Staff Instrumentation & Controls Engineer

FuelCell Energy; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 135,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

FuelCell Energy in Texas seeks a Staff Instrumentation & Controls Engineer to lead instrumentation selection, control-system architectures, and PLC/HMI software development for fuel cell power, carbon capture, hydrogen production, and energy storage projects.

The role demands hands-on leadership, independence, and cross-functional collaboration with Electrical, Mechanical, Systems, Field Service, and Operations teams to deliver safe, reliable plant controls and continuous improvement.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical or Chemical Engineering.
• Minimum 10 years of instrumentation and controls engineering experience.
• Independent technical contributor or technical lead experience.
• Hands-on PLC and HMI programming experience.

Responsibilities

• Lead instrumentation, valves, and field devices selection and application.
• Define and maintain control system architectures and I/O definitions.
• Develop and support PLC and HMI software from design to commissioning.
• Review instrumentation and controls design docs (P&IDs, loop diagrams, datasheets).
• Lead testing, commissioning, startup, and fault-troubleshooting activities.
• Interface with Electrical, Mechanical, Systems Engineering, Field Service, and Operations.

Skills

Instrumentation

Valves

PLC programming

HMI programming

P&IDs

SIS concepts

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering

Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering

Tools

PLC platforms

HMI software

Job description

Staff Instrumentation & Controls Engineer

Location: TX, US

Date: Aug 3, 2026

FuelCell Energy is a global leader in decarbonizing power and producing hydrogen through our proprietary fuel cell technology. Our mission is to enable a world powered by clean energy. As an innovator and manufacturer of fuel cell clean power platforms, FuelCell Energy has the only technology in the world capable of capturing carbon from an external source and producing power at the same time. In addition, we offer the only technology in the world capable of producing hydrogen, power and water simultaneously.

The pay for this position ranges from $135000 - $160000.

We are seeking a Staff Instrumentation & Controls Engineer to join the multi-disciplinary engineering team responsible for designing and delivering fuel cell-based systems for power generation, carbon capture, hydrogen production, and energy storage applications.

This role is a staff-level, hands‑on technical leadership position with a primary emphasis on instrumentation, valves, and field devices, balanced with strong responsibility for PLC and HMI software development. The position is expected to operate with a high degree of autonomy and technical judgment, supporting multiple projects across design, construction, testing, commissioning, and operational support while influencing standards, design quality, technical risk resolution, and cross-functional execution.

Essential Functions/Duties and Responsibilities

• Serve as the technical lead for the selection, specification, and application of instrumentation, valves, and field devices, including transmitters, analyzers, control valves, actuators, and safety devices, ensuring reliable operation across process conditions, lifecycle requirements, safety expectations, and project constraints.
• Define, improve, and maintain control system architectures, including control narratives, I/O definitions, instrument integration, control philosophy, reusable standards, and alignment with PLC-based control platforms.
• Lead the design, development, review, and support of PLC and HMI software, including Ladder Logic, Structured Text, function blocks, and operator interfaces, from initial design through commissioning, fleet support, and continuous improvement.
• Own or provide senior-level review of instrumentation and controls design documentation, including P&IDs, loop diagrams, instrument datasheets, logic diagrams, control philosophies, design standards, and test procedures.
• Lead or support system testing, I/O checkout, loop checks, commissioning, startup, and validation activities, ensuring lessons learned are translated into improved designs, standards, and troubleshooting practices.
• Act as a senior technical interface with Electrical, Mechanical, Systems Engineering, Field Service, Operations, Procurement, and external suppliers to ensure cohesive system integration, drawing accuracy, constructability, and practical field execution.
• Provide advanced technical leadership for field issue resolution and root cause analysis related to instrumentation, valves, and control systems across deployed assets, including prioritization of corrective actions and communication of technical risks to project and engineering leadership.
• Lead or significantly influence the design and implementation of Safety Instrumented System (SIS) functions, including safety requirements specification (SRS) inputs, SIL verification support, cause-and-effect logic, instrumented shutdown/alarm design, and validation/testing to align with applicable functional safety standards.
• Lead or actively influence design reviews, HAZOPs, FMEAs, safety assessments, technical readiness reviews, and lessons-learned activities, while mentoring junior and senior engineers by sharing best practices in instrumentation and controls engineering.

Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
• Minimum 10 years of experience in instrumentation and controls engineering within industrial, power generation, process, energy systems, or other complex engineered systems environments.
• Demonstrated staff-level experience serving as an independent technical contributor or technical lead for instrumentation and valve selection, specification, application, design review, and field issue resolution.
• Strong, hands‑on experience with PLC and HMI programming for industrial control systems, including the ability to review, troubleshoot, standardize, and improve control logic across projects or deployed assets.

Required Skills and Characteristics

• Deep understanding of industrial instrumentation, control valves, actuators, safety devices, and associated installation, commissioning, lifecycle, and maintainability practices.
• Advanced experience with PLC platforms, including hardware configuration, Ladder Logic, Structured Text, user‑defined function blocks, reusable logic standards, troubleshooting, and design review.
• Experience developing, maintaining, reviewing, and improving Human Machine Interfaces (HMIs) for industrial or process‑based control systems.
• Strong working knowledge of industrial communication networks and the ability to troubleshoot integration issues across instruments, controllers, HMIs, and related systems.
• Highly proficient in reading, developing, and reviewing P&IDs, P&FDs, logic diagrams, control narratives, instrument datasheets, and instrument loop diagrams.
• Demonstrated experience leading or independently supporting field commissioning, startup, troubleshooting, root cause analysis, and corrective action activities.
• Familiarity with HAZOP, FMEA, DFSS, functional safety concepts, and electrochemical or process‑based systems is preferred.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office tools.
• Strong oral and written communication skills, with the ability to clearly explain technical tradeoffs, risks, and recommendations to multi‑disciplinary teams, project stakeholders, suppliers, and engineering leadership.
• Ability to operate with substantial independence, make sound technical recommendations with incomplete information, and elevate project or safety risks appropriately.
• Self‑motivated technical leader and team player with a positive, goal‑focused approach to solving complex, time‑sensitive engineering problems.
• Flexible and adaptable to shifting priorities, project demands, field conditions, and cross‑functional technical needs.

Working Environment / Working Conditions

• Work in office, laboratory, fabrication, and field environments.
• Periodic outdoor work in operating power plant environments during commissioning and troubleshooting activities.
• Ability to lift up to 25 lbs and use hand tools and test equipment.
• Willingness and ability to wear required personal protective equipment (PPE).
• Travel up to 10% domestic or international.
• Must have or be able to obtain a passport.

All Employees Shall

• Comply with the EH&S Policy and applicable regulatory and company EH&S rules and requirements.
• Report to supervision conditions or practices that are either unsafe or that may adversely impact the environment, to ensure prompt resolution of potential hazards.
• Attend scheduled EH&S training program.
• Actively support the organization's efforts to meet or exceed EH&S goals and plans.
• Recommend improved EH&S practices.
• Must maintain regular and consistent attendance.

We offer a competitive compensation package as well as comprehensive benefits including medical, dental, vision, company‑paid life/disability insurance, 401(k) plan, employee stock purchase plan, and generous paid leave.

The successful candidate is required to complete a drug screen, criminal background check, and employment and education verification.

This Job Description is to serve as a guide. It is intended to be flexible and will continue to evolve over time with business needs and demands and may be updated periodically and at the Company's discretion. Nothing in this position description changes or is intended to change the employment at‑will relationship with the Company or the terms of any collective bargaining agreement. Employment at‑will means that an employee or the Company may terminate the employment relationship at any time, for any reason or no reason at all, with or without notice.

Equal Opportunity Employer

FuelCell Energy is an equal‑opportunity employer committed to an inclusive and safe work environment for people of all backgrounds.

For more information about FuelCell Energy and our available openings, please visit https://www.fuelcellenergy.com/careers.

We thank all candidates for their interest in a career with FuelCell Energy. However, only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.

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