Control Systems Engineer – Turbine Automation and Protection

The Mid-Level Control Systems Engineer is responsible for the design, configuration, integration, and commissioning of control and protection systems for gas and steam turbines used in marine propulsion, auxiliary power generation, and industrial cogeneration applications. This role combines technical expertise in automation platforms with hands-on experience in system diagnostics, performance tuning, and regulatory compliance.

Key Responsibilities:

• • Design and configure turbine automation and protection systems including PLCs, DCS, HMI/SCADA interfaces, and auxiliary subsystems.

  • Develop turbine control logic for critical functions such as start/stop sequencing, load control, speed regulation, temperature/pressure management, trip handling, and emergency shutdown (ESD).

  • Integrate control systems with mechanical and electrical subsystems (e.g., fuel control, lube oil skids, steam valves, IGVs).

  • Commission, test, and troubleshoot control systems during Factory Acceptance Tests (FAT), Site Acceptance Tests (SAT), and field commissioning.

  • Support the deployment of condition monitoring and vibration protection systems (e.g., Bently Nevada 3500, Vibro-Meter).

  • Interface with customers, OEMs, and class society inspectors to demonstrate functional compliance and system readiness.

  • Review and generate technical documentation including I/O lists, control narratives, cause-and-effect matrices, and loop diagrams.

  • Mentor junior engineers and support cross-functional coordination with software, instrumentation, and field engineering teams.

  • Ensure systems comply with marine, offshore, or industrial standards such as ABS, DNV, USCG, API 612/670, IEC 61508, and ISO 13849.

Key Focus Areas:

• • Turbine Start/Stop Logic and Emergency Shutdown (ESD) Systems

  • Closed-loop Control for Speed, Load, and Temperature Regulation

  • Integration with SCADA/HMI for Marine and Industrial Applications

  • Vibration, Overspeed, and Critical Condition Monitoring

  • Marine Class Compliance and FAT/SAT Execution

Qualifications:

• • Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Controls Engineering, Mechatronics, or related field.

  • 3–7 years of hands-on experience with turbine or rotating equipment automation.

  • Proficient in PLC/DCS programming (e.g., Siemens T3000, Rockwell, Allen-Bradley, GE Mark VIe, Woodward MicroNet Plus).

  • Strong working knowledge of industrial communication protocols (Modbus, Profibus, OPC, Ethernet/IP).

  • Familiarity with SCADA systems and HMI development tools (e.g., WinCC, Wonderware, iFIX, Cimplicity).

Preferred Skills:

• • Experience in marine engine rooms, offshore turbine modules, or land-based cogeneration plants.

  • Competency with NDT data integration, alarm rationalization, and functional safety analysis (SIL/LOPA).

  • Knowledge of cybersecurity for control systems (IEC 62443, NIST frameworks).

  • Field experience with calibration tools, signal simulators, and diagnostic software for commissioning.

  • Ability to lead or contribute to RCA (Root Cause Analysis) for turbine trips or performance anomalies.

Work Environment:

• • Work is split between control engineering offices, test facilities, and field commissioning environments.

  • Regular travel required to OEM sites, offshore rigs, shipyards, and power facilities for commissioning or upgrades.

  • PPE and site safety compliance are mandatory for all field-based assignments.