Automation Engineering Manager Jobs in Waco, TX (NOW HIRING)

The APEX Power Co. Project in Hubbard, TX, is a new multi-technology generating facility currently under Phase 1 construction with planned expansion to 1.6 GW. The plant will feature a diverse fleet of Siemens, MAN/Everllence, GE, and Pratt & Whitney generation technologies, along with a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS), providing a unique opportunity to support commissioning and long-term operation of a flexible, reliable power generation facility. Future expansion may include additional GE aero and large frame units in simple or combined cycle configurations to meet growing energy demand and support data center grid reliability.

Opportunity Summary

The Controls Engineer provides technical leadership for the plant's control, instrumentation, and automation systems throughout commissioning and commercial operations. This role designs, configures, troubleshoots, maintains, and optimizes DCS, SCADA, EMS, PLC, and turbine control systems; manages control system projects and modifications; and supports major plant control platforms. Working closely with the IC&E Supervisor, Operations, Maintenance, OEMs, and contractors, the Controls Engineer develops automation solutions that improve system reliability, plant performance, and long-term asset integrity.

As Controls Engineer, your responsibilities specific to the Pre-Commissioning Phase include:

• Lead control system readiness, installation, configuration, and commissioning of DCS, SCADA, EMS, PLC, turbine control, communications, and automation systems to ensure safe startup and compliance with design requirements.
• Direct calibration, loop checks, and functional testing of instrumentation, transmitters, analyzers, control valves, DCS/PLC logic, HMIs, alarms, interlocks, permissives, sequencing, and historian point mapping after startup.
• Coordinate integration and testing of plant control systems with turbine controls, BESS, electrical systems, and balance-of-plant equipment.
• Support FAT, SAT, system turnover, and startup while troubleshooting and resolving control system, instrumentation, and automation issues using Root Cause Analysis (RCA).
• Ensure control system documentation, software backups, network architecture, alarm databases, control drawings, and CMMS/EAM data are complete for operational turnover.

Your scope of responsibility as Controls Engineer includes the following primary functions:

• Provide technical leadership for the design, configuration, troubleshooting, maintenance, and optimization of the plant's DCS, SCADA, EMS, PLC, turbine control, instrumentation, and automation systems to maximize reliability, availability, and operational performance.
• Monitor control system performance, alarms, process data, and operational trends; facilitate Alarm Management reviews with Operations and other appropriate plant personnel; and implement automation solutions that improve plant performance and reliability.
• Monitor control system performance, alarms, process data, and operational trends to implement automation solutions that improve plant performance and reliability.
• Lead Root Cause Analysis (RCA) investigations of control system failures, instrumentation issues, automation problems, and significant operating events, implementing effective corrective actions.
• Provide technical support for Honeywell, GE Mark VI, ABB, Allen-Bradley, and other plant control platforms, coordinating with OEMs, contractors, and system integrators as needed.
• Support planned outages, commissioning, and major maintenance by developing control system work scopes, testing procedures, and startup plans.
• Develop and maintain control system standards, software backups, technical documentation, network architecture, control narratives, logic diagrams, and as-built drawings to ensure accurate plant configuration.
• Partner with Operations, Maintenance, the IC&E Supervisor, and corporate engineering to optimize control strategies, improve system reliability, and support long-term asset performance.
• Ensure control system activities comply with safety, environmental, cybersecurity, regulatory, and company requirements while promoting operational excellence and continuous improvement.

Perform other duties as assigned to support safe, reliable, and compliant plant operations.

NAES Safe

Safety is a core value at NAES, and as a condition of employment, all employees are expected to remain mentally alert and work safely at all times. Employees must also adhere to all safety warnings and posted signs while on company property. Additionally, they are required to follow all NAES safety rules and procedures. Adherence to these safety responsibilities is one of the key factors in the evaluation of each employee’s performance.

Working Relationships

The Controls Engineer reports to the Plant Engineering & Reliability Manager and collaborates closely with plant management, Environmental, Safety, and Administrative Managers, as well as NAES Corporate Engineering Support Services. The role also provides technical guidance and support to Operations and Maintenance personnel to promote safe, reliable, and compliant plant operations.

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions

Physical requirements include standing for extended periods of time, climbing stairs and ladders, working from elevated platforms and walkways at varying heights, and routinely lifting up to 50 pounds.

Power plant environment that may involve entering confined spaces, crawling through narrow areas, and handling hazardous materials, with exposure to fumes, extreme temperatures, and noise. Work may include high heat near equipment and varying outdoor weather conditions.

Some duties may require the use of protective equipment, which can include hard hats, safety glasses, and eye protection, air masks/respirators, ear protection, chemical suits, flame-resistant clothing (FRC), hot gloves, high-voltage protective gear, and fall protection. Fit testing for respirators may be required. Strict smoking restrictions apply in and around the facility.

Fitness for Duty

All personnel will participate in the Fitness for Duty Program, which includes a post-offer physical examination, drug screening, and post-employment random drug screening.

Work Schedule

The Controls Engineer typically works a Monday through Friday day shift during regular business hours. Extended hours, flexible schedules, weekends, holidays, and periodic on-call duty may be required based on plant conditions, outages, commissioning activities, workload, and operational needs.

Some travel may be involved to participate in Manager, Owner, User Group, or other offsite meetings.

Compensation

This position offers an annual base salary ranging from $126,250 to $160,700 and includes eligibility for an annual performance bonus.

Required Qualifications & Technical Expertise

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical, Controls, Computer Engineering, or a related field is required. Equivalent power generation, industrial automation, controls, or military experience may be considered in lieu of formal education.
• Extensive experience supporting control, instrumentation, and automation systems in power generation or heavy industrial facilities, including DCS, SCADA, EMS, PLC, and turbine control systems.
• Proficiency with Honeywell, GE Mark VI, ABB, Allen-Bradley, or comparable DCS/PLC platforms, including configuration, programming, troubleshooting, and optimization.
• Practical knowledge of gas turbines, reciprocating engines, Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS), and balance-of-plant equipment; commissioning and startup experience preferred.
• Proven success managing control system projects, software upgrades, system modifications, and automation initiatives using Management of Change (MOC) processes.
• Demonstrated ability to troubleshoot and optimize instrumentation, control systems, process automation, alarms, interlocks, sequencing, and historian interfaces.
• Working knowledge of instrumentation and electrical systems, including transmitters, analyzers, control valves, protection systems, calibration, loop checks, and functional testing.
• Experience using operational data systems and analytics tools (e.g., OSIsoft PI or similar) to monitor performance, analyze trends, and improve control system reliability.
• Thorough understanding of safety, environmental, cybersecurity, and regulatory requirements, including applicable NERC standards, with a commitment to operational excellence and continuous improvement.
• Must possess a valid, unrestricted U.S. driver’s license and ensure it remains in good standing at all times.

About NAES

NAES Corporation is a leading provider of operations, maintenance, and engineering services for energy facilities. We have built a reputation as a reliable partner for clients in North America and internationally, offering services across the power generation, oil and gas, and renewable energy sectors. Our growing family of companies allows us to address the entire life cycle of power generation and other industrial plants.

NAES is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace. We prioritize selecting employees based on merit and competence, seeking individuals of the highest quality, without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, disability, military status, or affiliation protected under USERRA, or any other form of discrimination prohibited by applicable local, state, and federal law.