Control Systems Engineer (remote)

NAES Corporation; Peterborough; Hybrid; GBP 52,000 - 58,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a Control Systems Engineer to ensure the reliability and efficiency of its diverse power generation assets. This role involves monitoring and troubleshooting control systems, adhering to safety regulations, and collaborating with engineering teams. The ideal candidate will have expertise in PLC programming and control systems, with opportunities for travel across the UK. Join a dynamic team dedicated to innovation and excellence in the energy sector, where your contributions will directly impact operational success and sustainability.

Benefits

Private Health Care

Company Pension Scheme

Bonus Potential

Holiday Entitlement

Sick Pay

Qualifications

• Strong understanding of control systems and PLCs.
• Proficient in PLC programming and HMI development.
• Advanced troubleshooting and diagnostic skills.

Responsibilities

• Monitor and troubleshoot control systems for power generation.
• Develop documentation and logs for performance and repairs.
• Design and implement control systems, including SCADA and PLC.

Skills

Control Systems

PLC Programming

SCADA

HMI Development

Troubleshooting

Root Cause Analysis

Communication Skills

Organizational Skills

Tools

GE Fanuc Machine Edition

Siemens SIMATIC S7/WinCC

Allen Bradley Studio 5000

Woodward GAP

Job description

The Control Systems Engineer plays a vital role in supporting the Whitetower Energy Ltd. portfolio, ensuring the reliability and efficiency of diverse power generation assets across the UK. This portfolio includes six Open Cycle Industrial Trent gas turbines located in Middlesborough, Derby, Birmingham (two units), Exeter, and Croydon, as well as a single LM6000 Open Cycle gas turbine in Dewsbury. Additionally, Peterborough hosts two GE Frame 9 Open Cycle gas turbines and five Wartsila 10MW diesel reciprocating generating units.

Opportunity Summary

The Control Systems Engineer is responsible for monitoring, maintaining, and troubleshooting control systems across the Whitetower Energy Ltd. portfolio, ensuring maximum production output and quality. This role prioritises adherence to strict safety and environmental regulations and focuses on Engine, Package, and Balance of Plant control systems. While experience with Open Cycle (OCGT) or Closed Cycle (CCGT) Gas Turbine technology is desired, applications are encouraged from Control Engineers with power industry experience and Automation, Mechatronics, or Multiskilled Maintenance Engineers looking to specialise in controls.

Extensive travel is required to support the Whitetower Energy portfolio of power plant assets, with the flexibility to work from home when not traveling to sites.

Key Duties And Responsibilities

• Become the central control systems expert within the business and develop expertise in a wide range of control systems.
• Identify root causes of failures and work to eliminate equipment problems.
• Develop and maintain documentation and logs to record performance, issues, repairs, tests, and other relevant details.
• Analyse and interpret signals from log files to enhance equipment performance and reliability.
• Assist EC&I Technicians/Engineering in diagnosing and troubleshooting related issues as required.
• Communicate any issues or problems observed at the plant while on-site.
• Travel regularly across the UK and occasionally internationally as needed to support operations and provide technical expertise for the Whitetower Energy portfolio of power plant assets.
• Build strong working relationships with third-party control system engineering support.
• Complete additional tasks as requested by the EC&I Manager or other management staff.
• Design, implement, and modify control systems, including SCADA, DCS, PLC programming, HMI graphical updates, and control panel layouts, to improve system functionality and meet operational needs.
  
  
  

NAES SAFE

Safety is a core value at NAES, and as a condition of employment, all employees are expected to remain mentally alert and work safely at all times. Employees must adhere to all safety warnings and posted signs while on company property, as well as follow all NAES safety rules and procedures. Effectiveness in fulfilling these responsibilities is an integral part of each employee’s performance evaluation.

Working Relationships

The Control Systems Engineer reports to the EC&I Manager and collaborates with other Whitetower Energy personnel, particularly the EC&I and Engineering Teams, on matters related to the plant's daily operations. In the absence of the EC&I Manager, the Control Systems Engineer takes direction from the General Manager.

Physical Requirements And Working Conditions

Some work will be carried out in a power plant environment. Physical requirements include the possibility of standing for extended periods, climbing stairs and ladders, and the ability to lift up to 15 kg. Protective equipment, including hard hats, safety glasses, ear protection, and gloves, must be worn when performing certain duties.

The role requires good physical health to manage both site-based and office-based activities and includes extensive travel to support power plant assets.

