Controls Engineer Manager Jobs in Riverside, CA (NOW HIRING)

Sulzer is a leading engineering company with a proud heritage of innovation. Join our global team to grow your expertise and develop innovative solutions that enable a prosperous and more sustainable society.

About the role Job Summary
Location: Colton, California
The I&C Project Engineer is responsible for the design and execution of packaged control and power solutions from order kickoff through FAT and turnover. Typical scope includes control system design, MCCs, MV/LV VFDs, RVSSs, PLSs, RTUs, and field instrumentation. This role owns technical coordination, submittals, documentation, schedule/budget tracking for the I&C portion, and factory acceptance testing readiness and execution. The I&C Project Engineer is not responsible for installation, however, is responsible for customer engagement, witnessing FAT testing on location, etc.

Location: Colton, California

Travel Requirements & Working Conditions

• Travel: Up to 25-40% based on project needs (regional and occasional out-of-state).
• Typical travel purposes: Customer/site walks, design coordination meetings, pre-FAT reviews, customer witness FAT, inspections, interface meetings with the GC/EC/customer, troubleshooting, and post-shipment technical support meetings (non-installation).
• Duration: Most trips 1-3 days; occasional trips up to 1 week for major FATs or multi-package projects.
• Schedule flexibility: Ability to travel on short notice at times to support critical project milestones (e.g., customer witness FAT windows).
• Physical demands: Ability to work in shop and industrial environments around large equipment; may require standing/walking for extended periods, and climbing ladders/stairs.
• Site conditions: Exposure to industrial hazards (noise, dust, weather, moving equipment) while adhering to required PPE and site safety rules.

Scope of Supply (Typical)

• Control system design (instrumentation and control architecture, integration, and interfaces)
• MCC lineups and associated controls
• Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs) and controls (as applicable)
• Reduced Voltage Soft Starters (RVSS) and controls (as applicable)
• RTUs / PLC panels (as applicable to contract)
• Field instruments (specified instruments and accessories)
• Switchboards (SWBD) as part of package supply (startup/energization excluded)

Associated drawings, submittals, test documentation, owner trainings, and FAT execution

Core Responsibilities

1) Control System Design (Primary Technical Ownership)

• Develop the overall control system approach based on project requirements, including:

• Control architecture (RTU/PLC/remote I/O concepts where applicable)
• Communications and integration philosophy (protocols, network topology, addressing strategy)
• Power and control interface requirements between MCC/VFD/RVSS/RTU and instrumentation

• Produce and/or review design deliverables as required by the contract and internal standards:

• I/O lists, instrument lists, control narratives/cause & effect (when required)
• Loop diagrams, termination drawings, and interconnects
• Panel drawings (wiring diagrams, layouts, BOMs) and integration details
• Network diagrams and communications mappings (when applicable)

• Ensure designs are buildable, testable (FAT-ready), and aligned with customer standards and project constraints.
• Coordinate design reviews and address comments to closure prior to shop release.

2) Project Execution & Coordination (Delivery Ownership)

• Own the I&C/controls portion of project execution: deliverables, schedule, budget awareness, and quality.
• Review contract documents and customer standards; translate requirements into a deliverables list and execution plan.
• Coordinate across internal engineering, integration teams, procurement, QA, and project stakeholders.
• Manage submittal flow: compile, review, and submit vendor data; track comments; close out resubmittals.
• Provide clear status updates; maintain action-item logs, decision records, and interface registers.
• Manage change control for the I&C scope: document scope clarifications, deviations, and impacts.

3) Technical Deliverables & Compliance

• Verify compliance with applicable codes/standards and customer requirements, including NEC/NFPA 70, and UL 508A practices where applicable.
• Evaluate vendor compliance for supplied equipment and instrumentation; document exceptions and obtain approvals as required.
• Ensure labeling, documentation quality, and traceability meet project expectations.

4) Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT) Leadership (Primary)

• Plan and lead FAT for supplied packages (MCC, VFD, RVSS, RTU, and integration with instrumentation as applicable):

• Define FAT scope, acceptance criteria, and "ready for test" gates
• Coordinate test equipment, test configurations, simulated signals, and comms checks (as applicable)
• Ensure safety controls are in place during testing (LOTO boundaries, barricades, PPE requirements)
• Facilitate customer witness testing; manage punch lists and retest requirements

• Produce complete FAT documentation: results, deviations, corrective actions, and final acceptance records.
• Ensure all redlines are captured and turned into as-built deliverables as required.

5) Quality Assurance & Turnover

• Maintain readiness gates: design review shop release QA inspection FAT readiness FAT closeout shipment/turnover.
• Drive punch list closure and documentation completeness prior to shipment.
• Support turnover package delivery: as-builts, O&M manuals, certificates, settings/parameter records (if applicable), and training materials (if in scope).

6) Interfaces & Exclusions (Clear Boundaries)

• No installation: The I&C Project Engineer does not supervise or perform field installation.
• No switchboard startup/energization: The I&C Project Engineer does not perform SWBD startup, energization, or utility/meter connections.
• Provide interface documentation needed by others (e.g., termination points, metering requirements, coordination notes), but do not execute energization work.

Risk Management Expectations (Required)

• Maintain a living Risk Register for assigned projects (schedule, technical, vendor, testing, safety, and interface risks).
• Identify and mitigate risks specific to control system design and packaged equipment:

• Design risks (interface gaps, comms assumptions, I/O mismatches, incomplete control narrative/sequence)
• Long-lead MCC/VFD components, breaker/CT/PT availability, instrumentation lead times
• Spec conflicts, metering/utility interface ambiguities, comms constraints
• FAT readiness risks (missing docs, firmware/version mismatches, incomplete wiring/labeling)
• Vendor deviations and substitutions requiring approval

• Quantify impacts (probability/severity) and implement mitigations (early design reviews, alternates, staged FAT, simulation plans, re-sequencing).
• Escalate early when risks threaten milestones or compliance.
• Enforce strict change control: no scope creep without documented authorization.

Safety Practices (Applicable to Shop/Test Environment)

• Enforce Stop Work Authority and pre-task briefings for FAT activities.
• Ensure testing is performed under controlled conditions:

• Defined LOTO boundaries and verification steps
• Test-before-touch where applicable
• Barricades/signage for energized testing areas (when needed)
• Proper PPE selection per job hazard/risk analysis

• Confirm only qualified personnel perform tasks involving exposure to energized parts.
• Verify safe tool use, housekeeping, cable management, and lifting/handling practices for large equipment.
• Coordinate customer witness safety expectations during FAT (PPE, safe zones, escorting).

Qualifications

• 2+ years supporting control system design and delivery for I&C, MCC/VFD/RVSS packages, RTUs/PLCs, or industrial electrical/control systems.

• Ability to interpret P&IDs, one-lines, wiring diagrams, and control schematics.

• Familiarity with RTU/PLC interfaces and basic communications troubleshooting.
• Strong documentation discipline and customer-facing communication skills.

Performance Measures

• Control system designs are complete, buildable, and FAT-ready with minimal rework.
• FATs executed safely, on schedule, with complete documentation and minimal retest cycles.
• Submittals and vendor packages meet specifications with clearly documented deviations.
• Risks identified early and mitigated before impacting shipment/turnover.
• Turnover packages delivered complete and accurate with clean as-builts.

What we offer you

Paid parental leave
Parental leave
Health insurance
401(k) matching
Paid time off
Vision insurance
Health savings account
Dental insurance
Gym membership
Employee assistance program
Disability insurance
401(k) 6% Match
Paid holidays
Wellness program

Sulzer is an equal opportunity employer. We believe in the strength of a diverse workforce and are committed to offering an inclusive work environment.

We are proud to be recognized as a Top Employer 2026 in Brazil, Canada, China, Finland, Germany, Ireland, Mexico, Switzerland, South Africa, the UK and the USA.