Controls Engineer, Power Generation & Microgrid

Controls Engineer, Power Generation & Microgrid

Quick Facts

• Own control architecture and functional requirements for on-site power generation and microgrid systems supporting large AI data center campuses
• Travel: 50%

Description

Design, program, integrate, and commission plant power controller and microgrid control systems for gas turbine and reciprocating engine plants. Develop control sequences for grid-connected, islanded, and transition modes, and coordinate active/reactive power and frequency/voltage control across generation, MV UPS, and other distributed energy resources. Carry work from concept and factory testing through site commissioning, performance validation, and operational improvements.

Responsibilities

• Power generation and microgrid controls: design/program/commission PPC and microgrid control systems; develop sequences for startup/shutdown/synchronization/load sharing/islanding/load shedding/black start/restoration; define response to generator trips, utility loss, large load changes, equipment failures, and communications loss; define boundaries between OEM turbine/engine controls, generator controls, the PPC, protection systems, and data center controls
• Electrical systems and utility interconnection: translate interconnection requirements into plant control, protection, metering, communications, and testing requirements; define controls/interfaces at the point of interconnection (power limits, voltage and frequency response, reactive power/power factor, telemetry, dispatch); review interconnection studies and track compliance actions; use load-flow/short-circuit/stability/step-load/EMT study results to derive control settings, sequences, and test cases
• Control architecture: produce functional design specifications, sequences of operation, network architecture diagrams, I/O lists, and alarm philosophies; review P&IDs and instrumentation for balance-of-plant systems; define equipment interfaces, control modes, permissives, interlocks, and failure responses between OEM packages and the plant control system
• Real-time simulation and hardware-in-the-loop (HIL): develop/execute real-time simulation and HIL tests using RTDS and RSCAD; build/validate representative models from generation and interconnection through distribution to representative GPU rack loads; create test cases for normal operation, mode changes, load steps, trips, faults, and failures; compare simulation/HIL with equipment data and document model assumptions and limitations
• Testing, commissioning, and delivery: develop/review FAT, SAT, and integrated systems test plans; support factory testing, energization, tuning, and commissioning; troubleshoot integration issues using controller data, alarms, event records, trends, and test results; coordinate interface gap resolution and issue closure with OEMs, EPCs, utilities, and integrators; hand over final deliverables (software, configurations, backups, test records, operating instructions, training) to operations

Requirements

• 8+ years hands-on experience designing, programming, integrating, and commissioning industrial controls for power generation, industrial plants, utilities, or mission-critical infrastructure
• Strong hands-on experience with PLC, DCS, SCADA, historian, industrial networking, and control-system integration
• Experience with plant power control and generator controls (synchronization, load sharing, islanding, load shedding)
• Experience integrating controls with power generation equipment, protective relays, SCADA/EPMS, and other plant systems
• Experience developing functional specifications, sequences, I/O, alarms, graphics, and factory or site test procedures
• Ability to troubleshoot across software, instrumentation, electrical, mechanical, communications, and operating-process boundaries
• Understanding of industrial cybersecurity, redundancy, failover, and change-control practices
• Bachelor’s degree in controls, electrical, mechanical, chemical engineering, computer engineering, or related field

Benefits

• Help deliver safe, reliable power-system control for large AI data center campuses at scale
• Hands-on end-to-end exposure across design, real-time simulation/HIL, commissioning, and operational improvement