Fitness For Duty

All employees will be required to participate in the Fitness for Duty Programme. This includes a post-offer physical examination, drug screening, and ongoing random drug screening during employment. There are strict smoking restrictions in and around the facility.

Work Schedule

The standard work schedule is Monday to Friday, 37 hours per week, from 08:00 to 16:00, with an early finish at 15:30 on Fridays. Overtime opportunities are available.

Compensation

Initial starting compensation will range from £52,000 to £58,000 (inclusive of shift pay) dependant on experience.

Qualifications And Experience

• Strong understanding of control systems, including PLCs, HMIs, SCADA/DCS, networks, servers/drives, and data handling.
• Proven experience in developing designs, layouts, control panels, and wiring schematics for control system modifications.
• Proficient in PLC programming, including modifying and writing code for GE Fanuc Machine Edition (essential), Siemens SIMATIC S7/WinCC (essential), Allen Bradley Studio 5000, and Woodward GAP (desirable).
• Expertise in HMI graphical application development, including designing user interfaces and enhancing visual displays for improved user experience.
• Knowledge of industrial communication protocols, including serial interfaces, Profibus, Ethernet, and Modbus.
• Advanced diagnostic and troubleshooting skills, with a track record of resolving complex technical challenges.
• Basic understanding of compressible flow characteristics (natural gas, air) and experience in fault diagnostics with field equipment such as instrumentation, actuators, and motors.
• Knowledge and experience with a computerised maintenance management system (CMMS), in areas such as work orders, job plans, and purchasing.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, strong organisational abilities, and proficiency with personal computer software.
• Demonstrated integrity, enthusiasm, and loyalty, with strong teamwork skills and a commitment to tasks and purposes.
• Must possess a valid and unrestricted driving licence, ensuring it remains in good standing at all times.
  
  
  

The Role Includes:

• Private Health Care
• Company Pension scheme
• Bonus potential
• Holiday entitlement
• Sick pay
  
  
  

Job type – Full time, permanent

Note: You will be asked to provide right to work documents should you be selected for an interview.

NAES is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace. It is the practice of NAES to seek employees of the highest quality and to select individuals based on merit and competence, without regard to race, colour, religion, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, disability, military status, or any other basis of discrimination.

Qualifications

Skills

Preferred

Engineering: Advanced

Controls: Advanced

Control System Protocols: Advanced

Control System Networks: Advanced

SCADA: Advanced

DCS - Distributed Control System: Advanced

PLC - Programmable Logic Controller: Advanced

Power Plant Operations: Some Knowledge

Power Plant Fundamentals: Intermediate

Power Generation: Intermediate

Network Security: Some Knowledge

Modbus: Intermediate

Root Cause Analysis: Advanced

Troubleshooting: Advanced

CMMS: Some Knowledge

Verbal and Written Communications: Advanced

Organizational Skills: Advanced

Behaviours

Preferred

Thought Provoking: Capable of making others think deeply on a subject

Detail Oriented: Capable of carrying out a given task with all details necessary to get the task done well

Innovative: Consistently introduces new ideas and demonstrates original thinking

Functional Expert: Considered a thought leader on a subject

Experience

Preferred

Strong understanding of control systems, including PLCs, HMIs, SCADA/DCS, networks, servers/drives, and data handling.

Proven experience in developing designs, layouts, control panels, and wiring schematics for control system modifications.

Proficient in PLC programming, including modifying and writing code for GE Fanuc Machine Edition (essential), Siemens SIMATIC S7/WinCC (essential), Allen Bradley Studio 5000, and Woodward GAP (desirable).

Expertise in HMI graphical application development, including designing user interfaces and enhancing visual displays for improved user experience.

Knowledge of industrial communication protocols, including serial interfaces, Profibus, Ethernet, and Modbus.

Advanced diagnostic and troubleshooting skills, with a track record of resolving complex technical challenges.

Basic understanding of compressible flow characteristics (natural gas, air) and experience in fault diagnostics with field equipment such as instrumentation, actuators, and motors.

Knowledge and experience with a computerised maintenance management system (CMMS), in areas such as work orders, job plans, and purchasing.

Excellent oral and written communication skills, strong organisational abilities, and proficiency with personal computer software.

Demonstrated integrity, enthusiasm, and loyalty, with strong teamwork skills and a commitment to tasks and purposes.

Licenses & Certifications

Required

Driver's License