Senior Controls Engineer - Bioenergy

Root Edge; United States; Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical vision dental insurance

401k with match

Unlimited vacation & sick leave

Flexible Spending Accounts

Disability insurance

Life and AD&D insurance

Employee Assistance Program

Job summary

Root Edge seeks a Senior Controls Engineer to design, program, and deliver industrial control systems for bioenergy projects. You will guide control scope across multiple projects, mentor engineers, and act as a key technical contact with customers and vendors on automation matters.

The role combines hands-on programming with project ownership, aiming to standards-improve and drive efficient execution while supporting global biogas/RNG initiatives.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical, Chemical, Controls/Automation, Computer Engineering, or related field.
• 7+ years in controls/automation with ownership of projects.
• Strong PLC/HMI programming and SCADA experience.
• Ability to travel internationally on occasion.

Responsibilities

• Lead controls design, programming, and testing for PLC, HMI, and SCADA systems.
• Lead functional design documentation and control narratives with process engineering.
• Own technical execution from concept through commissioning.
• Lead commissioning and customer engagement, coordinating with vendors and subcontractors.
• Mentor junior engineers and advance standards across the team.

Skills

PLC programming

HMI programming

SCADA systems

Industrial networking

Safety systems

Vendor/customer engagement

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical, Chemical, Controls/Automation, or Computer Engineering

Tools

Siemens PLC/HMI

SCADA design

NetSuite/ClickUp/Microsoft Project

Job description

Senior Controls Engineer

A global leader in bioenergy systems is seeking a detail oriented Senior Controls Engineer to support its mission of delivering cutting-edge sustainable energy solutions. Join a team driving a cleaner, greener future while ensuring exceptional service operations for its clients.

Key Details

• Location:Office in the Pacific Northwest, 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 internationally, along with regular early morning overlap with an international team.
• 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 Join?

• Join a company where sustainability is not just a goal, but a fundamental guiding principle embedded in its 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.

About the Company

Sustainability is at the core of everything this company does. It is a global leader in providing cutting-edge, environmentally friendly energy solutions that empower businesses and communities to embrace a cleaner, greener future. Its mission is to drive the transition to a low-carbon, circular economy by harnessing the power of renewable resources. The company specializes in developing, designing, and constructing state-of-the-art bioenergy systems that convert organic waste and biomass into valuable resources, including biogas, green heat, and sustainable electricity.

Who You Are

You’re an experienced controls engineer who moves fluidly between deep technical work and people leadership - equally comfortable debugging a PLC program and walking a client through automation strategy. You bring structure to complex, multi-system projects: managing scope, risk, and schedule without losing sight of the programming details underneath them. You communicate clearly and confidently with clients, vendors, and internal teams, and you don’t wait to be asked before improving a standard or mentoring a colleague. Grounded in a strong understanding of industrial control systems and project execution, you bring sound judgment and follow-through to everything you own.

What You’ll Do

As Senior Controls Engineer, you’ll take a leading technical role in the design, programming, and delivery of control and automation systems for the company’s biogas and RNG projects, from concept through startup and commissioning. This role combines deep hands on programming expertise with project-level ownership: you’ll guide controls scope across multiple projects, mentor other engineers, and serve as the key technical point of contact for customers and vendors on automation matters, while helping shape the standards the whole controls team builds on.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Lead controls design and programming:Lead the design, programming, and testing of PLC, HMI, and SCADA systems for biogas/RNG projects, including control logic, alarming strategy, operator interfaces, and industrial networking architecture, along with data historian and reporting systems.
• Lead functional design documentation:Lead development of functional descriptions, control narratives, and cause-and-effect matrices with process engineering, and oversee I/O, alarm, and interlock lists across assigned projects.
• Own technical execution:Take technical ownership of the controls scope from concept through commissioning, serve as the escalation point for complex programming and integration issues, and lead collaboration with a 3rd-party controls architect on architecture updates.
• Lead commissioning and customer engagement:Provide advanced technical direction to commissioning teams, serve as a key technical resource during customer meetings and proposal efforts, and coordinate with automation equipment vendors and subcontractors.
• Advance standards and mentor the team:Develop and maintain standard controls programming practices, lead efficiency and knowledge-capture initiatives, and mentor and onboard junior and mid-level controls engineers.

Required

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Controls/Automation Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related technical discipline, or equivalent project-focused work experience.
• 7+ years of experience in controls, automation, or systems integration, with a strong foundation in designing, programming, and implementing industrial control systems, and demonstrated ownership of projects from concept through commissioning.
• In-depth knowledge of PLC and HMI programming (Siemens preferred), SCADA system design and configuration, industrial networking architecture and protocols (Ethernet/IP, Modbus, Profinet, or similar), and machine safety standards and safety system programming.
• Strong problem-solving and communication skills, with confidence working directly with customers to explain technical concepts and build lasting relationships.
• 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

• 10+ years of controls/automation experience, including significant experience within biogas/RNG or another process industry.
• Experience mentoring early career engineers.
• Experience with advanced process troubleshooting/root-cause analysis, SCADA historian and reporting tool design, and control panel design review.
• Familiarity with anaerobic digestion, biogas conditioning/upgrading, and gas handling systems, and proficiency with tools such as NetSuite, ClickUp, and Microsoft Project.
• Professional Engineering License (PE) or relevant industry certification.