Central Utility Controls Engineer

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TRC is partnering with a leading Power & Energy organization focused on advanced central utility and balance-of-plant automation systems. This role supports complex industrial infrastructure projects involving boiler, chiller, water treatment, and distributed energy control systems using modern PLC/DCS/SCADA platforms.

Summary

The Central Utility Controls Engineer will design, develop, test, and commission control systems for central utility applications including boilers, chillers, water polishing systems, and balance-of-plant (BOP) infrastructure. This role is responsible for translating process requirements into functional control strategies, developing PLC/DCS/HMI solutions, and supporting system deployment through FAT/SAT, commissioning, and troubleshooting activities. The position requires strong controls engineering expertise within industrial utility or energy systems environments.

Responsibilities

Develop functional specifications including Sequence of Operations (SOO) and Bills of Materials (BOMs)
Support electrical engineering teams in the development of project drawing packages
Design, program, test, and deploy PLC, DCS, and HMI control systems for central utility applications
Implement automation solutions for boilers, chillers, burner management systems, and balance-of-plant processes
Develop and execute Factory Acceptance Test (FAT) and Site Acceptance Test (SAT) plans
Support commissioning activities including loop checks, startup, and system validation
Troubleshoot control system issues in both development and live operational environments
Provide customer training (formal and informal) on system operation and functionality
Collaborate with cross-functional engineering teams across electrical, mechanical, and process disciplines
Ensure control system designs meet performance, safety, and operational requirements
Support integration of industrial communication protocols and multi-system interfaces
Participate in field deployments and ensure successful system handover to operations teams

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering from an accredited institution
3–6 years of experience in controls engineering or industrial automation
Working knowledge of central utility systems (e.g., boilers, chillers, BMS, 3-element control, CHP, district energy systems, water treatment)
Experience with PLC/DCS/SCADA platforms such as Rockwell Automation, AVEVA, Ignition, or Emerson DeltaV
Familiarity with industrial communication protocols (Modbus, Ethernet/IP, DNP3, OPC, BACnet, Profinet, etc.)
Experience supporting FAT/SAT testing, commissioning, and field startup activities
Strong troubleshooting and systems integration skills
Willingness to travel approximately 25%

TRC Talent Solutions is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE). All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, protected veteran status, disability status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law. At TRC, we take pride in fulfilling our opportunity to add value to our client's business as their staffing partner, while working tirelessly to connect thousands of individuals each year with work opportunities where they can meet the needs of their families and have the potential to build their careers.

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What does success look like in this role, and how is it measured?

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How does the company support work-life balance and employee well-being??

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