Principal Engineer - Control Systems

Bechtel Corporation; Reston (VA); Hybrid; USD 100,000 - 130,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental, and vision coverage

Retirement plans

Paid time off

Job summary

A leading engineering firm is seeking a Principal Engineer – Control Systems in Reston, Virginia, to support combined cycle power projects. You will be responsible for the design and oversight of control systems, ensuring that engineering meets project requirements, manages scope, and complies with budget. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in control systems design for power plants and a degree in Engineering. The role includes part-time telework, requiring three days of in-person attendance per week.

Qualifications

• 13-15 years of relevant experience in control systems design.
• 10 years of experience with combined cycle fossil power plants.

Responsibilities

• Lead design and development of control-system components.
• Prepare estimates and work plans in accordance with project scope.
• Communicate technical issues to upper management.

Skills

Control systems design

Instrumentation selection

SCADA and DCS programming

Logic diagrams

Piping and Instrumentation Diagrams

Education

Bachelor's or master's degree in Electrical or Control Systems Engineering

Job description

Project Overview

Several combined cycle power projects are currently planned to be developed and executed by Bechtel over the next 5‑10 years. During the development phase of these projects, teams will be organized to support multiple projects concurrently. Following project award, dedicated project teams will be formed and the Principal Engineer Electrical will have functional oversight for the combined cycle power projects.

Job Summary

The Principal Engineer – Control Systems will support the development and execution of combined cycle power projects in the Control Systems discipline. In this role, you will utilize individual technical knowledge to interpret, organize, execute, and coordinate the engineering technical aspects for complex power projects. You will participate in project planning, proposal review, and will own the engineering elements of capital estimates. Your technical guidance and recommendations will ensure engineering aspects meet project requirements and remain within scope and budget. In this role, you will be responsible for establishing the technical investigations and client interviews to determine work scope and cost estimates for a project’s control systems aspects. You will have oversight of design, development, modification, evaluation, and constructability reviews of control systems instrumentation and equipment. Your technical expertise will ensure the unique and complex requirements of a combined cycle power project’s control systems design aspects are met.

"This position is designated as part‑time telework per our global telework policy and will require at least three days of in‑person attendance per week at the assigned office or project. Weekly in‑person schedules will be determined by the individual and their supervisor, in consultation with functional or project leadership."

Major Responsibilities

• Lead the design, development, modification and evaluation of control‑system components and processes utilizing relevant Engineering Department Procedures (EDPs), design standards and guides, and Bechtel Standard Application Programs (BSAPs).
• Communicate complex technical issues and recommend solutions to upper management.
• Develop conceptual designs for Control Systems engineering projects or projects having specialized or unique requirements.
• Support preparation of estimates, staffing needs, and schedules.
• Interview client personnel to determine their needs, develop scope for cost estimates for services, and participate in proposal preparation and presentation.
• Prepare or oversee the preparation of discipline estimates and work plans in accordance with project scope, schedule, and budget, and support implementation and assist with performance reporting.
• Coordinate with client representatives, as directed, to obtain their approval of control‑systems aspects of the work.

Education and Experience Requirements

• Bachelor’s or master’s degree (or international equivalent) in Electrical or Control Systems Engineering or closely related field and 13–15 years of relevant experience.
• At least 10 years of prior experience working on control‑systems design for combined cycle fossil power plants.

Required Knowledge and Skills

• Ability to develop logic diagrams and control philosophies for equipment and system operation on combined cycle power plants.
• Ability to optimize selection and sizing of control valves for steam, water and gas services.
• Ability to select and specify instrumentation for measurement of process parameters including temperature, pressure, and flow for steam, water and gas services.
• Experience with layout and design of control rooms and control room HMI equipment.
• Working knowledge of control‑system design codes and standards including ISA, IEEE, and ASME.
• Ability to work with and read Piping and Instrumentation Diagrams.
• Experience with SCADA and DCS programming for power plant control systems.
• Willingness and ability to take business trips to India.

Total Rewards/Benefits

Bechtel offers robust benefits designed to support career growth, well‑being, and work‑life balance. Benefits include comprehensive health, dental, and vision coverage; retirement plans; paid time off; flexible spending accounts; and career‑development programs. Additional details are available on Bechtel Total Rewards.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Bechtel is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, age, national origin, disability, citizenship status (except as authorized by law), protected veteran status, genetic information, and any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. Applicants with a disability, who require a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process, may e‑mail their request to [e-mail].