairways, ladders, grating, and uneven terrain.
Ability to see, hear, read, and react to warning signs, lights, and alarms.
Participation in the Fitness for Duty Program, including post-offer physical examination and drug screening and post-employment random drug screening.

Responsibilities

Perform hands-on control system troubleshooting, modifications, commissioning support, and lifecycle maintenance across multiple facilities.
Provide independent controls support at power plants, using sound technical judgment in operationally critical situations and with minimal supervision.
Develop and execute pre-activity and outage plans for control system upgrades and maintenance, including scope definition, risk identification, and commissioning activities.
Mobilize to multiple facilities for outages, projects, and emergent support based on operational demand.
Coordinate with site personnel, corporate engineering, and third-party vendors to execute control system work safely and effectively.
Lead technical discussions and meetings, track action items, and drive timely resolution of control system issues.
Support vendor engagement, including scope development, proposal review, and work coordination, while performing core technical work directly.
Ensure control system work meets technical requirements and customer expectations, and take accountability for successful execution.
Identify and manage scope changes as site and project conditions evolve while maintaining alignment with contractual requirements.
Identify technical risks that could affect system performance or project delivery and escalate them appropriately.
Capture lessons learned and contribute to standardization and improvement of controls engineering practices.
Track and report project progress, labor hours, schedule adherence, and technical deliverables.
Support execution within established budgets and identify cost optimization opportunities while maintaining system reliability and performance.
Coordinate with fellow IT/OT and corporate engineers to align on technical standards and project execution.
Coordinate with external customers, automation vendors, OEMs, and other external parties on scope execution and troubleshooting.
Follow NAES safety rules and procedures and work safely at all times.