Principal Engineer - Gas Turbines

Requisition ID: 96700

NextEra Energy Resources is one of America's largest wholesale electricity generators, harnessing diverse energy sources to power progress. We deliver tailored energy solutions that fuel economic growth, strengthen communities, and help customers achieve their energy goals. Ready to make a lasting impact? Take the next step in your career with us!

Position Specific Description

Join a world-class team of energy professionals as a Principal Controls Engineer, focusing on the strategic oversight and commissioning of gas turbine power plants. We are seeking a highly experienced engineering leader and subject matter expert in power plant control systems and automation technology. As a technology-driven company, we are looking for visionaries who want to set the technical standard and lead the successful deployment of critical, large-scale power generation assets.

Location:

Juno Beach, FL

Travel required: 25-50%

Job Description:

The Principal Controls Engineer will serve as the premier technical authority within the project execution team, responsible for defining the overarching controls strategy and commissioning lifecycle for a fleet of gas turbine power plants. This leadership role involves designing comprehensive, standardized commissioning plans, overseeing their execution on-site, and driving technical excellence across multiple concurrent projects. The ideal candidate will possess unparalleled expertise in power plant controls, a strategic approach to complex problem-solving, and a proven history of leading successful commissioning efforts for major energy infrastructure.

Job Responsibilities:

• Develop, standardize, and oversee the comprehensive commissioning and testing strategy for gas turbine control systems across multiple projects and fleet assets.
• Act as the ultimate technical escalation point and subject matter expert for gas turbine control systems (e.g., GE Mark VIe, Siemens T3000) and balance-of-plant integrations.
• Direct and oversee on-site controls commissioning activities, ensuring rigorous adherence to functional tests, loop checks, and performance validation standards.
• Lead cross-functional collaboration with EPC contractors, equipment vendors, and internal stakeholders to drive seamless system integration and resolve high-level architectural conflicts.
• Mentor, guide, and provide technical leadership to Senior Controls Engineers and other project team members.
• Spearhead the troubleshooting of the most complex, systemic control system issues during the commissioning, startup, and operational transition phases.
• Establish and enforce rigorous documentation standards for all testing procedures, results, and commissioning progress.
• Evaluate new control technologies and methodologies, ensuring all systems and commissioning activities exceed industry standards, safety regulations, and cybersecurity protocols.

Required Skillsets:

• Mastery-level expertise in the overarching architecture, control systems, and operation of gas turbine power plants.
• Extensive, hands-on architectural experience with turbine control platforms such as GE Mark VIe, Siemens T3000, or similar complex systems.
• Advanced proficiency in programming, architecting, and troubleshooting PLCs and Distributed Control Systems (DCS).
• Deep knowledge of industrial communication protocols (e.g., Modbus, DNP3, OPC) and their integration into enterprise-level SCADA networks.
• Proven ability to design fleet-wide commissioning plans, test procedures, and standardization protocols.
• Exceptional analytical and strategic problem-solving abilities, capable of resolving critical, high-pressure systemic issues.
• Advanced knowledge of power plant networking, OT cybersecurity, and firewall configurations.
• Expertise in reviewing, approving, and optimizing electrical and communication plan-sets.

Preferred Background:

• Bachelors degree or higher in Engineering (Electrical, Mechanical, or Controls preferred); Masters degree or Professional Engineer (PE) license is highly desirable.
• 8-10+ years of progressive experience in the programming, design, and commissioning of control systems in power plants, with extensive specific experience in gas turbines.
• Demonstrated history of serving in a lead or principal role for multi-million dollar commissioning activities.
• Exceptional organizational, communication, and executive-presentation skills.
• Proven track record of cross-functional team leadership and staff mentoring.

Job Overview

Employees in this role make decisions and recommendations having significant impact on extensive engineering and related activities for the company. This position negotiates critical and controversial issues with top level engineers and officers of other organizations and companies.

Job Duties & Responsibilities

• Demonstrates a high degree of creativity, foresight, and mature judgment in planning, organizing, and guiding extensive engineering programs and activities
• Manages one or more programs of complex diversity and scope which are of critical importance to overall company objectives
• Acts as a subject matter expert
• Performs other job-related duties as assigned

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's - Engineering
• Experience: 7+ years

Preferred Qualifications

• None

NextEra Energy offers a wide range of benefits to support our employees and their eligible family members. Click here to learn more.

Employee Group: Exempt

Employee Type: Full Time

Job Category: Engineering

Organization: NextEra Energy Resources, LLC

Relocation Provided: Yes, if applicable

NextEra Energy is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Qualified applicants are considered for employment without regard to race, color, age, national origin, religion, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetics, disability, protected veteran status or any other basis prohibited by law.

NextEra Energy and provides reasonable accommodation in its application and selection process for qualified individuals, including accommodations related to compliance with conditional job offer requirements, consistent with federal, state, and local laws. Supporting medical or religious documentation will be required where applicable and permitted by applicable law. To request a reasonable accommodation, please send an e-mail to recruiting-coordinator.sharedmailbox@nexteraenergy.com, providing your name, telephone number and the best time for us to reach you.

NextEra Energy will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor's legal duty to furnish information.

NextEra Energy does not accept any unsolicited resumes or referrals from any third-party recruiting firms or agencies. Please see our policy for more information.

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