Controls Systems Engineer - Sterling Industrial - Phoenix (Tempe), AZ

Sterling; Phoenix (AZ); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Sterling Industrial LLC is seeking a seasoned Controls Systems Senior Engineer to lead instrumentation and controls for a major hydropower project in Phoenix, AZ. The role focuses on design development, interface management, and commissioning support across underground powerhouse and surface facilities.

The candidate will collaborate with multi-disciplinary teams, ensure compliance with ISA, IEEE, and ASME standards, and drive constructability and safety in design for reliable turnover to Owner

Qualifications

• 15 years of overall experience in electrical or control systems engineering.
• Minimum 5 years of progressive experience in control systems engineering for hydropower or large power projects.

Responsibilities

• Review design for BOP systems and coordinate with the design subcontractor.
• Develop control system criteria, instrument lists, DCS design, and data sheets.
• Coordinate control system designs with Civil/Geotechnical, Mechanical, Electrical, Plant Design and Constructability.
• Interface with OEMs for control system integration into powerhouse systems.
• Provide Construction & Commissioning support including RFIs and field change evaluations.
• Support construction sequencing, installation constraints, and temporary power planning for underground works.
• Participate in testing, energization, and commissioning activities and turnover sequencing.
• Review and approve control system deliverables to meet standards and project specs.
• Lead design reviews, safety in design workshops, and HAZID/HAZOP sessions.

Skills

Controls systems engineering

Hydropower knowledge

Communication skills

CAD

EPC execution

Education

BS in Electrical Engineering

MS in Electrical Engineering

Tools

AutoCAD

MS Word

Excel

Visio

Job description

Nationwide

ID: 1875-356

Full-Time/Regular

Come join the Traylorfamily! Sterling Industrial LLC., is currently looking for a Controls Systems Engineer.

Work Location: Phoenix, AZ

Sterling Industrial, headquartered in Evansville, Indiana, was founded and incorporated in 1982. Our company began and grew from a need for swift, reliable service for utilities in southern Indiana. Meeting the needs of utilities through small emergencies, we found an increasing need to add pipefitters and millwrights to our operation, and from there our company continued to grow.

As a multi-craft union contractor, we provide civil, structural, mechanical, and electrical services for new construction and maintenance/retrofit projects. Our core markets include power generation, metals, pulp/paper, plastics, and chemical markets. We pride ourselves on being a full-service contractor attentive and responsive to the needs of our customers; providing a full range of services and solutions for construction and maintenance projects.

Our Core Values:

Safety.

People.

Innovation.

Ethics.

Communication.

Community.

Project Overview:

We are building high performing teams to deliver a complex EPC heavy civil project and looking for motivated, hands-on, collaborative innovators, doers, and problem solvers. The projects are hydro power generation with scopes including roadway development, significant structures including dams, spillways, tunnel waterways, inlet/outlet structures, hydromechanical equipment, mechanical and electrical systems, and site facilities and buildings. This is your opportunity to be part of history making projects.

Job Summary:

The Control Systems Senior Engineer is responsible for the engineering, coordination, and technical oversight of instrumentation and controls for the powerhouse and balance of plant systems. The role supports EPC execution through design development, interface management, constructability, and construction/commissioning support for a large hydropower facility comprising underground powerhouse, shafts, tunnels, intake/outlet works, and surface facilities, in accordance with customer requirements, applicable codes, and the project’s engineering procedures.

A key part of this role is collaboration with multiple stakeholders. The Control Systems Senior Engineer shall work with the team to establish regular meetings with design consultants and other external stakeholders as required and reporting cycles for managing, coordinating, and assuring the design.

Major Responsibilities:

• Review conceptual, preliminary, and detailed design for BOP systems
• This role will include working with the Design Subcontractor and discharging responsibilities as set out in the Management of Third-Party Engineering procedures.
• Develop and check control systems design criteria, instrument lists, DCS design, logic diagrams, control room layouts, specifications, data sheets, and material requisitions consistent with operational, reliability, and safety requirements.
• Coordinate control system designs with: Civil / Geotechnical, Mechanical, Electrical, Plant Design and Constructability
• Interface with OEMs (turbine generator supplier, auxiliary equipment vendors) for control system integration into powerhouse systems.
• Provide Construction & Commissioning Support during execution including response to RFIs, Field change evaluations etc.
• Support construction sequencing, installation constraints, and temporary power planning for underground works.
• Participate in testing, energization, and commissioning support, including review of test procedures, energization and turnover sequencing
• Support operations readiness and commissioning teams.
• Review and approve control system deliverables to ensure compliance with technical requirements, project specifications and design criteria, applicable ISA codes, IEEE and ASME standards
• Participate in design reviews, constructability reviews, safety in design workshops, and HAZID/HAZOP reviews, with focus on underground powerhouse risks.
• Coordinate and manage the review of Control System deliverables produced by design consultant, including schedules, reports, critical issues, risks and providing feedback to Engineering Manager.
• Chair discipline-specific meetings, recording actions.
• Represent the client in technical meetings and Value Engineering analysis.
• Provide guidance and ensure quality of design by independent engineering firms carrying out detailed design, including compliance with customer requirements, local design guidelines and codes, international codes and standards.
• Actively support constructability and execution in underground environments, and contribute directly to safe, reliable commissioning and turnover of the project.
• Apply safety in design principles appropriate for underground pumped storage facilities (fire, egress, electrical separation).

Education and Experience Requirements:

• University/College graduate with BS (or Master’s degree) in Electrical or Control Systems Engineering or equivalent from a recognized Institute with an overall experience of 15 years.
• Minimum 5 years of progressive experience in control systems engineering for hydropower, pumped storage, or large power/infrastructure projects and demonstrated experience supporting powerhouse or BOP systems on at least one medium to large scale hydropower / pumped storage project.

Required Knowledge and Skills:

• Professional/Chartered Engineer preferred.
• Knowledge of current computer applications for control systems engineering and design including appropriate knowledge of CAD e.g., AutoCAD, MS Word, Excel, & Visio for managing design reviews.
• Broad knowledge of US government compliance standards.
• Strong knowledge of controls and instrumentation for pumped storage / hydropower auxiliary and BOP systems.
• Able to communicate technical information in writing and orally; to interrelate effectively with individuals and teams and have presentation skills.
• Able to work within a multi-disciplinary, multi-cultural team and manage challenging multi-cultural relationships across a range of entities.
• Self-driven and able to plan and execute work without direct supervision from senior management and/or peers.
• Flexible and able to adapt to working in a demanding environment, including traveling and working remotely if / when required.
• Familiarity with EPC execution, engineering workflows, and document control systems.
• Experience supporting commissioning and handover to Owner operations.

Physical Demands

Travel will be required to attend trainings, meetings and could be project / sitebased for extended periods of time.

Ability to sit or stand for entire shift

Occasionally required to stoop, bend, walk, crouch, and climb

Ability to safely and successfully perform the essential job functions consistent with the ADA, FMLA, and other federals, state, and local standards, including meeting qualitative and/or quantitative productivity standards.

Ability to maintain regular, punctual attendance

Must be able to lift and carry up to 10 lbs.

EEO Statement

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.