Controls Engineer (Power Generation) – Memphis

SpaceXAI; Memphis (TN); On-site; USD 90,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

SpaceXAI in Memphis is seeking a Controls Engineer to own BOP PLC/HMI and the plant SCADA picture for Solar, 6000, and BOP on a single set of screens. You will design, program, test, and commission control systems from philosophy through turnover, working hands-on in the control room and at the panel.

The role involves integrating OEM controllers, industrial networks, and cybersecurity considerations, with travel to other sites.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, controls engineering, computer engineering, or similar.
• 3 years of PLC, HMI, and/or SCADA engineering on industrial or power generation systems.

Responsibilities

• Own BOP PLC and HMI design, programming, and commissioning for power generation systems.
• Design and maintain plant SCADA architecture for a single operating picture in the control room.
• Develop control philosophy, I/O lists, and network drawings for reuse across the facility.
• Specify hardware and data exchange with OEM turbine controllers and electrical systems.
• Program, test, and troubleshoot PLC logic and HMI applications.
• Integrate OEM packages and third-party systems into plant SCADA using Modbus, DNP3, OPC UA, IEC 61850.
• Commission controls, perform checks, and support start-up with field teams.
• Troubleshoot operations, sequence issues, and control changes under MOPs/MOC.
• Maintain configuration management for PLC/HMI/SCADA files and firmware.
• Coordinate with electrical, mechanical, and operations for integrated controls scope.
• Apply standards for industrial control systems and site cybersecurity practices.

Skills

PLC/SCADA design

HMI programming

Control-room ops

Industrial networking

IEC 61131

Education

Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering

Tools

Ignition

Allen-Bradley

Siemens

Emerson

GE

Job description

ABOUT THE ROLE:

Join the power generation engineering team to design, commission, and maintain plant control systems. As a Controls Engineer, you will own BOP PLC/HMI and the control-room SCADA picture that brings generation and balance-of-plant into one operating view - Solar, 6000, and BOP on a single set of screens. You will work from control philosophy through commissioning and ongoing reliability, hands-on at the panel and in the control room. The position is based in Memphis, TN, with potential travel to other sites.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Own BOP PLC and HMI design, programming, and commissioning for power generation balance-of-plant systems (fuel gas, water, compressed/instrument air, HVAC, cooling, electrical auxiliaries, and related process/utility systems)

• Design and maintain the plant SCADA architecture so operators have one operating picture in the control room integrating Solar, 6000, and BOP - graphics, alarms, historian, and situational awareness on a single platform

• Develop control philosophy, control narratives, I/O lists, network drawings, cause-and-effect diagrams, and HMI/SCADA standards for reuse across the facility

• Specify PLC, HMI, SCADA, remote I/O, industrial networking, and interface hardware; define data exchange with OEM turbine/generation controllers (Solar and 6000) and with electrical protection, metering, and plant systems

• Program, test, and troubleshoot PLC logic and HMI applications (IEC 61131 - ladder, function block, structured text as applicable)

• Integrate OEM packages and third-party systems into plant SCADA using industrial protocols (Modbus, DNP3, OPC UA, IEC 61850, and others as required) so Solar, 6000, and BOP operate as one system

• Commission controls: I/O checkout, loop checks, functional testing, HMI validation, alarm rationalization, and start-up support; stay hands-on with technicians and operators

• Support day-to-day operations: troubleshooting, sequence issues, bad actors, and control changes under MOPs/MOC

• Maintain configuration management for PLC/HMI/SCADA programs, as-left files, firmware, and network documentation

• Coordinate with electrical, mechanical, fluids, protection, and operations so controls scope is fully integrated through construction, commissioning, and turnover

• Apply relevant standards for industrial control systems and electrical work (NFPA 70 / 70E, IEC 61131, and site cybersecurity/ICS practices such as NERC CIP where applicable)

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, controls engineering, computer engineering, or another engineering discipline

• 3 years of experience in PLC, HMI, and/or SCADA engineering (design, programming, or commissioning) on industrial or power generation systems

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

• 5 years in a controls role at a power plant, independent power producer, OEM, EPC, or heavy industrial facility

• Hands-on BOP PLC/HMI experience on gas turbine or similar generation projects

• Experience building a unified control-room SCADA/HMI that aggregates multiple OEM controllers (e.g. Solar, 6000, or equivalent turbine packages) with plant BOP

• Familiarity with major platforms (e.g. Ignition, Allen-Bradley/Rockwell, Siemens, Emerson, GE, SEL) and industrial networking (IT/OT)

• Experience with IEC 61131 programming and protocols such as Modbus, DNP3, OPC UA, and IEC 61850

• Experience across the project lifecycle: design, programming, construction support, commissioning, and operations

• Experience with alarm management, historian, and control-room graphics that operators actually use

• Working knowledge of how BOP controls interface with electrical power systems (switchgear, protection, metering) without owning relay settings

• Experience managing OEM and contractor interfaces on multi-disciplinary power or capital projects

• Professional Engineering license, or actively working toward one

• Ability to support technicians in the field and to remain effective during outages, start-up, and event investigations

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Willingness to perform hands-on work in the plant and control room, including during outages and commissioning

• Ability to work extended hours and weekends as needed to support power generation operations

• Must be able to work on-site in Memphis, TN, with potential travel to other SpaceX facilities