Senior Instrumentation & Controls Engineer

Fervo Energy

Senior Instrumentation & Controls Engineer designing and optimizing instrumentation & controls systems for geothermal power plants. Leading technical solutions and collaborating across engineering disciplines at Fervo.

Posted 5/12/2026full-timeReno • Nevada • 🇺🇸 United StatesSeniorWebsite

Tech Stack

Tools & technologies

Cyber SecurityTCP/IP

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Design control system architectures for standardized 50 MW geothermal power blocks, including development of control philosophies, cause and effect matrices, control narratives, and I/O lists
Develop and maintain Ignition SCADA applications using Perspective, including server architectures, HMI screen development, tag configuration, alarming, historian integration, and report generation for geothermal facility operations
Program Allen-Bradley PLCs (ControlLogix, CompactLogix) in Rockwell Studio 5000 using standard code blocks developed by Fervo’s controls architecture team; contribute to the maintenance and evolution of that shared library as experience grows
Produce a complete I&C drawing package including control system architecture drawings, panel designs, instrument loop diagrams, wiring diagrams, and low-voltage wiring schematics
Review Piping and Instrumentation Diagrams (P&IDs) and instrument datasheets; size and select instrumentation including control valves, flow meters, pressure transmitters, and safety valves
Design and specify control panels including enclosure layout, component selection, and low-voltage wiring; coordinate with panel fabricators through construction and factory acceptance testing
Configure and troubleshoot industrial communication networks including Modbus TCP/IP, EtherNet/IP, Profinet, and OPC-UA; support fiber optic infrastructure design and installation coordination between field devices, PLCs, and SCADA
Support greenfield construction and commissioning activities at Fervo sites, including site visits, SAT support, loop checks, and coordination with instrumentation and electrical contractors
Collaborate with process, mechanical, and electrical engineering disciplines to ensure I&C design is fully integrated across the standardized 50 MW Geoblock product; support HAZOP and PHA evaluations
Coordinate with IT/OT and cybersecurity teams to ensure control system designs meet network segmentation and secure remote access requirements
Troubleshoot process control, control network, and instrumentation problems in the field; support operations teams in identifying and resolving issues during startup and steady-state operation

Requirements

What you’ll need

Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or related degree from an ABET accredited program
9-12 years of experience in Instrumentation & Control Engineering or related role
Strong working knowledge of industry standards and regulations
Ability to lead and mentor junior staff
Advanced oral and written communication skills, and a proven ability to write clear, thorough technical reports
Knowledge and application of National Electrical Code (NEC), International Society of Automation (ISA), and other applicable industry codes and standards as they apply to control system specification and design
Understanding of various process equipment such as vessels, tanks, heat exchangers & coolers, heaters, rotating equipment (pumps and compressors), packaged equipment, valves & specialty items
General understanding of all phases of project document production and the relationship between drawings and specifications
Field experience preferred
Experience with process flow/P&ID development, control narratives, Cause & Effect charts, SIS design, instrumentation studies, valve and instrument sizing, and automation/control system architecture
Ability to assist Process/Mechanical Engineers, support field evaluations and HAZOP/PHA reviews, and contribute to procurement (specifications, bid documents, instrument/PLC I/O lists).

Benefits

Comp & perks

hybrid work flexibility
Regular in-office presence at designated office locations

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills & Tools

control system architectureIgnition SCADAAllen-Bradley PLCsRockwell Studio 5000I&C drawing packagePiping and Instrumentation Diagrams (P&IDs)industrial communication networksModbus TCP/IPEtherNet/IPOPC-UA

Soft Skills

leadershipmentoringoral communicationwritten communicationtechnical report writingcollaborationproblem-solvingfield experience

Certifications

Bachelor's Degree in Electrical EngineeringBachelor's Degree in Mechanical EngineeringBachelor's Degree in Chemical Engineering