Controls Engineer

HoSt Bio-energy Systems; Washington (District of Columbia); Hybrid; USD 100,000 - 115,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Vision and Dental

401k with Match

Unlimited Paid Vacation & Sick Leave

Flexible Spending Accounts

Disability Insurance

Life and AD&D Insurance

Employee Assistance Program

Job summary

HoSt Bio-Energy Systems is seeking a detail-oriented Controls Engineer to support our mission of delivering cutting‑edge sustainable energy solutions. Join us in driving a cleaner, greener future while ensuring exceptional service operations for our clients.

As Controls Engineer, you will own the controls scope for biogas and RNG projects—from PLC/HMI programming to startup and commissioning. You will collaborate with mechanical, electrical, and process teams to deliver reliable systems and grow

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant engineering discipline or equivalent experience.
• 3+ years in controls, automation, or industrial systems integration.
• Hands-on PLC/HMI programming and on-site commissioning experience.
• Knowledge of Ethernet/IP, Modbus, Profinet, and wiring diagrams.
• Willingness to travel internationally and have a valid passport.
• Valid driver's license and ability to pass background check.

Responsibilities

• Design, program, and test PLC and HMI applications for biogas/RNG processes.
• Create functional descriptions, control narratives, and I/O lists.
• Configure networks and protocols between PLCs, HMIs, SCADA, and equipment.
• Lead FAT/SAT, on-site startup, and provide remote commissioning support.
• Collaborate across disciplines and vendors to resolve controls issues.
• Maintain as-built documentation and improve controls standards.

Skills

PLC programming

HMI development

Industrial networking

On-site commissioning

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering or equivalent

Tools

Siemens PLC

SCADA software

Job description

Control Engineer

HoSt Bio-Energy Systems is seeking a detail-oriented Controls Engineer to support our mission of delivering cutting‑edge sustainable energy solutions. Join us in driving a cleaner, greener future while ensuring exceptional service operations for our clients.

Key Details

Salary: $100,000 – $115,000

Location: Our office is located in downtown Vancouver, WA, with flexibility to work in‑office, hybrid, or remotely depending on location and business needs.

Travel: Up to 30% per year to project sites across the U.S. and, on occasion, internationally for testing, startup, and commissioning support.

Benefits:

• Employer‑paid Medical, Vision and Dental
• 401k Program with 4% Match
• Unlimited Paid Vacation & Sick Leave
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Short‑term and Long‑term Disability Insurance
• Life and AD&D Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program

Why HoSt?

Join a company where sustainability is not just a goal, but a fundamental guiding principle embedded in our mission and operations.

Play a role in closing the loop on waste, minimizing emissions, and transforming waste products into valuable resources, which is good for business and the planet.

Enjoy ample personal and professional development opportunities in a dynamic and expanding global market.

Work with experienced professionals dedicated to making a difference in sustainable energy.

Who We Are

At HoSt Bio‑Energy Systems, our commitment to sustainability is at the core of everything we do. We are a global leader in providing cutting‑edge, environmentally friendly energy solutions that empower businesses and communities to embrace a cleaner, greener future. Our mission is to drive the transition to a low‑carbon, circular economy by harnessing the power of renewable resources. We specialize in developing, designing, and constructing state‑of‑the‑art Bio‑Energy systems that convert organic waste and biomass into valuable resources, including biogas, green heat, and sustainable electricity.

Who You Are

You're a controls engineer who's comfortable owning a project's automation scope from programming through startup — equally at home writing PLC logic and walking a client's operator through a new HMI screen. You bring structure to testing and commissioning without losing sight of the practical realities of a live process. You communicate clearly with vendors, field teams, and internal engineering counterparts, and you look for ways to improve standards and documentation as you go. Grounded in solid automation fundamentals, you bring good judgment and follow‑through to everything you own.

Required

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Controls/Automation Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related technical discipline, or equivalent practical experience.
• 3+ years of experience in controls, automation, or industrial systems integration, including hands‑on PLC/HMI programming and on‑site commissioning.
• Working knowledge of PLC programming (Siemens preferred), HMI/SCADA development, industrial networking protocols (Ethernet/IP, Modbus, Profinet, or similar), control panel I/O and wiring diagrams, and machine safety fundamentals.
• Strong Microsoft Office skills, and comfortable traveling to project sites for testing, startup, and commissioning support.
• Valid passport, with ability to travel internationally on occasion.
• Must possess and maintain a valid driver’s license in the state of residence; position is subject to annual DMV record screening in accordance with insurance and client requirements.
• Ability to pass a background check.

Preferred

• 5+ years of controls/automation experience, including experience within biogas/RNG or another process industry (water/wastewater, pulp & paper, oil & gas, food & beverage, etc.).
• Experience with process troubleshooting and SCADA historian/reporting tools.
• Familiarity with process equipment and systems such as anaerobic digestion, biogas conditioning/upgrading, or gas handling systems.

What You’ll Do

As Controls Engineer, you'll own the controls scope of assigned biogas and RNG projects — from PLC/HMI programming and testing through on‑site startup and commissioning. You'll work closely with mechanical, electrical, process, and project engineering counterparts to deliver integrated, reliable systems, with real independence to solve practical automation challenges and room to grow into greater project ownership.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Design and program control systems: Design, program, and test PLC and HMI applications for biogas/RNG process control, including logic development, alarming, and operator interface design, along with data historian services for process monitoring and reporting.
• Co‑develop functional descriptions and control narratives: Work with process engineering to develop functional descriptions, control narratives, and cause‑and‑effect matrices, and develop and maintain I/O, alarm, and interlock lists.
• Configure industrial networks: Configure and troubleshoot industrial networks and communication protocols (e.g., Ethernet/IP, Modbus, Profinet) between PLCs, HMIs, SCADA, and third‑party equipment, and collaborate with our 3rd‑party controls architect on periodic architecture updates.
• Lead testing and commissioning: Lead factory acceptance testing (FAT) and site acceptance testing (SAT), perform on‑site startup and commissioning, and provide remote support to field teams during commissioning.
• Coordinate across disciplines and vendors: Work with mechanical, electrical, process, and project engineering, and with equipment vendors and subcontractors, to resolve controls‑related issues.
• Maintain standards and documentation: Keep as‑built program documentation current and help improve controls programming standards, templates, and testing procedures.

HoSt is an Equal Opportunity Employer; we celebrate diversity in the workplace and strive to maintain an inclusive work environment for all employees.