Plant Optimization Engineer Jobs in Reno, NV (NOW HIRING)

Description

Fervo is working to build the most cost-effective, repeatable geothermal power plants in the world. Joining Fervo's GeoBlock engineering team means solving frontier technical problems with immediate real-world impact, accelerating the clean energy transition and reinventing the way infrastructure is built.

We are seeking engineers who are excited by Fervo's mission, the opportunity to drive meaningful and impactful innovation, and the prospect of maintaining extreme ownership over the cost and constructability implications of their designs, knowing that each decision they make impacts the speed and scale of Fervo's mission.

As a Senior Instrumentation & Controls Engineer, you will be a technical leader in the design and optimization of instrumentation & controls systems for Fervo's innovative power plants. You will apply advanced engineering judgment and first-principles analysis to develop high-performance, cost-effective plant designs, while mentoring junior engineers and influencing cross-disciplinary decision-making. As Fervo transitions from first-of-a-kind projects to scaling deployment of its plants, you will play a key role in driving standardization and efficiency improvements across projects.

Requirements

Responsibilities

• Design control system architectures for standardized 50 MW geothermal power blocks, including development of control philosophies, cause and effect matrices, control narratives, and I/O lists
• Develop and maintain Ignition SCADA applications using Perspective, including server architectures, HMI screen development, tag configuration, alarming, historian integration, and report generation for geothermal facility operations
• Program Allen-Bradley PLCs (ControlLogix, CompactLogix) in Rockwell Studio 5000 using standard code blocks developed by Fervo's controls architecture team; contribute to the maintenance and evolution of that shared library as experience grows
• Produce a complete I&C drawing package including control system architecture drawings, panel designs, instrument loop diagrams, wiring diagrams, and low-voltage wiring schematics
• Review Piping and Instrumentation Diagrams (P&IDs) and instrument datasheets; size and select instrumentation including control valves, flow meters, pressure transmitters, and safety valves
• Design and specify control panels including enclosure layout, component selection, and low-voltage wiring; coordinate with panel fabricators through construction and factory acceptance testing
• Configure and troubleshoot industrial communication networks including Modbus TCP/IP, EtherNet/IP, Profinet, and OPC-UA; support fiber optic infrastructure design and installation coordination between field devices, PLCs, and SCADA
• Support greenfield construction and commissioning activities at Fervo sites, including site visits, SAT support, loop checks, and coordination with instrumentation and electrical contractors
• Collaborate with process, mechanical, and electrical engineering disciplines to ensure I&C design is fully integrated across the standardized 50 MW Geoblock product; support HAZOP and PHA evaluations
• Coordinate with IT/OT and cybersecurity teams to ensure control system designs meet network segmentation and secure remote access requirements
• Troubleshoot process control, control network, and instrumentation problems in the field; support operations teams in identifying and resolving issues during startup and steady-state operation

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or related degree from an ABET accredited program 
• 9-12 years of experience in Instrumentation & Control Engineering experience or related role 
• Strong working knowledge of industry standards and regulations.
• Ability to lead and mentor junior staff.
• Advanced oral and written communication skills, and a proven ability to write clear, thorough technical reports
• Knowledge and application of National Electrical Code (NEC), International Society of Automation (ISA) and other applicable industry codes and standards as they apply to control system specification and design
• Understanding of various process equipment such as vessels, tanks, heat exchangers & coolers, heaters, rotating equipment (pumps and compressors), packaged equipment, valves & specialty items
• General understanding of all phases of project document production and the relationship between drawings and specifications.
• Field experience preferred
• Experience with process flow/P&ID development, control narratives, Cause & Effect charts, SIS design, instrumentation studies, valve and instrument sizing, and automation/control system architecture.
• Ability to assist Process/Mechanical Engineers, support field evaluations and HAZOP/PHA reviews, and contribute to procurement (specifications, bid documents, instrument/PLC I/O lists).

Location

Fervo Energy has offices in Houston, TX, Golden, CO, Reno, NV, Oakland, CA, and Salt Lake City, UT. This position will be eligible for some hybrid work flexibility, but regular in-office presence at the Houston, Texas OR the Oakland, CA OR the Reno, Nevada office will be required.