Senior Applications Engineer - Hydrogen Infrastructure

Powertech Labs Inc.; Surrey; On-site; CAD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Powertech Labs Inc. seeks a Senior Engineer to lead deployment, commissioning and optimization of hydrogen infrastructure. You will interface with customers, engineering, software and technicians across the equipment lifecycle, enabling design, testing and field improvements.

The role emphasizes field service, applications engineering, controls and automation, with regular travel in North America. A strong background in industrial automation and safety is essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Mechatronics or Automation Engineering.
• PEng registration or eligibility withEGBC considered.
• Minimum eight years in industrial automation, commissioning or related roles.
• Experience supporting industrial systems through install, commissioning and ops.
• Strong customer-facing technical support experience.
• Willingness to travel regularly across North America.

Responsibilities

• Lead site commissioning, startup, and performance verification of hydrogen fueling stations.
• Troubleshoot electrical, instrumentation, controls, and process issues in the field.
• Perform diagnostics and root cause analysis to improve reliability.
• Support preventive maintenance and operational improvements.
• Produce commissioning reports and field service documentation.
• Interface between customers and engineering teams.
• Analyze requirements and provide application-specific solutions.
• Configure equipment, optimize processes, and document SOPs.
• Support FAT and system validation activities.
• Assist with safety reviews and HAZOP studies.

Skills

Hydrogen systems

Field service

Controls troubleshooting

Customer support

Project coordination

Safety & quality

Troubleshooting root cause

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical/Electrical/Mechatronics/Automation Engineering

P.Eng. registration or eligible

Tools

Allen-Bradley PLC

HMI/SCADA

CAD

Job description

The Senior Engineer will be responsible for the deployment, commissioning, operation, and optimization of hydrogen infrastructure projects. Working closely with customers, engineering teams, software developers, technicians and fabrication personnel, you will serve as a technical subject matter expert throughout the equipment lifecycle from design, build, factory testing and site commissioning through customer support & system improvements. This role combines equipment design, field service engineering, applications engineering, controls troubleshooting with opportunities for travel to customer sites and active involvement in advancing hydrogen infrastructure technologies

Field Service & Commissioning

• Lead and support site commissioning, startup, and performance verification of hydrogen fueling stations and equipment.
• Troubleshoot complex electrical, instrumentation, controls, and process-related issues in the field.
• Perform system diagnostics and root cause analysis to minimize downtime and improve reliability.
• Support preventive maintenance activities and develop recommendations for operational improvements.
• Produce commissioning reports, field service documentation, and corrective action recommendations.

Applications Engineering

• Serve as the technical interface between customers and engineering teams.
• Analyze customer requirements and provide application-specific solutions for hydrogen fueling systems.
• Support equipment configuration, process optimization, and operational enhancements.
• Evaluate customer operating data and recommend improvements to system performance, reliability, and efficiency.
• Assist in developing standard operating procedures, commissioning plans, and technical documentation.

Controls, Instrumentation & Automation Support

• Configure, troubleshoot, and support PLC and HMI systems for hydrogen infrastructure equipment.
• Assist with instrumentation selection, calibration verification, and troubleshooting activities.
• Work with controls engineers to implement software enhancements and hardware upgrades.
• Support hazardous-area instrumentation and electrical equipment in accordance with applicable codes and standards.

Factory Testing & Product Development

• Support Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT) and system validation activities.
• Provide field feedback to engineering teams to improve product performance, reliability, and maintainability.
• Participate in product improvement and cost-reduction initiatives.
• Assist with hardware revisions and component substitutions based on market availability and operational lessons learned.
• Support HAZOP studies, risk assessments, and safety reviews.

Customer Support & Training

• Conduct customer training on system operation, troubleshooting, and maintenance.
• Provide detailed technical guidance to technicians, electricians, and service personnel.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics Engineering, Automation Engineering, or equivalent from a recognized university.
• Registration, or eligibility for immediate registration, as a Professional Engineer (P.Eng.) with Engineers and Geoscientists BC (EGBC).
• Minimum eight (8) years of experience in industrial automation, commissioning, field service, applications engineering, or related engineering roles.
• Experience supporting industrial systems throughout installation, commissioning, and operational phases.
• Demonstrated customer-facing technical support experience.
• Strong troubleshooting and analytical problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work independently in field environments with limited supervision.
• Strong verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and respond effectively under pressure.
• Willingness and ability to travel regularly to customer sites throughout North America.
• Demonstrated commitment to safety and quality.

Strong familiarity with:

• PLC and HMI platforms (Allen-Bradley/Rockwell preferred).
• Instrumentation, sensors, transmitters, and control valves.
• Electrical control systems and motor control circuits.
• Process controls and P&ID interpretation.
• Industrial troubleshooting and root cause analysis.
• CAD and technical documentation.
• CSA C22.1, NFPA 70, NFPA 79, and applicable IEC standards.
• Hydrogen, compressed gas, or other industrial process systems (preferred).

Job Status: Full-Time Regular

Job Affiliation: M&P

Job Level: P3

* Candidates with lesser experience are welcome to apply and will be considered at an appropriate level after an evaluation of their technical experience.

Please be advised that this role has been assessed as safety sensitive and pre-qualification alcohol and drug testing will be required as a pre-condition to employment.

As part of the selection process, applicants may be required to complete a written test/assessment and/or a presentation as part of the interview process.

Powertech Labs is an equal opportunity employer. We include everyone. We welcome applications from anyone, including members of visible minorities, women, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, persons of minority sexual orientations and gender identities, and others with the skills and knowledge to productively engage with diverse communities. We are also happy to provide reasonable accommodations throughout the selection process and while working at Powertech Labs.

Maintaining customer-confidence and our reputation is key: To this end, all our campus and laboratories are accredited to ISO9001 (quality), ISO14001 (environment stewardship) and ISO45001 (safety) and IEC/ISO 17025 for over 100 standards. To complement the focus on accreditation, we encourage our experts to drive global standards and provide development opportunities for all staff to grow in their role and to advance in their careers.

Working at Powertech is not a job but a career. If you want to be a part of a growing clean technology company that is impactful and working towards a common goal of accelerating the world towards a net zero carbon future, come and join our team.