Senior Controls Engineer - Merit Controls

Full Time, Exempt, Travel up to 25%

Position Description:

Senior Controls Engineer is responsible for ensuring the safe, effective, and efficient commissioning of utility-scale power plants. The ideal candidate will possess strong communication skills, troubleshooting abilities, and technical knowledge across multiple disciplines and project phases. We seek an organized, responsive, and agile individual who can work independently with guidance. This position will report to the Manager of Project Engineering.

Key Responsibilities:

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure successful project execution, addressing any technical challenges and providing expert guidance.
• Demonstrated experience with industrial networks, data collection, databases, programming, and scripting, preferably in the context of renewable energy systems.
• Profound knowledge of controls engineering techniques and best practices, encompassing PLC (Programmable Logic Controller) and RTAC (Remote Terminal Access Controller) programming, including structured text (IEC61131), ladder logic, and function block diagram.
• Advanced understanding of industry-standard communications protocols such as Modbus, OPC-UA/DA, and DNP-3, with the ability to effectively utilize them in renewable energy projects.
• Lead project execution from a technical standpoint by overseeing weekly commissioning meetings, reviewing engineering design packages against project deliverables, and collaborating with the customer to complete and close out deliverables for successful project closeout.
• Ensure that customer technical and performance project requirements are met or exceeded.
• Collaborate closely with customers, internal teams, and external stakeholders to supervise and support power plant commissioning, achieve Site Acceptance, and fulfill all contractual obligations for assigned utility-scale projects.
• Provide support for troubleshooting tier I and tier II SCADA, controls, and network issues.
• Offer feedback to the Business Development and Engineering teams regarding ongoing commissioning challenges and ISO/utility requirements.
• Take charge of commissioning efforts and related project meetings post equipment delivery to ensure efficient and timely project completion.
• Verify the completion and accuracy of all pre-commissioning checklists, commissioning task lists, and close-out documentation.
• Maintain timely interaction with customers for support on assigned projects and provide assistance to the Services Organization as needed for previous projects, ensuring a high level of customer satisfaction among all stakeholders.
• Provide detailed resolutions to service tickets to contribute to and expand the knowledge database.
• Support other technical functions, such as SCADA, network, controls, and infrastructure, as required.
• Collaborate closely with the Project Management and Service teams to deliver projects within defined timelines and budgets.
• Adhere to Merit Controls' technical standardization documentation.
• Work closely with the Engineering team to deploy scalable and supportable controls, SCADA, and network solutions.
• Collaborate with project management to report project status, risks, and mitigation measures.
• Encourage creativity in developing innovative solutions.
• Demonstrate excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Utilize proven problem-solving and troubleshooting abilities.
• Mentor and coach junior associates, providing guidance to enhance their organizational skills and technical expertise in renewable energy projects.
• Adhere to quality management processes in accordance with Merit Controls' ISO 9001 certification.

Position Requirements:

Experience:

10+ years of relevant technical or engineering experience or technical experience with data collection, databases, and programming & scripting. Experience working within renewable energy including industrial or utility scale PV solar, BESS or Wind is preferred. 2+ years of Renewable Site Project Engineering experience, with a particular emphasis on site commissioning, is highly preferred.

Extensive expertise in controls engineering techniques and practices, with the ability to lead design and implementation efforts across complex projects.

Advanced knowledge of PLC and RTAC programming, including mastery of structured text (IEC 61131), ladder logic, and function block diagram. Proven ability to troubleshoot and optimize code for performance and reliability.

In-depth familiarity with industry-standard communications protocols such as Modbus, OPC-UA/DA, and DNP-3, with experience implementing and troubleshooting these in live systems.

Comprehensive experience with SCADA platforms, particularly Inductive Automation Ignition and Wonderware, including development, deployment, and ongoing system maintenance.

Strong understanding of electrical one-line schematics, with the ability to interpret and design complex electrical systems.

Robust knowledge of power systems and the ability to design, implement, and troubleshoot power control strategies.

Extensive experience in PV solar and storage monitoring functions and designs or related technical domains, with the ability to lead initiatives in renewable energy systems.

Proven project management expertise, including leading cross-functional teams, managing budgets, and delivering projects on schedule and to specification.

Education:

Bachelor's degree in an Engineering-related field such as Electrical, Computer Science, or Mechanical. A bachelor's degree in related fields is also beneficial.

Behavioral:

• Demonstrated ability to work well in collaborative team environment and start-up atmosphere.
• Enthusiasm for taking on new and challenging tasks.
• Strong interest in renewable energy, energy storage and their applications.
• Excellent analytical, quantitative, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to multitask in a fast-paced, collaborative working environment.
• Entrepreneurial mindset and self-starter.
• Sense of humor and ability to build positive relationships.

Physical Demands & Working Conditions:

• Sitting/Standing/Flexibility: Ability to stand and sit for 8 or more hours when in an office environment.
• Speech/Reading: Ability to speak, read, and write English proficiently and deliver a variety of instructions furnished in written, verbal, diagram, or schedule form.
• Lifting: Ability to lift items weighing up to 25 pounds.
• Vision/Hearing: Ability to understand a variety of instructions furnished in written, verbal, diagram, or schedule form.
• Safety: Ability to understand and communicate safety precautions when necessary.