Controls Engineer

Controls Engineer

Location: Clinton, NJ

Overview

An established engineering organization supporting utility-scale renewable energy projects is seeking a Controls Engineer to join its growing team in Clinton, NJ. This position offers the opportunity to work on advanced SCADA and controls systems across solar, battery energy storage (BESS), and wind energy applications.

The successful candidate will play a key role throughout the project lifecycle, contributing to system design, development, procurement, implementation, testing, and commissioning activities. The role requires a combination of technical expertise, problem-solving ability, and strong communication skills to collaborate effectively with multidisciplinary project teams.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and develop monitoring and control systems for renewable energy facilities, including solar PV, battery storage, and wind projects.
• Configure and integrate SCADA platforms, power plant controllers, RTUs, networking equipment, and associated hardware.
• Produce detailed engineering documentation, including system architecture drawings, network layouts, points lists, logic diagrams, and operator interface designs.
• Program, configure, and commission PLCs, SCADA systems, historians, and HMI applications.
• Prepare project deliverables such as commissioning reports, as-built documentation, operating procedures, training materials, and system manuals.
• Provide technical support and troubleshooting assistance for installed monitoring and control systems.
• Coordinate network infrastructure requirements, including protocol selection, IP addressing schemes, communication interfaces, and firewall configuration.
• Support field installation activities and lead commissioning efforts when required.
• Diagnose and resolve technical issues using software and hardware diagnostic tools.
• Collaborate with project management teams to communicate progress, identify risks, and develop mitigation strategies.
• Continuously develop knowledge of emerging technologies and equipment utilized within the renewable energy sector.

Requirements

Experience

• Approximately 3-5 years of experience in SCADA, controls engineering, automation, or a related technical field.
• Previous exposure to renewable energy projects such as solar, battery storage, wind generation, or other utility/industrial control environments is preferred.
• Working knowledge of programming or scripting languages such as Python, Structured Text (IEC 61131), C, C++, or Java.
• Experience with server configuration, database management, and web-based applications.
• Familiarity with industrial networking and communications, including Ethernet TCP/IP and serial communication protocols.
• Understanding of fibre optic communication systems.
• Experience with Inductive Automation Ignition is advantageous.
• Knowledge of solar monitoring systems or similar industrial monitoring applications is beneficial.

Education

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Mechanical Engineering, or another related discipline.
• Advanced degrees are considered an advantage.

Desired Attributes

The ideal candidate will demonstrate:

• Strong analytical and troubleshooting capabilities.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• The ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• A collaborative approach to teamwork while maintaining the ability to work independently.
• A genuine interest in renewable energy technologies and infrastructure.
• Adaptability and willingness to take on new technical challenges.
• An entrepreneurial mindset with a proactive, self-starting attitude.
• Willingness to travel as needed.

Additional Information

• Location: Clinton, New Jersey
• Employment Type: Full-Time
• Travel Requirement: Up to 20%
• Work Environment: Combination of office-based engineering work, remote technical support, and occasional field commissioning activities.