Automation Controls Engineer Jobs in Houston, TX

We are ERock!

ERock is a leader and innovator in distributed energy. ERock has responded to long-term trends in electricity by becoming the first smart-grid supplier to US energy consumers. The company installs, operates, and integrates its highly flexible, low-cost, and quick-response distributed generation to increase reliability and stability, reduce costs and decrease carbon footprint.

At ERock, our backup generators ensure that customers will never be without power, allowing their business to operate normally when there is an outage in the area. Our innovative approach provides customers with highly reliable, ultra-clean backup generation at a fraction of the cost of traditional backup solutions. We seek those who share our commitment to customer service, innovation, and ingenuity.

How You'll Make an Impact:

As a Sr. Electrical Engineer within Automation & Controls Management, you will serve as the senior electrical technical authority responsible for the design, analysis, and integration of electrical power systems that support reliable, safe, and efficient power generation operations. You will own electrical design from concept through commissioning and handover, lead design compliance on the most complex and highest-value projects, and provide expert technical mentorship across the engineering organization while partnering with the automation and controls team, cross-functional groups, and site leadership.

Role Overview:

This role demands advanced electrical power system design expertise, strong leadership, and the ability to operate with a high degree of autonomy on complex power systems. It is an electrical engineering role embedded within the Automation & Controls organization; controls and automation exposure is valuable context, but the core of the position is electrical design and power systems. In this role, you will:

• Provide expert-level knowledge in electrical engineering, power systems analysis, protection, and commissioning.

• Lead the development and review of detailed electrical design packages, including one-line diagrams, schematics, panel layouts, cable and conduit schedules, grounding design, and interconnection drawings.

• Perform and review power system studies including load flow, short-circuit, coordination, and arc-flash analysis.

• Specify and source electrical equipment, protection devices, switchgear, and materials with safety and code compliance as top priorities.

• Lead design compliance for complex or higher-value projects within the organization.

• Oversee installation, commissioning, and performance testing of electrical power and protection systems.

• Drive the successful integration of new electrical generation systems with existing technologies and site infrastructure.

• Ensure compliance with all applicable codes and standards, including NEC, IEEE, NFPA 70E, and internal procedures.

• Own protective relay settings, protection philosophy, and coordination; review relay, SEL RTAC, and PLC configuration developed by the controls team to confirm it matches the electrical design intent.

• Lead complex electrical troubleshooting and root-cause analysis in both office and field environments, supporting the controls team where issues cross into automation systems.

• Conduct and lead risk assessments while implementing and enforcing strong safety protocols.

• Identify optimization opportunities and drive enhancements that improve system reliability, efficiency, and sustainability.

• Maintain comprehensive documentation including specifications, calculations, manuals, test records, and maintenance materials.

• Mentor and coach engineers and technicians, serving as a senior technical resource within the organization.

• Communicate complex technical information clearly to both technical and non-technical audiences.

Required Qualifications That Enable Your Success:

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering.

• 5+ years of experience as an Electrical Engineer in an industrial or power generation setting.

• Proven experience owning electrical engineering design through construction, commissioning, and handover.

• Strong knowledge of applicable design standards and electrical codes (NEC, IEEE, NFPA 70E).

• Experience performing power system studies (load flow, short-circuit, protective coordination, arc-flash).

• Experience leading electrical commissioning across multiple cross-functional project teams.

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and AutoCAD; familiarity with power system analysis software (e.g., ETAP, SKM, or EasyPower).

• Working familiarity with automation and controls technologies (PLCs, SCADA, DCS, HMI) sufficient to interface effectively with the controls team.

• Strong analytical, troubleshooting, leadership, and communication skills.

• Ability to work independently with minimal guidance and lead others.

• Able to travel up to 85%

Preferred Qualifications That Drive You Forward

• Extensive experience in electrical generation systems and microgrid or distributed generation applications.

• Knowledge of SEL Relays (SEL-351, SEL-751, SEL-735, SEL-787) and SEL RTAC.

• Working knowledge of Structured Text and Ladder Logic programming.

• Strong understanding of networking and communication protocols such as Modbus TCP/IP, Ethernet/IP, DNP3, and CAN.

• Experience with DeepSea and ComAP generator control platforms.

Do you have what it takes to join the ERock team? Send us your cover letter and resume today.

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

ERock is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.

At ERock, we embrace diversity, including all the unique characteristics that make us human: race, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, disability, and education — to name a few. We understand and recognize that diverse backgrounds and perspectives strengthen our teams and our business. The foundation of our diversity efforts is closely tied to our core values specifically our value of “The Team” which includes “Mutual Respect, Openness, and Honesty.”