Senior Applications Engineer - Hydrogen Infrastructure

Powertech Labs; Surrey; On-site; CAD 110,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Powertech Labs is seeking a Senior Engineer to lead deployment, commissioning, operation and optimization of hydrogen infrastructure. You will work with customers, engineering teams, software developers, technicians, and fabrication personnel across the asset lifecycle from design to site commissioning and support.

The role requires hands-on field service, applications engineering, controls troubleshooting, and travel across North America.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Mechatronics, Automation or equivalent.
• P.Eng. registration or eligibility with EGBC.
• Minimum eight years in industrial automation, commissioning, field service, applications engineering, or related roles.
• Experience supporting industrial systems through installation, commissioning, and operation.
• Strong customer-facing technical support experience.

Responsibilities

• Lead and support site commissioning, startup, and performance verification of hydrogen fueling stations and equipment.
• Troubleshoot electrical, instrumentation, controls, and process-related issues in the field.
• Provide application-specific solutions, configure equipment, and optimize processes.
• Support FATs, field feedback, and product development initiatives.
• Train customers on system operation, troubleshooting, and maintenance.

Skills

Industrial automation

PLC & HMI (Allen-Bradley)

Instrumentation & sensors

Electrical control systems

Process controls

Hazardous-area installations

CAD

Technical documentation

CSA/IEC standards

Hydrogen systems experience

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering

P.Eng. with EGBC (eligibility)

Tools

Allen-Bradley/Rockwell PLC

CAD

Instrumentation planning

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 familiarity with:

• Industrial automation systems.
• 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.
• Hazardous-area electrical installations.
• CAD and technical documentation.
• CSA C22.1, NFPA 70, NFPA 79, and applicable IEC standards.
• Hydrogen, compressed gas, or other industrial process systems (preferred).

Additional Competencies

• 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.

Job Status: Full-Time Regular

Job Affiliation: M&P

Job location : Surrey, B.C.

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.