Power Systems Controls Engineer

About the job

Eaton’s Electrical Engineering Services and Systems division is seeking a Power Systems Controls Engineer to join our team in Houston, TX.

In this role, you’ll design, program, test, and implement automated control and power management systems for switchboard and power distribution applications. You’ll work on projects from system design and programming through factory testing, commissioning support, and system modifications, helping deliver reliable, integrated power systems solutions for our customers.

Our Power Systems Controls (PSC) team is a full-service systems integrator, bringing together the equipment, controls, and technologies required to deliver complete power management solutions. You’ll collaborate with talented engineers and technicians and gain hands-on experience integrating a wide range of PLCs, HMIs, protective relays, and power distribution control technologies across multiple manufacturers.

The expected annual salary range for this role is $71000 - $105000 a year.  This role also offers paid overtime (premium pay) and a company vehicle!

Please note the salary information shown above is a general guideline only. Salaries are based upon candidate skills, experience, and qualifications, as well as market and business considerations.

What you’ll do:

•    Design, develop, test, and deploy software for Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs) and Human Machine Interfaces (HMIs) supporting power transfer applications, including: Main-Tie-Main (MTM), Main-Generator (Main-Gen), Main-Tie-Main-Generator (MTM-Gen), Paralleling switchgear systems, and Microgrid control applications •    Deploy power system control solutions utilizing PLCs, HMIs, protective relays, and communication networks from major industry OEMs. •    Integrate switchgear control components and automation systems to meet customer-specific operational and performance requirements. •    Select system components and develop bills of material (BOMs) for project execution. Provide sketches, markups, and technical direction to electrical designers for the development of project drawings and documentation. •    Develop customer submittals, sequence of operations (SOO), control narratives, and factory and site acceptance test procedures. •    Support factory acceptance testing (FAT), site commissioning, startup activities, and field service assignments. •    Diagnose and troubleshoot control, communication, and power system issues to restore system functionality and performance. Advise customers on system improvements, modernization opportunities, and technical solutions that enhance reliability, safety, and efficiency.

Qualifications:

Required (Basic) Qualifications: •    Bachelor’s degree in engineering from an accredited institution with minimum 1 year of controls experience or minimum 3 years of controls experience in power distribution applications. •     All candidates must reside within a 50-mile radius of Houston, TX. No relocation will be offered for this role. Active-Duty Military Service member candidates are exempt from the geographical area limitation. •    This role is designated as a Regular Driver per Eaton’s Driver Safety Policy and requires a current, unrestricted driver’s license along with a satisfactory Motor Vehicle Record. Candidates will be subject to a motor vehicle record check upon hire.

Preferred Qualifications: •    Experience with power distribution systems, industrial controls, or related applications •    2+ years of experience in power system controls, automation, or systems integration. •    Experience with industrial communication protocols such as Modbus, Ethernet/IP, DNP3, or similar protocols. •    Familiarity with protective relays, switchgear controls, and microgrid applications. •    Experience with PLC (Programmable Logic Controls), HMI (Human Machine Interface) software and power monitoring software packages.

Skills:

POSITION CRITERIA:

•    Successfully complete and maintain compliance with Eaton’s safety program and policy; This includes role-applicable portions of the EESS Qualified Electrical Worker (QEW) program and any required annual re-certifications thereafter. •    Submit to periodic customer required background and drug screenings. •    Ability and willingness to travel up to 50% to support customer sites and project execution. •    Knowledge and understanding of best engineering practices for design of automation systems, power management systems, human-machine interface software, PLC programming, etc. •    Working knowledge of test equipment and diagnostic instruments for automation and power management systems. •    Knowledge of troubleshooting, test and repair techniques. •    Knowledge of parts, part masters, bill of materials. •    Knowledge and practice of safety precautions related to working with automation and power management systems. •    Has demonstrated ability to provide service and represent company interests in developing customer relationships to assure long-term customer satisfaction.

All positions may require participation in video and in-person interviews as part of the hiring process. All candidates will be evaluated based on job-related competencies, and all candidates’ privacy rights and data security will be protected in accordance with applicable laws.

We are committed to ensuring equal employment opportunities for all job applicants and employees. Employment decisions are based upon job-related reasons regardless of an applicant's race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, disability, marital status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other status protected by law.

Eaton believes in second chance employment. Qualified applicants with arrest or conviction history will be considered regardless of their arrest or conviction history, consistent with the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance, the California Fair Chance Act and other local laws.

You do not need to disclose your conviction history or participate in a background check until a conditional job offer is made to you. After making a conditional offer and running a background check, if Eaton is concerned about conviction that is directly related to the job, you will be given the chance to explain the circumstances surrounding the conviction, provide mitigating evidence, or challenge the accuracy of the background report.

To request a disability-related reasonable accommodation to assist you in your job search, application, or interview process, please call us at 1-800-836-6345 to discuss your specific need. Only accommodation requests will be accepted by this phone number.

We know that good benefit programs are important to employees and their families. Eaton provides various Health and Welfare benefits as well as Retirement benefits, and several programs that provide for paid and unpaid time away from work. Click here for more detail: Eaton Benefits Overview. Please note that specific programs and options available to an employee may depend on eligibility factors such as geographic location, date of hire, and the applicability of collective bargaining agreements.