DCS Start-Up Engineer

About the role

The DCS Start-Up Engineer will provide technical leadership and hands-on field engineering support for Distributed Control System installation, checkout, commissioning, start-up, and turnover on major generation projects. This role serves as a key interface among project engineering, construction, vendors, commissioning teams, operations, cybersecurity, and other stakeholders to ensure control system scope is delivered safely, efficiently, and in alignment with project requirements.

Responsibilities

• Lead or support DCS field start-up activities, including hardware checkout, controller and cabinet inspections, network verification, power-up support, system readiness reviews and system walk-downs.
• Coordinate with vendors, EPC contractors, construction teams, commissioning personnel, operations, and engineering stakeholders to plan and execute DCS commissioning activities.
• Support control system configuration, logic checkout, graphics verification, alarm validation, historian and interface checks, and controller-to-field device integration.
• Plan, coordinate, and participate in loop checks, functional testing, cause-and-effect testing, interlock validation, permissive testing, sequence testing, and control tuning, as applicable.
• Troubleshoot DCS hardware, software, communications, field instrumentation interfaces, I/O, networks, and related control system components.
• Review DCS drawings, logic diagrams, control narratives, I/O lists, network architecture drawings, cabinet layouts, test procedures, and vendor documentation for constructability, accuracy, and readiness.
• Support factory acceptance testing, site acceptance testing, commissioning test procedure development, deficiency tracking, and resolution of punch list items.
• Ensure DCS start-up activities are performed in accordance with project requirements, contracts, design criteria, safety expectations, cybersecurity requirements, and regulatory obligations.
• Provide field engineering support during energization, first fire, synchronization, performance testing, turnover milestones, and initial operation of new generation assets, as applicable.
• Prepare and maintain start-up documentation, test records, turnover packages, marked-up drawings, issue logs, lessons learned, and technical correspondence.
• Monitor controls-related scope, schedule, cost, quality, risk, and readiness concerns; communicate issues and recommended actions to project leadership.
• Manage the control change management procedure throughout the commissioning of the site. Daily coordination with EPC startup team and PMC engineering team.
• Support project closeout, warranty resolution, and transfer of control system knowledge to operations and maintenance personnel.

Requirements

• Minimum of 8 years of engineering experience, including experience with control systems, commissioning, start-up, power generation, industrial controls, or related technical project execution.
• Strong working knowledge of Distributed Control Systems and related control system hardware, software, networks, and integration.
• Ability to support field engineering activities in active construction and commissioning environments.
• Must be able to wear required personal protective equipment, including hard-hat, safety glasses, safety clothing, hearing protection, fall protection, and other PPE based on site conditions.
• Must be able to work safely in active industrial, construction, and commissioning environments.
• Must be able to support extended onsite assignments, changing project schedules, and critical commissioning milestones.

Skills

• Strong analytical, troubleshooting, communication, documentation, and coordination skills.
• Experience with Emerson Ovation or similar Distributed Control System platforms.
• Experience supporting hardware checkout, software validation, logic testing, graphics verification, and commissioning activities.
• Experience with power generation facilities, combustion turbines combined cycle facilities, and balance-of-plant systems.
• Familiarity with PLCs, field instrumentation, process controls, electrical interfaces, industrial networks, cybersecurity requirements, and control system integration.
• Working knowledge of applicable industry standards and requirements, including ISA, IEEE, NFPA, NERC CIP, and company cybersecurity and compliance procedures.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively in high-pressure start-up and commissioning environments.

Employment details

Hybrid work arrangement when project demands allow. Significant onsite support is required during construction, commissioning, start-up, and turnover periods. Onsite assignments may include extended periods at project locations, including active construction and commissioning environments. Travel requirement is typically 25-50%, with higher travel possible during critical start-up and commissioning phases.