I&C Commissioning Engineer
Fervo Energy · Houston, TX · 1 wk ago
HybridEngineeringFull-time
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
- Cookordinate 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.
- 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.
- 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).