Controls Engineer (Power Generation) - Memphis
xAI · Southaven, United States +1 · 5d ago
SpaceXAI’s mission is to create AI systems that can accurately understand the universe and aid humanity in its pursuit of knowledge. Our team is small, highly motivated, and focused on engineering excellence. This organization is for individuals who appreciate challenging themselves and thrive on curiosity. We operate with a flat organizational structure. All employees are expected to be hands-on and to contribute directly to the company’s mission. Leadership is given to those who show initiative and consistently deliver excellence. Work ethic and strong prioritization skills are important. All employees are expected to have strong communication skills. They should be able to concisely and accurately share knowledge with their teammates.
ABOUT THE ROLE:
Join the power generation engineering team to design, commission, and maintain plant control systems. As a Controls Engineer, you will own BOP PLC/HMI and the control-room SCADA picture that brings generation and balance-of-plant into one operating view — Solar, 6000, and BOP on a single set of screens. You will work from control philosophy through commissioning and ongoing reliability, hands-on at the panel and in the control room. The position is based in Memphis, TN, with potential travel to other sites.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Own BOP PLC and HMI design, programming, and commissioning for power generation balance-of-plant systems (fuel gas, water, compressed/instrument air, HVAC, cooling, electrical auxiliaries, and related process/utility systems)
- Design and maintain the plant SCADA architecture so operators have one operating picture in the control room integrating Solar, 6000, and BOP — graphics, alarms, historian, and situational awareness on a single platform
- Develop control philosophy, control narratives, I/O lists, network drawings, cause-and-effect diagrams, and HMI/SCADA standards for reuse across the facility
- Specify PLC, HMI, SCADA, remote I/O, industrial networking, and interface hardware; define data exchange with OEM turbine/generation controllers (Solar and 6000) and with electrical protection, metering, and plant systems
- Program, test, and troubleshoot PLC logic and HMI applications (IEC 61131 — ladder, function block, structured text as applicable)
- Integrate OEM packages and third-party systems into plant SCADA using industrial protocols (Modbus, DNP3, OPC UA, IEC 61850, and others as required) so Solar, 6000, and BOP operate as one system
- Commission controls: I/O checkout, loop checks, functional testing, HMI validation, alarm rationalization, and start-up support; stay hands-on with technicians and operators
- Support day-to-day operations: troubleshooting, sequence issues, bad actors, and control changes under MOPs/MOC
- Maintain configuration management for PLC/HMI/SCADA programs, as-left files, firmware, and network documentation
- Coordinate with electrical, mechanical, fluids, protection, and operations so controls scope is fully integrated through construction, commissioning, and turnover
- Apply relevant standards for industrial control systems and electrical work (NFPA 70 / 70E, IEC 61131, and site cybersecurity/ICS practices such as NERC CIP where applicable)
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:
- Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, controls engineering, computer engineering, or another engineering discipline
- 3+ years of experience in PLC, HMI, and/or SCADA engineering (design, programming, or commissioning) on industrial or power generation systems
PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:
- 5+ years in a controls role at a power plant, independent power producer, OEM, EPC, or heavy industrial facility
- Hands-on BOP PLC/HMI experience on gas turbine or similar generation projects
- Experience building a unified control-room SCADA/HMI that aggregates multiple OEM controllers (e.g. Solar, 6000, or equivalent turbine packages) with plant BOP
- Familiarity with major platforms (e.g. Ignition, Allen-Bradley/Rockwell, Siemens, Emerson, GE, SEL) and industrial networking (IT/OT)
- Experience with IEC 61131 programming and protocols such as Modbus, DNP3, OPC UA, and IEC 61850
- Experience across the project lifecycle: design, programming, construction support, commissioning, and operations
- Experience with alarm management, historian, and control-room graphics that operators actually use
- Working knowledge of how BOP controls interface with electrical power systems (switchgear, protection, metering) without owning relay settings
- Experience managing OEM and contractor interfaces on multi-discipline power or capital projects
- Professional Engineering license, or actively working toward one
- Ability to support technicians in the field and to remain effective during outages, start-up, and event investigations
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:
- Willingness to perform hands-on work in the plant and control room, including during outages and commissioning
- Ability to work extended hours and weekends as needed to support power generation operations
- Must be able to work on-site in Memphis, TN, with potential travel to other SpaceX facilities
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