Senior Controls Systems Consultant (Renewable Energy Compliance)

Location: Remote (Texas-based) with occasional travel to San Antonio, TX
Employment Type: Contract

Position Overview

We are seeking a Senior Controls Systems Consultant to evaluate, assess, and provide strategic recommendations for the industrial control systems supporting utility-scale renewable energy facilities. This is a consulting-focused engagement requiring a seasoned controls professional who can quickly assess an existing environment, identify technical and compliance gaps, and develop a roadmap for modernization.

This position is remote for candidates based in Texas, with occasional travel to the San Antonio area for site assessments, meetings, and collaboration with project stakeholders.

The existing control systems have evolved through multiple system integrators, OEMs, and engineering firms over several years, resulting in inconsistent standards and limited documentation. The primary objective is to evaluate the current automation architecture, identify what should be updated or reprogrammed, and provide recommendations to ensure compliance with applicable NERC and ERCOT requirements.

The ideal candidate is a senior-level controls engineer with a consulting mindset who can confidently communicate technical findings and recommendations to engineering leadership and business stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Evaluate existing industrial control systems (ICS) supporting utility-scale renewable energy facilities.
• Assess Allen-Bradley PLC-based control systems and identify opportunities for standardization and modernization.
• Review PLC programming, control philosophies, SCADA architecture, communications, and field instrumentation.
• Evaluate compliance with NERC CIP, ERCOT, and applicable industry standards.
• Identify operational, cybersecurity, documentation, and reliability gaps within the control environment.
• Develop recommendations for system upgrades, controller reprogramming, and long-term modernization.
• Present technical findings and recommendations to engineering leadership and project stakeholders.
• Collaborate with engineering teams, system integrators, and plant personnel throughout the assessment process.
• Produce technical assessment reports, documentation, and executive-level summaries.
• Provide technical guidance during future implementation efforts, as needed.

Required Qualifications

• 10+ years of industrial automation or controls engineering experience.
• Experience supporting utility-scale renewable energy or power generation facilities.
• Extensive experience with Allen-Bradley / Rockwell Automation PLCs.
• Strong knowledge of industrial control system architecture, including PLCs, SCADA, HMIs, RTUs, industrial networking, and field instrumentation.
• Experience evaluating and modernizing existing control systems.
• Working knowledge of NERC CIP and/or ERCOT compliance requirements.
• Ability to identify technical risks and develop practical remediation strategies.
• Experience presenting technical findings to engineering teams and executive stakeholders.
• Strong troubleshooting, analytical, and communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Consulting or systems integration experience.
• Experience with Independent Power Producers (IPPs).
• Utility-scale solar generation experience.
• Experience with inverter-based power generation systems.
• Experience with FactoryTalk SCADA and HMI.
• Experience with OSI PI System or other industrial historians.
• Familiarity with industrial communication protocols such as Ethernet/IP, Modbus TCP, DNP3, and OPC.
• Experience leading controls assessments, modernization initiatives, or automation architecture reviews.

Desired Background

Successful candidates will have experience in one or more of the following environments:

• Utility-scale solar or renewable energy generation
• Independent Power Producers (IPPs)
• Power utilities or transmission organizations
• Industrial automation or controls system integration firms
• Engineering consulting firms specializing in power generation or industrial controls
• Renewable energy EPC firms
• SCADA, PLC, and Industrial Control Systems (ICS) consulting

Preferred experience includes:

• Allen-Bradley / Rockwell Automation PLCs
• FactoryTalk SCADA and HMI
• Utility-scale solar facilities
• Inverter-based power generation
• Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS)
• NERC CIP and/or ERCOT compliance
• Controls system assessments, architecture, and modernization
• Client-facing consulting or technical advisory roles

Why This Opportunity?

This engagement offers the opportunity to serve as a trusted technical advisor for a growing renewable energy organization. Rather than focusing solely on day-to-day PLC programming, you will evaluate existing control systems, influence modernization strategies, improve compliance, and help shape the long-term automation roadmap for utility-scale renewable energy assets.

The ideal candidate enjoys solving complex technical challenges, working directly with customers, and delivering practical, high-value engineering recommendations.