Controls Engineer (Power Generation) - Memphis
About this role
Designing, commissioning, and maintaining plant control systems forms the core daily routine for this role on the power generation engineering team. Operating from the facility in Memphis, Tennessee, the person joining this group will take ownership of balance-of-plant programmable logic controllers, human-machine interfaces, and supervisory control and data acquisition architectures to unify generation and support systems into a single operating view.
This flat organization operates with a small, highly motivated team focused on engineering excellence and hands-on contribution. Individuals who thrive on curiosity, possess strong prioritization skills, and can communicate concisely will do well here, taking responsibility for the full project lifecycle from initial control philosophy through to ongoing plant reliability and troubleshooting.
What you will do
- Design, program, and commission balance-of-plant PLC and HMI systems including fuel gas, water, HVAC, and electrical auxiliaries.
- Develop plant SCADA architecture to provide a unified operating picture integrating Solar, 6000, and balance-of-plant systems on a single platform.
- Create control philosophies, narratives, I/O lists, network drawings, and cause-and-effect diagrams for facility-wide reuse.
- Program, test, and troubleshoot PLC logic and HMI applications utilizing IEC 61131 standards.
- Integrate OEM packages and third-party systems using industrial protocols such as Modbus, DNP3, OPC UA, and IEC 61850.
- Execute hands-on controls commissioning including I/O checkout, loop checks, functional testing, and alarm rationalization alongside technicians.
- Support ongoing plant operations by resolving sequence issues, troubleshooting bad actors, and managing configuration documentation.
What you need
- Hold a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, controls engineering, computer engineering, or a related engineering discipline.
- Bring at least three years of professional experience in PLC, HMI, or SCADA engineering focused on industrial or power generation systems.
- Demonstrate willingness to perform hands-on work directly in the plant and control room during outages and commissioning phases.
- Commit to working on-site in Memphis, Tennessee, with the potential for travel to other company facilities.
- Maintain the ability to work extended hours and weekends as required to support continuous power generation operations.
Nice to have
- 5+ years in a controls role at a power plant, independent power producer, OEM, EPC, or heavy industrial facility
- Hands-on BOP PLC/HMI experience on gas turbine or similar generation projects
- Experience building a unified control-room SCADA/HMI that aggregates multiple OEM controllers
- Familiarity with major platforms like Ignition, Allen-Bradley/Rockwell, Siemens, Emerson, GE, or SEL
- Professional Engineering license or active pursuit thereof
Skills and tech stack
Questions candidates ask
Where is this role located?
The position is based in Memphis, Tennessee, with potential travel to other sites. Candidates must be able to work on-site.
What level of experience is required?
Applicants must have a bachelor's degree in an engineering discipline along with 3+ years of experience in PLC, HMI, and/or SCADA engineering on industrial or power generation systems.
What will I actually be working on?
You will own BOP PLC/HMI and the control-room SCADA picture that brings generation and balance-of-plant into one operating view. This includes working from control philosophy through commissioning and ongoing reliability, hands-on at the panel and in the control room.
What are the working hour expectations?
Employees must have the willingness to perform hands-on work in the plant and control room, including during outages and commissioning. The role requires the ability to work extended hours and weekends as needed to support power generation operations.