Sr Controls System Engineer

Consumers Energy•Jackson, MI

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

Consumers Energy is Michigan’s largest energy provider, providing natural gas and/or electricity to 6.8 million of the state’s 10 million residents in all 68 Lower Peninsula counties. Consumers Energy knows job number one is to keep the lights on for customers. We are committed to delivering reliable, clean, and affordable energy to our customers 24/7. This position is not eligible for immigration sponsorship, e.g., H-1B, TN, etc. Please do not apply if you will need immigration sponsorship for a work visa now or in the future, including sponsorship for H-1B, TN, etc., now or in the future. We are unable to hire individuals with CPT, OPT, or STEM OPT for this position as the position is not eligible for participation in the H-1B lottery program and is not eligible for current or future immigration sponsorship for a work visa. Location : This is a hybrid (virtual/onsite) position with required onsite days on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday assigned to Parnall located in Jackson, MI. The selected candidate must be within a commutable distance or willing to relocate (relocation package is available for those that qualify). General Summary of Job Responsibilities The Senior Controls System Engineer leads complex troubleshooting, system optimization, and multi‑OEM Distributed Control Systems (DCS), automation platforms, and operational technology (OT) architectures across a diverse generation portfolio, including coal, gas turbine/combined cycle, wind, solar, and Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS). This role drives improvements in reliability, efficiency, and cybersecurity while mentoring junior engineers and coordinating with original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and contractors. This position provides engineering ownership of multi‑OEM DCS and turbine control platforms—including Emerson Ovation, GE Mark VIe, ABB Symphony+, and Mitsubishi Netmation—as well as the OT networks and secure remote access architectures that enable reliable plant operations. The Senior Controls System Engineer balances excellence in control logic (control strategies, sequences, alarms, tuning, and HMI development) with OT architecture expertise (network segmentation, communications, resiliency, and cybersecurity alignment). The role partners closely with Operations, Maintenance, Reliability, IT/OT Cybersecurity, and Compliance teams to deliver safe, compliant, and high‑availability generation.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Computers, Engineering, or a related technical field, with four (4) or more years of experience supporting OEM Distributed Control Systems (DCS), EDS systems/servers, and plant energy management systems; [OR] Associate degree in a related field with six (6) or more years of relevant experience as described above; [OR] High School Diploma or GED with eight (8) or more years of relevant experience as described above.
Demonstrated ability to make complex decisions and influence both technical and business stakeholders.
Proficiency in multiple programming languages, with the ability to adapt to various automation and scripting environments.
Strong coaching, mentoring, and instructional skills, with experience leading technical aspects of engineering or product teams, including architecture and development strategy.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, enabling clear technical documentation and effective stakeholder alignment.
Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills, with the ability to assess challenges, apply structured methodologies, and refine engineering solutions.

Responsibilities

Configure and maintain multiple OEM Distributed Control System (DCS) platforms, EDS systems/servers, and plant energy management systems, including alarms and historian data points. This requires an understanding of scripting and automation using Python, C, C++, or platform‑specific languages.
Support or lead DCS integration initiatives and system upgrades across multiple facilities.
Perform routine and non‑routine troubleshooting, maintenance, root cause analysis, alarm management, and configuration updates to ensure real-time operational performance of DCS systems. This may include minor modifications to operator‑facing dashboards and HMI displays.
Support, review, and design control network architectures, including layouts, IP addressing, and communications, and configure data links between multiple vendors and devices.
Identify, scope, and support projects requiring collaboration with cross‑functional teams while developing the architecture required for DCS system upgrades and long‑term improvements.
Perform asset health evaluations, maintain OT asset management (OTAM) inventories, and serve as a senior liaison with power control teams, management of change (MOC) processes, plant energy management system OEMs, and OT stakeholders.
Ensure compliance with applicable cybersecurity frameworks and regulatory requirements, including NERC Critical Infrastructure Protection (CIP) standards and FERC Standards of Conduct (SOC), in close coordination with IT security teams.
Perform other related, non-essential duties as assigned or required.
Provide guidance and mentorship to Controls System Engineers, fostering technical skill development and knowledge sharing.
Participate in commissioning activities for new equipment, plant expansions, or system upgrades.