Sr Prin Controls System Engineer

Consumers Energy•MULTIPLE LOCATIONS, MI

5d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Senior Principal Controls System Engineer serves as the highest-level technical authority for control systems across the utility or generation fleet, including multi-OEM Distributed Control Systems (DCS), related automation platforms, and Operational Technology (OT) architectures. This role supports a diverse generation portfolio, including coal, gas turbines/combined cycle, wind, solar, and Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS). This position sets the strategic direction for automation, leads major modernization initiatives, and provides expert-level guidance on multi-OEM DCS architecture, reliability, cybersecurity, and long-term controls strategy. The role provides engineering ownership for multi-OEM DCS and turbine control platforms—including Emerson Ovation, GE Mark VIe, ABB Symphony+, and Mitsubishi Netmation—as well as OT networks and secure remote access solutions that enable reliable operations. The Senior Principal Controls System Engineer is expected to balance controls logic excellence (control strategies, sequences, alarms, tuning, and HMI) with OT architecture expertise (segmentation, communications, resiliency, and cybersecurity alignment), partnering with Operations, Maintenance, Reliability, IT/OT Cybersecurity, and Compliance teams to ensure safe, compliant, and high-availability generation.

Requirements

Demonstrated ability to coach, mentor, and develop others, while leading technical aspects of product teams, including architectural and development strategy.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to clearly convey complex technical concepts to diverse audiences, including senior leadership.
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to assess challenges and refine engineering approaches to improve technical solutions.
Expertise in multiple programming languages, including object-oriented and functional programming paradigms.
Commitment to continuous learning and ongoing development of both technical and leadership skills.
Bachelor’s degree in Computers, Engineering, or a related technical field, with ten (10) 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 twelve (12) or more years of relevant experience as described above; OR High School Diploma or GED with fourteen (14) or more years of relevant experience as described above.

Responsibilities

Perform or oversee asset health evaluations, OTAM inventories, and serve as the senior principal liaison with Power Control, MOC, plant energy management system OEMs, and OT teams.
Ensure compliance with cybersecurity frameworks such as NERC Critical Infrastructure Protection (CIP) and FERC Standards of Conduct (SOC), working closely with IT security teams. Provide fleet-level technical governance, exception and compensating control strategies, and represent engineering during audits.
Provide guidance and mentorship to Principal Controls System Engineers, fostering skill development and knowledge sharing, including the development of technical training programs.
Represent the company in industry forums and conferences, contributing thought leadership to the broader technical community. Lead innovative initiatives and evaluate emerging technologies to enhance system capabilities.
Participate in commissioning activities for new equipment and system upgrades.
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 proficiency in scripting and automation using Python, C, C++, or platform-specific languages.
Lead major DCS integration initiatives and upgrades across multiple control systems and facilities, while providing subject matter expert (SME) support for new generation development.
Design and develop control network architectures, including IP addressing schemes, network layouts, and configuration of communication links between vendors and devices.
Perform routine and complex troubleshooting, maintenance, root cause analysis, alarm management, and configuration updates to ensure real-time operation of DCS systems. Develop operator-facing dashboards and implement improvements to existing dashboards to support Operations.
Identify, scope, and lead projects requiring cross-functional collaboration, including developing architecture for system upgrades and DCS enhancements.
Perform other duties as assigned.