Senior Controls Engineer

About the role

The Tract Capital Senior Controls Engineer is responsible for owning the controls discipline design for behind-the-meter (BTM) generation solutions and integrating these systems into Tract’s monitoring and command center operations. This role involves developing controls standards and Basis of Design (BOD), coordinating with vendors and product teams, and ensuring that OT systems meet reliability, cybersecurity, and operational requirements for mission-critical environments.

Responsibilities

• Own controls discipline design and Basis of Design (BOD) for BTM generation systems, including PLC/RTU architecture, network design, telemetry points, alarms, and historian requirements.
• Capture and coordinate with Power Generation equipment (Reciprocating Engines, Turbines, Fuel Cells, Batteries etc.) vendors on control panels, engine controllers, switchgear controls, and ancillary skids to ensure consistent interfaces and robust fault handling.
• Define integration requirements to our monitoring systems (dashboards, alarm priorities, escalation paths, and runbooks) and ensure clear demarcation of responsibilities during incidents.
• Partner with Product and Security to align cybersecurity requirements (segmentation, access control, logging, secure remote access) with customer and enterprise standards.
• Support commissioning, controls validation, and site acceptance testing; troubleshoot issues related to sequencing, protection interfaces, and communications.
• Develop and maintain standard operating procedures (SOPs), modes of operation (MOPs), and change-control practices for controls modifications and setpoint management.
• Establish KPIs for controls performance and reliability (nuisance alarm rate, comms uptime, MTTR) and drive continuous improvement.
• Support after-action reviews and root cause analysis for controls-related events; implement corrective actions and prevent recurrence.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Controls Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related discipline.
• 7+ years in industrial controls/OT engineering, SCADA integration, or mission-critical controls for generation/power systems.

• Proven ownership of controls discipline design and Basis of Design (BOD) for complex industrial or mission-critical power systems (PLC/RTU architecture, networks, alarms, historian).
• Demonstrated experience integrating controls/OT systems with centralized monitoring or command center platforms, including alarm prioritization and runbook alignment.
• Hands-on experience supporting commissioning, controls validation, and site acceptance testing, including troubleshooting sequencing, protection interface, and communications issues.
• Track record establishing and maintaining SOPs, MOPs, and change-control practices for controls logic, setpoints, and configuration changes.
• Experience defining and tracking controls performance KPIs (e.g., nuisance alarm rate, communications uptime, MTTR) and driving corrective actions through post-incident reviews and root cause analysis.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with generation controls, paralleling/synchronizing systems, and integration with protection relays and switchgear.
• Experience implementing OT security best practices (IEC 62443 concepts, secure remote access, network hardening).
• Familiarity with common industrial protocols (Modbus, DNP3, OPC-UA) and time synchronization practices.
• Experience supporting 24/7 operations environments and incident response workflows.

Required Traits

• Integrity and Ethical Standards: Build trust, ensure fairness, and foster long-term, transparent relationships with suppliers.
• Effective Communication: The ability to clearly convey expectations and requirements to suppliers and negotiation parties, while understanding their needs and concerns.
• Comfortable delivering written and verbal presentations to internal leadership teams.
• Emotional Intelligence (EQ): Ability to understand the emotions, cultural nuances, and motivations of others, while effectively managing one's own emotions during high-pressure negotiations.
• Strategic Thinking: Recognize how supplier relationships and negotiations align with the broader organizational goals, while aiming for outcomes that benefit both parties.
• Critical Thinking Skills: Find innovative solutions and be flexible in addressing unexpected challenges.
• Analytical Ability: Make data-driven decisions, assess cost structures, and identify potential risks, ensuring informed and strategic outcomes.
• Influence and Persuasion: Able to effectively advocate for their position, build consensus, and secure favorable agreements without compromising relationships.
• Operational Paranoia: Anticipate risks, identify vulnerabilities, and proactively implement mechanisms to prevent and minimize disruptions and safeguard safety, security, availability, and scale.
• Relationship Management: Cultivate trust, collaboration, and long-term partnerships, while building a broad network that provides valuable benchmarking, industry insights, and alternative sourcing options.

Location and Travel

Work location is flexible to Seattle, WA, Denver, CO, Austin, TX, or Alexandria, VA. Regular travel, as needed, to offices as well as to meet with Vendors.

Expected Salary Range

$120,000 - $150,000 Salary + Discretionary Bonus.

Tract Capital Employment

Tract Capital employees enjoy competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits, including 100% employer-covered medical, dental, and vision insurance, a 401K program, standard paid holidays, and unlimited PTO.

Note

This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive. Employees may perform other related duties to meet the organization's ongoing needs. Tract Capital is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. Qualified applicants are considered for employment regardless of age, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or veteran status. If you need assistance applying for any of our open positions, please contact us at info@tractcapital.com.