Senior Instrument Engineer Jobs in Houston, TX (NOW HIRING)

Description

The I&C Commissioning Engineer plans, executes, and oversees all instrumentation, controls, and SCADA commissioning across Fervo's geothermal power projects. The role covers the full commissioning lifecycle from pre-commissioning loop checks and instrument calibration through DCS/SCADA configuration verification, interlock testing, and handover to operations.

Scope includes all field instrumentation (pressure, temperature, flow, level, analytical), DCS and PLC systems, SCADA architecture and historian configuration, control narratives, interlock and trip logic, ORC package unit controls integration, and well field instrumentation and automation. This role has clear ownership of I&C and controls execution scope and does not extend into electrical acceptance testing, NETA scope, or mechanical rotating equipment integrity.

The I&C Commissioning Engineer works closely with the Sr. Electrical Testing and Commissioning Engineer at the boundary between electrical protection systems and the DCS/SCADA/PLC platform, and with Operations on operator interface design, alarm management, and historian configuration. I&C findings, loop check data, interlock verification results, and controls deviations are fed into the Asset Integrity Engineer's integrated lifecycle risk framework.

Requirements

Responsibilities

Commissioning Planning & Controls Strategy

• Develop and implement Inspection and Test Plans (ITPs) for all I&C and controls systems, based on design specifications, control narratives, and applicable standards.
• Define the loop check strategy, instrument calibration program, and I/O verification sequence; develop and maintain the loop check database with status tracking per instrument tag.
• Review control narratives, cause-and-effect matrices, and interlock logic documentation; identify gaps or conflicts between design documents and field configuration before commissioning begins.
• Develop commissioning procedures, test packages, and work permits for all I&C and controls testing activities.
• Define DCS/SCADA commissioning sequencing to support safe and orderly system startup.

Field I&C Execution

• Lead on-site execution of all loop checks, point-to-point testing, instrument calibration, and signal validation; support the Lead I&C Commissioning Technician and field personnel.
• Inspect, calibrate, and verify field instrumentation including pressure, temperature, flow, level, and analytical devices against calibration records and design datasheets as required. 
• Commission DCS and PLC systems: verify I/O configuration, test control logic, validate alarm setpoints, and confirm historian data collection.
• Commission SCADA systems: verify communications architecture, tag configuration, operator display functionality, and remote monitoring integration.
• Perform functional testing of all safety instrumented system (SIS) functions, safety interlocks, and process trips; verify independence from the basic process control system (BPCS) where required.
• Troubleshoot instrumentation, control logic, and communication issues during commissioning; coordinate with OEM technical support and Engineering to resolve deficiencies.

ORC Package & Well Field Controls Integration

• Lead I&C commissioning for ORC turbine-generator package units: coordinate with OEM commissioning teams on controls handshake, interlock integration, and performance testing.
• Commission well field instrumentation and automation: wellhead sensors, downhole monitoring integration, flow control systems, and chemical injection controls.
• Verify integration of package unit control systems (ORC, instrument air, VFDs) with the plant SCADA, including all start/stop permissives, status signals, and alarms.

Electrical/Controls Integration

• Coordinate with the Sr. Electrical Testing and Commissioning Engineer on the integration boundary between electrical protection systems and the DCS/SCADA/PLC platform, including protection relay communications, breaker status signals, and generator controls integration.
• Own DCS/SCADA architecture and control narrative authority at the electrical/controls boundary; the Sr. Electrical Testing and Commissioning Engineer owns electrical protection and switching logic at that same boundary.

Asset Integrity Support & Risk Reporting

• Feed I&C findings, loop check status, interlock verification results, and controls deviation dispositions to the Asset Integrity Engineer for consolidation into the integrated lifecycle risk register.
• Participate in PHAs, FMEAs, and pre-startup safety reviews (PSSRs); provide I&C and controls sign-off as part of the integrated readiness decision.
• Communicate I&C lessons learned to the Asset Integrity Engineer for routing to Engineering and future projects.

Documentation & Handover

• Work with Engineering and Operations on SCADA operator interface design, alarm rationalization, and historian tag configuration to support long-term asset monitoring.
• Compile and maintain complete I&C commissioning documentation packages: loop check records, calibration certificates, interlock test records, as-built instrument index, and I&C turnover dossiers.
• Prepare I&C commissioning completion reports and handover packages for Operations, confirming all instruments, controls, and SCADA systems have been tested, accepted, and documented.
• Maintain accurate loop sheets, wiring diagrams, instrument data sheets, and control system documentation through to as-built status.

Required Qualifications

• 7+ years of experience in I&C and controls commissioning in power generation, process, or industrial facilities.
• Hands-on experience with loop checks, instrument calibration, I/O verification, and functional testing of instrumentation in complex industrial environments.
• Experience commissioning DCS, PLC, and/or SCADA systems including control logic verification, alarm configuration, and historian setup.
• Ability to read and interpret P&IDs, loop diagrams, wiring diagrams, cause-and-effect matrices, and control narratives accurately.
• Experience with SIS/safety interlock commissioning and verification of independence from BPCS.
• Comfortable working in a field environment with regular site presence during commissioning campaigns (25-75% travel expected depending on site activities).
• Clear written and verbal communication skills; able to document test results, deficiencies, and risk dispositions for both technical and non-technical audiences.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Instrumentation, Controls, Electrical Engineering, or a related discipline. Candidates without a degree but with strong, directly relevant commissioning experience will be considered.
• Experience on utility-scale power generation projects including geothermal, conventional thermal, wind, or solar.
• Experience commissioning geothermal plant control systems, including integration with package unit OEM controls.
• Familiarity with well field instrumentation, downhole monitoring systems, or geothermal fluid chemistry measurement.
• Experience with SCADA historian platforms (OSIsoft PI, Ignition, or similar) and operator display development.
• Familiarity with IEC 61511 / ANSI/ISA 84 safety instrumented systems standards.
• Experience with commissioning software and loop check management platforms.
• Project management, commissioning, or instrumentation certifications (e.g., PMP, CxA, ISA CCST, or equivalent).

Location

Fervo Energy is headquartered in Houston, TX with growing offices in Oakland, CA, Golden, CO, Salt Lake City, UT, Reno, NV, and Milford, UT. This position shall be located at one of those locations, with site presence at project sites during active commissioning campaigns.