Control and Instrumentation Engineer, Distributed Generation

Electricity Supply Board; Dublin; Hybrid; EUR 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

Career development and training

CSR opportunities

Networking opportunities

Staff well-being programmes

Job summary

ESB is seeking a Distributed Generation Controls and Instrumentation Engineer to support the Engineering and Asset Management function within Renewable Operations. You will focus on grid-scale BESS projects, solar sites, and gas turbine technology, ensuring compliance with safety and regulatory standards.

The role requires 7 years of relevant experience in generation, a degree in Engineering, and strong skills in DCS/PLC, HMI, and OT networks.

Qualifications

• Hold a 3rd level qualification in Engineering or equivalent.
• Significant experience with Controls and Instrumentation technologies.
• Knowledge of IT infrastructure relevant to Industrial Control Systems and interfaces with plant systems.

Responsibilities

• Provide Controls and Instrumentation support for BESS, solar, synchronous condensers and gas turbine tech areas.
• Supervise on-site activities of contractors for C&I scope and lead commissioning activities.
• Lead scoping and delivery of C&I site works for overhauls and new assets to ESB and regulatory standards.
• Drive engineering excellence by aligning standards with ESB needs and industry norms.
• Develop and maintain knowledge of C&I systems including OT Cybersecurity and risk management.
• Define technical requirements for C&I systems for greenfield/brownfield assets.
• Promote safety culture and ensure compliance with quality procedures.
• Assess technical risk and promote best practices for distributed generation assets.
• Participate in FAT, SAT, and commissioning documentation reviews.

Skills

Controls & Instrumentation

DCS & PLC systems

HMI & control networks

OT cybersecurity knowledge

Project leadership

Education

Engineering degree (3rd level)

Tools

DCS

PLC

OT environment

Control interfaces

Job description

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Control and Instrumentation Engineer, Distributed Generation

Vacancy Number: 28731

Category: Engineering - Other

Job Type: Full-time

Position Description

Distributed Generation is a department within Renewable Operations (ESB Generation and Trading) with responsibility for the management of the Operation and Maintenance of ESB's distributed generation assets consisting of Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS 311MW), a Synchronous Condenser, Flexible Gas-Fired Generation plant (190MW) and Solar sites.

As part of delivery of ESB's Net Zero Strategy, it is our ambition that we will generate 70% of our electricity generation from renewable assets by 2030 with 1.7GW of offshore wind, 3.5GW of onshore wind and 900MW of solar and also further develop and operate renewables enabling flexible generation assets including battery energy storage systems, peaking plants and grid support devices.

Due to the significant expansion of the ESB Generation and Trading renewables portfolio, ESB is seeking to appoint a Distributed Generation Controls and Instrumentation Engineer

The role of the Distributed Generation Controls and Instrumentation Engineer is to support the Engineering and Asset Management function within the Renewable Operations Distributed Generation team, with specific focus on the grid scale Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) projects, solar farms, open cycle gas turbine technology and grid support technologies such as synchronous condensers. Other technologies may also feature at a future date within this O&M department.

Key Responsibilities

Responsibilities will include but not be limited to the items below:

• Provide Controls and Instrumentation support in the area of battery energy storage (BESS), solar, synchronous condensers and gas turbine technology and their related auxiliaries. Other technologies may be incorporated in future.
• Supervise as required on-site activities of contractors and subcontractors for Controls and Instrumentation scope and play a leading role in Commissioning (e.g., loop checks, function checks, protection tests, etc).
• Lead and execute the delivery of Controls and Instrumentation site work scopes on overhauls and new assets to ESB and regulatory requirements in liaison with other internal specialists and teams, and contractors, ensuring compliance with relevant statutory and technical requirements in relation to control & process engineering.
• Driving Controls and Instrumentation Engineering excellence by alignment of internal standards, specifications and working practices with ESB business needs, industry and relevant norms, standards, guidelines, competency models and codes of practice.
• Developing and maintaining technical and commercial knowledge of Controls and Instrumentation systems and technologies of generating station assets, including OT Cybersecurity Lifecycle and Risk Management.
• Leading the scoping and definition of Controls and Instrumentation technical requirements for the specification of Controls and Instrumentation systems and associated internal or third-party interfaces employed in greenfield or brownfield generation assets.
• Promoting and leading the safety management culture across all activities by taking ownership and demonstrating visible commitment to safety in all works/project stages and ensure compliance with organisational quality procedures.
• Assessing technical risk and promote best practice in relation to operational fleet of Controls and Instrumentation generating station equipment, plant process control issues on distributed generation assets.
• Participate in review of concepts, protocols and project documentation submitted to ESB and lead input to requirements for FAT, SAT, and Commissioning

