I&C Operations Engineer

About the role

Fervo is building the world's most cost-effective, repeatable geothermal power plants. This role is operational at its core: your primary job is keeping a 24/7 power generation facility running at full output through fast diagnosis, continuous improvement, and rigorous program ownership.

Responsibilities

• Control System Ownership & Reliability
  Serve as the site technical authority for all I&C systems including Allen-Bradley PLCs (ControlLogix, CompactLogix), Ignition SCADA, field instrumentation, and industrial control networks.
  Monitor control system and instrumentation performance to proactively identify reliability risks and optimization opportunities across ORC generation, gathering, and surface facility systems.
  Lead root cause analysis (RCA) and after-action reviews (AARs) for control system failures, instrumentation faults, and process upsets; develop and track corrective actions to closure.
  Work closely with maintenance to define preventive maintenance strategies for instrumentation and control system assets, and to develop field procedures for calibration, loop checks, and device replacement.

• SCADA Development & Continuous Improvement
  Own and continuously improve Cape Station's Ignition SCADA application, including HMI screens, tag configuration, alarming, historian integration, and operational reporting.
  Develop and refine operational dashboards and daily reports that give operators and engineering staff clear, real-time visibility into facility health and performance.
  Build and maintain KPI monitoring displays that track power output, system availability, and process efficiency against targets and historical baselines.
  Apply lessons learned from Cape Station operations to contribute to the evolution of Fervo's standardized Geoblock SCADA architecture and shared PLC code library.

• Field Instrumentation & Troubleshooting
  Troubleshoot process control, instrumentation, and control network issues in the field with a sense of urgency appropriate to a generating facility — fast diagnosis, clear communication, disciplined resolution.
  Size, select, and specify replacement instrumentation including control valves, flow meters, pressure transmitters, and safety valves; manage procurement and installation through maintenance and operations.
  Configure and troubleshoot industrial communication networks including Modbus TCP/IP, EtherNet/IP, and OPC-UA; support field device integration and network reliability.
  Support PLC programming modifications in Rockwell Studio 5000 using Fervo's standard code blocks; document all changes and manage through the MOC process.

• Management of Change (MOC) & Engineering Standards
  Own and manage I&C scope within the site MOC program, ensuring all control system and instrumentation changes are properly evaluated, documented, and closed in accordance with OSHA PSM requirements.
  Review and redline P&IDs for accuracy of instrumentation depiction; coordinate with the process engineering team on instrument datasheet development and updates.
  Provide I&C technical input during equipment procurement, contractor scope reviews, and vendor deliverable reviews.
  Support PSSR activities for new I&C systems and modifications, and contribute to HAZOP and PHA evaluations as the I&C subject matter expert.

• Small Capital Project Development & Execution
  Identify, scope, and develop small capital I&C improvement projects from concept through commissioning and handover.
  Prepare AFEs, project scopes, cost estimates, and schedules for management approval.
  Manage vendors, contractors, and internal stakeholders through project execution, ensuring delivery on time and within budget.
  Apply a design philosophy of safety, simplicity, and rapid deployment — optimizing for speed-to-power-production without sacrificing control system integrity.

• OT Network & Cybersecurity
  Maintain and improve the site OT network architecture, including control system network segmentation, firewall configuration, and secure remote access in coordination with Fervo's IT/OT and cybersecurity teams.
  Ensure control system designs and modifications comply with Fervo's OT cybersecurity standards and applicable NERC CIP or equivalent requirements.

• Safety & Culture
  Model and reinforce a safety-first culture across all I&C engineering and field activities.
  Actively participate in safety observations, incident investigations, and corrective action tracking.
  Champion proactive hazard identification in control system design and field work planning.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or related discipline from an ABET-accredited program.
• 5+ years of experience in I&C engineering at operating industrial, power generation, or oil and gas facilities — operational experience required; pure design or systems integration backgrounds without significant field exposure will not be considered.
• Hands-on experience with Allen-Bradley PLCs (ControlLogix, CompactLogix) and Rockwell Studio 5000; ability to read, troubleshoot, and modify existing PLC logic.
• Demonstrated experience with Ignition SCADA, including HMI development, tag configuration, alarming, and historian integration.
• Working knowledge of industrial communication protocols including Modbus TCP/IP, EtherNet/IP, and OPC-UA.
• Experience with field instrumentation — including calibration, loop checks, and sizing and selection of transmitters, control valves, and flow meters — is required.
• Familiarity with PSM-covered facilities and practical knowledge of MOC programs, PHAs/HAZOPs, and PSSRs as they relate to I&C systems.
• Experience developing and executing small capital projects, including scoping, cost estimation, and contractor management.
• Strong technical writing and communication skills — able to produce clear engineering documents and communicate findings to operations, engineering, and leadership audiences.
• High ownership mindset with the ability to manage multiple workstreams independently in a fast-moving, resource-constrained environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Inductive Automation Ignition certification.
• Experience with ORC systems, geothermal operations, or similar power generation facilities.