Senior Controls/PLC Engineer - Hydrogen Infrastructure

Powertech Labs Inc.; Surrey; On-site; CAD 109,000 - 138,000; Full time

Job summary

Powertech Labs Inc. is seeking a senior electrical engineer to lead control system design for hydrogen infrastructure, including PLC/HMI programming and field commissioning.

You will work with technicians, engineers, and customers to ensure safety, reliability, and performance across projects in Surrey and beyond. The role requires an eight-plus year track record in industrial controls, familiarity with P&IDs, safety standards, and a PE license or eligibility for BC transfer.

Qualifications

• Eight years of direct experience in industrial controls and programming.
• Experience with PLC and HMI programming (Allen Bradley/Rockwell, Siemens).
• Instrumentation specifications and troubleshooting proficiency.
• Preparing technical specifications and control descriptions.
• Hazardous area electrical installations experience.
• AutoCAD design experience.
• Knowledge of CSA C22.1, NFPA 70, NFPA 79; IEC standards awareness.
• Process and Instrumentation Diagrams (P&IDs) and process controls expertise.
• Hydrogen or high-pressure gas experience desired.
• Professional Engineer registration with BC or eligible for transfer.

Responsibilities

• Lead and execute control system design and documentation for hydrogen refueling equipment.
• Lead PLC and HMI programming for hydrogen infrastructure equipment.
• Participate in or lead HAZOP studies.
• Size and specify instrumentation, control valves, and PLC/HMI hardware.
• Lead factory acceptance testing at Powertech.
• Lead field commissioning including travel to customer sites and startup.
• Diagnose and troubleshoot instrumentation and controls issues onsite.
• Oversee technical input to technicians and electricians.
• Develop standardized processes and technical procedures.
• Engage with contractors and customers to ensure high service levels.

Skills

Industrial automation

PLC & HMI programming

Instrumentation specs

Control descriptions

P&IDs

Risk assessments

Hydrogen/gas experience

Education

Electrical Engineering degree

Tools

AutoCAD

Job description

Powertech Labs Inc is a cleantech company with the mission of being a trusted innovation partner providing solutions, specialized testing, and technical expertise for a safe and sustainable global energy future. Powertech has a global reputation for delivering transformative solutions in both the electric power industry as well as the transport sector. A clean future will be driven by electric and hydrogen power, and we will help get there. We are always guided by our values as a global clean-technology and engineering company:

• Safety: This top everything. We do our work safely or we do not do it at all.
• Challenges: We ready ourselves for the hardest challenges – through attaining accreditations, developing industry-leading innovative products & services, investing in our labs, hiring great people, and making them better.
• Diverse Teams: We are strongest together and capitalize on our varied attributes – together we are more than the sum of parts.
• Ourcustomers: Customers fuel thiscompany,and we constantly work with them to earn and retain their trust and loyalty. We expect that our customers hold us accountable to our commitments.
• Excellence: Striving for excellence, acting with integrity, and having the highest standards in quality are core to what we do

What you'll do

• Lead and execute control system design and documentation (control narratives, functional descriptions, logic diagrams, etc) for hydrogen refueling equipment.
• Lead and execute PLC and HMI programming for hydrogen infrastructure equipment.
• Actively participate in or lead HAZOP studies.
• Size and specify instrumentation, control valves, and PLC/HMI hardware.
• Lead factory acceptance testing at Powertech.
• Lead field commissioning work, including:
  • Willing to travel to customer sites.
  • Startup of equipment.
  • Diagnosing and troubleshooting instrumentation and controls issues.
  • Hands‑on field work
• Oversee and provide technical input and directions to technicians and electricians involved in the construction and testing of the hydrogen infrastructure equipment.
• Independently strategize, analyze and design hydrogen infrastructure control systems to meet customer requirements.
• Establish quality control and safety of the process and design.
• Develop standardized processes and technical procedures.
• Demonstrate a proactive approach to sourcing of project materials and components.
• Engage effectively with multiple contractors and customers to ensure the highest level of customer service is achieved.
• Maintain professional relationships with other departments, outside consultants, contractors, customers, and suppliers in order to gather and relay information and resolve issues of concern.
• Provide customer support for new and existing hydrogen stations. This may involve remote support or travel to customer sites.
• Provide input and recommendations in the budget, work planning and resource allocation processes for the department.
• Exercise a high degree of independent judgment to solve highly complex problems that have an impact across sectors and include customers, technology, financial planning and staffing.
• Consistently demonstrate strong teamwork and collaboration skills with the Hydrogen infrastructure team.
• Foster relationships across Powertech to utilize all of the company’s resources for our clients.
• Review and align with the broader corporate objectives such as safety, quality and environment management.

What you bring

• A degree in Electrical Engineering from a recognized university.
• Minimum Eight years of direct experience in an industrial controls and programming environment with a strong familiarity in several the following areas:
• Industrial automation - PLC and HMI programming (Allen Bradley / Rockwell, Siemens)
• Instrumentation specifications and troubleshooting
• Preparing technical specifications and control descriptions
• Hazardous area electrical installations
• AutoCAD design
• Proficient with relevant codes and standards (CSA C22.1, NFPA 70, NFPA 79)
• Working knowledge of IEC standards
• Expertise in the development of Process and Instrumentation Diagrams (P&IDs) and process controls
• Proven ability in creating technical risk assessments for process designs
• Hydrogen or other high pressure gas experience is desired
• Registration as a Professional Engineer with Engineers and Geoscientists of BC. Canadian, out-of-province registrations are acceptable as long as there is an ability to immediately transfer the accreditation to Engineers and Geoscientists of BC.
• Functional Safety experience is considered an asset.
• Excellent verbal and written communications skills to adequately articulate and discuss technical options, present proposed solutions to a wide range of audiences, and the ability to adapt to the different understanding levels of the audience.
• Computer and software systems skills as applicable to position including but not limited to: Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Project, and Outlook.
• Exceptional organizational skills, driven and self‑motivated.
• Uncompromising dedication to safety and quality.
• Demonstrated analytical abilities and ability to follow‑through with various stakeholders.
• Ability to work independently and with a team and role model high standards of professionalism.

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.

What we offer

Location: Surrey
Job Grade: P3
Job Status: Full time Regular
Salary: $109K - $138K
* All applicants with lesser qualifications and relevant experience are encouraged to apply and may be considered at the
appropriate level.