Experience and Qualifications

• 7 years’ relevant working experience and shall hold a Controls and Instrumentation role in the generation sector or a comparable industry.
• The candidate should hold a 3rd level qualification in Engineering or equivalent with considerable experience in Controls and Instrumentation technologies
• Possess significant competence of generating plant Controls and Instrumentation systems and applications including DCS and PLC systems, OT environment, HMI and control networks, field instrumentation and control devices, plant protection, safety systems and devices.
• Demonstrated ability of having led, managed, and delivered large and/or complex Controls and Instrumentation works/projects and teams.
• Significant experience of power plant operations and maintenance technologies, systems, procedures, and practices.
• Knowledge of IT infrastructure as relevant to Industrial Control Systems and the interfaces with other plant systems, third party systems or corporate networks.
• Strong time management, work prioritisation, communication and report writing skills.
• Full clean driving license and flexibility to travel nationally and internationally.
• Understanding of the commercial side of the Power Generation industry

Location

This position will be based in Fitzwilliam 27, Dublin and nationwide travel to distributed generation sites is a requirement of the role.

Smart Working at ESB is designed to make 'in-person' time together as purposeful as possible while also enabling the effective use of digital tools and hybrid arrangements to preserve our commitment to flexibility. The successful candidate may work flexibly within the jurisdiction where they have been employed, with attendance at the workplace for 'in-person' collaboration at least two days per week. All Smart Working arrangements are subject to regular review based on the operational requirements of the role, the team, and the business.

Reporting To

Engineering Services Manager, Distributed Generation, G&T Renewable Operations.

Why Work with Us?

• Opportunity to lead Ireland's transition tonet zero carbon future
• Career developmentthrough mentoring andtraining
• Corporate Social Responsibility Opportunities
• Sports and Social Clubs
• Networking opportunities
• Credit Union
• Access to staff well-being programmes
• Generous parental leave entitlements
• Strong values-based and inclusive culture
• Strong commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion
• Great team environment working to our Core Values: Courageous, Caring, Driven and Trusted

Closing Date

17th September 2026

Interview

Candidates who are shortlisted for interview will complete a Behavioural Interview based on each of the following Behaviours, which underpin how we work at ESB and are critical to delivering our strategy:

Your application will be held in reserve for 6 months should you be suitable for the role.

The successful candidate will be required to evidence their right to work in the Republic of Ireland prior to commencement of employment.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Statement

ESB is committed to being an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applications from all sections of society and ensure that no one is discriminated against on the grounds of race, religion or belief, ethnicity or nationality, disability, age, citizenship, marital status, domestic or civil partnership status, sexual orientation or gender identity, or any other basis as protected by law.

Applicants who anticipate requiring assistance or reasonable accommodations for any part of the application or interview process may contact, in confidence, [e-mail].

About ESB

Join us in our mission to achieve a net-zero electricity system by 2040. ESB is Ireland's leading energy utility, with activities spanning electricity generation, transmission and distribution, energy supply, energy services and international consultancy. Operating in Ireland, Northern Ireland and Great Britain, we invest over €1 billion each year to deliver a new energy future based on reliable, affordable zero-carbon electricity.