Project Engineer - Control & Power Systems

Position Overview

Our client is seeking a Project Engineer - Control & Power Systems to support the engineering, execution, and commissioning of control and electrical systems used in power generation applications. Based onsite in Orlando, this position will take technical ownership of assigned projects from proposal development and system design through fabrication, testing, field commissioning, and closeout. Responsibilities span turbine and generator controls, excitation and protection systems, industrial automation, electrical design, project estimating, budget and schedule management, and coordination with customers, vendors, engineering teams, and field personnel.

The ideal candidate brings at least five years of experience across industrial controls, electrical power systems, turbine controls, or related engineering environments, with power generation and gas turbine experience strongly preferred. A strong electrical engineering foundation, hands-on controls capability, and the ability to move comfortably between detailed engineering, project execution, customer interaction, and field commissioning will be important. This role is particularly well suited for an engineer who wants broad technical ownership rather than being limited to a narrow engineering discipline.

Why Join Our Client?

Our client is an established provider of engineering and technical services supporting power generation and energy infrastructure customers. The company delivers engineered control systems, modernization projects, commissioning services, electrical and automation solutions, and technical support for complex rotating equipment and associated plant systems. Its project-driven environment gives engineers exposure to both legacy and modern control technologies across a diverse range of applications.

This position offers substantial involvement across the full lifecycle of technically complex projects, including engineering, estimating, controls development, system integration, testing, commissioning, and direct customer support. Engineers have the opportunity to solve practical field problems, work directly with customers and technical stakeholders, and develop broader expertise across turbine controls, generator systems, industrial automation, and electrical power systems rather than remaining confined to a single technical specialty.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead controls and electrical engineering activities for assigned power generation projects from proposal and design through testing, commissioning, startup, and closeout.
• Design and develop turbine, generator, excitation, auxiliary control, and electrical systems, including schematics, one-line and three-line diagrams, control narratives, wiring documentation, electrical layouts, panel designs, and related engineering deliverables.
• Configure, program, test, troubleshoot, and commission PLC, HMI, turbine control, generator control, excitation, instrumentation, and associated automation systems.
• Develop project estimates, material take-offs, bills of material, procurement documentation, budgets, and technical proposals while monitoring project costs, schedules, forecasts, and technical deliverables.
• Coordinate engineering, procurement, fabrication, testing, vendors, field personnel, and customer stakeholders to maintain project requirements and resolve technical issues affecting scope, schedule, quality, or cost.
• Execute and support control system upgrades and modernization projects, including factory and site acceptance testing, system validation, field troubleshooting, and startup activities.
• Provide technical leadership during installation, commissioning, outages, and customer site activities, including troubleshooting control systems, electrical equipment, instrumentation, excitation systems, and auxiliary equipment.
• Serve as a technical point of contact for customers while supporting proposal development, technical consultation, project status communication, risk identification, and engineering recommendations.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or a closely related engineering discipline.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience involving industrial controls, electrical power systems, turbine controls, power generation systems, or comparable engineering applications.
• Hands-on experience with industrial automation and control systems, including PLC programming, HMI applications, control system configuration, testing, diagnostics, and troubleshooting.
• Working knowledge of electrical engineering and design principles involving power distribution, industrial control panels, instrumentation, MCCs, VFDs, electrical schematics, and P&IDs.
• Demonstrated project engineering capabilities involving technical proposals, estimating, budgets, schedules, procurement, engineering deliverables, and coordination of multidisciplinary project activities.
• Ability to support field installation, commissioning, startup, troubleshooting, and acceptance testing while communicating effectively with customers, vendors, engineers, and field personnel.
• Working knowledge of applicable industrial electrical, controls, and safety standards used in engineered power and automation systems.
• Ability to travel approximately 20-30% to domestic and international customer and project sites.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with gas turbines, generators, power plants, or related power generation equipment and control systems.
• Experience with OEM or aftermarket turbine control platforms, including legacy and modern control system technologies.
• Experience with generator excitation, protection, and control systems.
• Proficiency with Allen-Bradley ControlLogix, industrial HMI platforms, industrial networking, and communications systems.
• Experience with electrical design software, control panel design and fabrication, low-voltage power distribution, instrumentation, MCCs, and variable frequency drives.
• Familiarity with industrial networking and cybersecurity concepts, including routing, switching, network addressing, virtualization, network diagnostics, and secure industrial communications.

About J.Riley Recruitment

J.Riley Recruitment is THE Veteran-Owned Professional Search Firm connecting Military Veterans and Top Professionals with the Best Companies. Since our founding in 2020, J.Riley Recruitment has leveraged our extensive Talent Acquisition expertise to deliver exceptional results. Our network extends coast to coast, empowering organizations nationwide to overcome challenges and achieve success.

Built on a foundation of integrity, discipline, and precision, we bring the same operational excellence and adaptability to recruitment that defines top-tier organizations. By understanding our clients' unique challenges and aligning with their goals, we deliver high-performing talent that drives long-term success.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Our client is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to creating an inclusive workplace where all employees are valued and respected. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic under applicable law.

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