What are the responsibilities and job description for the Commissioning Control Engineer position at Alava Consulting?
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Alava Consulting's client is looking for a Sr. Commissioning Controls Engineer.
Bachelor’s in Electrical, controls or Engineering technology (or relevant controls commissioning experience) with 17 years power-generation/industrial experience, including 10 years leading Control System commissioning on Thermal Cycle processes (simple-cycle/CCGT preferred). In lieu of a degree, extensive experience (15 year’s experience) in Process control systems in Combined Cycle Gas Turbines will be considered.
- 20 years in power/industrial controls with 15 years commissioning/start-up experience on rotating equipment or turbine/large compressor systems (simple-cycle/CCGT preferred).
- Controls platforms: Strong capability with DCS/PLC-based control systems and package control integration; proficient with logic, sequencing, permissives, alarm/trip design intent, and HMI configuration.
- I&C commissioning: Demonstrated leadership in loop checks, I/O checkout, instrument calibration verification, cause-and-effect testing, and commissioning documentation/test packs.
- Industrial networks & protocols, Hands-on knowledge of control networks and common protocols (Modbus TCP/RTU, OPC, Ethernet/IP, ProfNet/Profibus, serial links), time sync, and basic cybersecurity segmentation/remote access concepts.
- Safety & leadership: Strong PTW/LOTO/SIMOPS discipline; capable field leader who can direct technicians/contractors, manage punch list, and drive issues to closure under start-up pressure.
Develop and own the Controls/I&C commissioning plan and deliverables (procedures, check sheets, test packs, turnover dossier).
- Lead I/O checkout and loop verification (instrument calibration verification, loop checks, point-to-point, device validation).
- Validate permissives, interlocks, sequences, alarms, and trips (including shutdown logic and E-stop chain interfaces).
- Coordinate and execute cause-and-effect testing for critical protections (fire/gas inputs, shutdown actions, alarms, inhibit philosophy as defined).
- Manage controls configuration/change control (backups, versioning, parameter control, “as-left” baseline documentation).
- Coordinate control system readiness for energization and start-up windows and support integrated testing with Electrical, Mechanical, and Commissioning leads.
- Troubleshoot commissioning/start-up issues (logic errors, bad signals, comms drops, scaling, nuisance trips) and direct corrective actions re-test.
- Deliver operator readiness support (HMI/graphics, alarm response guidance, trends, operating procedures inputs) and hand over the final controls package.
- Provide Technical Instruction to field labor and customers on-site
- Manage the Safety policies to the onsite personnel with direction to additional Sub-Contractors as required by and OSHA Compliance
- Perform job duties and work ethic in a professional manner that is conducive with industry renowned experts in their respective fields.
Partner with to stand up and commission the controls architecture: bring the control system online, configure network/switch settings as required, verify controller “drops”/remote I/O racks, and troubleshoot communications between controllers, PLCs, drives, and field devices (e.g., Modbus, Ethernet/IP, Profinet/Profibus), documenting resolutions and the final “as-left” configuration.
- Build/verify the I/O list and signal mapping (device tags, scaling, ranges, fail states) and reconcile to P&IDs, wiring drawings, and the controls database.
- Lead execution of loop checks and functional point testing (valve stroke tests, actuator direction, limit switches, analog validation, failsafe behavior).
- Execute sequence “dry runs” and permissive validation (start/stop sequences, auxiliary auto-starts, permissive matrices, reset logic).
- Perform and document trip and cause-and-effect testing for critical shutdowns/alarms (simulate inputs, verify outputs/actions, confirm annunciation).
- Configure/validate HMI graphics, alarm setpoints, alarm priorities, and required trends for commissioning and operator use.
- Validate communications and data pathways (protocol links, time sync, historian points if applicable) and resolve comms-related faults.
- Maintain controls backups and ‘as-left’ configuration baselines, compile test evidence, and deliver