Control and Instrumentation Engineer, Distributed Generation

ESB; Dublin; On-site; EUR 72,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous Pension

Staff well-being programmes

Parental leave entitlements

Diversity and inclusion culture

Job summary

ESB is seeking a skilled Distributed Generation Controls and Instrumentation Engineer based in Dublin to support CI for BESS, solar and gas turbine assets within Renewable Operations. You will lead commissioning activities, supervise on-site contractor work, and ensure CI systems align with ESB and regulatory standards.

The role requires strong CI engineering knowledge, experience in DCS/PLC, OT networks, and cybersecurity lifecycle management, with flexibility to travel nationally and

Qualifications

• 7 years' relevant working experience in Controls and Instrumentation within generation or similar industry.
• A 3rd level qualification in Engineering or equivalent with substantial experience in Controls and Instrumentation technologies.
• Experience leading and delivering large and complex CI projects and teams.
• Knowledge of plant controls, protection systems and industrial networks.

Responsibilities

• Provide Controls and Instrumentation support for BESS, solar, condensers and gas turbine technology.
• Lead on-site supervision of contractors for CI scope and commissioning activities.
• Deliver CI site work scopes on overhauls and new assets, ensuring compliance with ESB standards and regulations.
• Drive CI engineering excellence by aligning with ESB standards and industry norms.
• Maintain knowledge of CI systems and OT cybersecurity lifecycle and risk management.
• Define CI technical requirements for system specifications and interfaces on greenfield or brownfield assets.
• Promote safety culture across all activities and ensure quality procedures are followed.
• Assess technical risk and apply best practices to CI fleet operations and control issues.
• Support review of concepts and project documentation and input FAT/SAT/Commissioning requirements.

Skills

Controls & Instrumentation

DCS & PLC systems

OT environment

HMI & control networks

Project leadership

Communication skills

Education

Engineering degree or equivalent

Tools

SCADA systems

OT cybersecurity basics

Job description

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

Essential

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 licence and flexibility to travel nationally and internationally.

Desirable

• 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 to net zero carbon future
• Career development through mentoring and training
• Corporate Social Responsibility Opportunities
• Sports and Social Clubs
• Networking opportunities
• Credit Union
• Generous Pension
• 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

Salary

€71,976 - €84,677 per annum

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:

• Accountable and Ethical
• Collaborative
• Growing and Adaptive
• Proactive
• Respectful and Supportive

More information available on Our People Promise

Notes

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.