The Control Systems Engineer plays a vital role in supporting the Whitetower Energy Ltd. portfolio, ensuring the reliability and efficiency of diverse power generation assets across the UK. This portfolio includes six Open Cycle Industrial Trent gas turbines located in Middlesborough, Derby, Birmingham (two units), Exeter, and Croydon, as well as a single LM6000 Open Cycle gas turbine in Dewsbury. Additionally, Peterborough hosts two GE Frame 9 Open Cycle gas turbines and five Wartsila 10MW diesel reciprocating generating units.

Opportunity Summary

The Control Systems Engineer is responsible for monitoring, maintaining, and troubleshooting control systems across the Whitetower Energy Ltd. portfolio, ensuring maximum production output and quality. This role prioritises adherence to strict safety and environmental regulations and focuses on Engine, Package, and Balance of Plant control systems. While experience with Open Cycle (OCGT) or Closed Cycle (CCGT) Gas Turbine technology is desired, applications are encouraged from Control Engineers with power industry experience and Automation, Mechatronics, or Multiskilled Maintenance Engineers looking to specialise in controls.

Extensive travel is required to support the Whitetower Energy portfolio of power plant assets, with the flexibility to work from home when not traveling to sites.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

Become the central control systems expert within the business and develop expertise in a wide range of control systems. Identify root causes of failures and work to eliminate equipment problems. Develop and maintain documentation and logs to record performance, issues, repairs, tests, and other relevant details. Analyse and interpret signals from log files to enhance equipment performance and reliability. Assist EC&I Technicians/Engineering in diagnosing and troubleshooting related issues as required. Communicate any issues or problems observed at the plant while on-site. Travel regularly across the UK and occasionally internationally as needed to support operations and provide technical expertise for the Whitetower Energy portfolio of power plant assets. Build strong working relationships with third-party control system engineering support. Complete additional tasks as requested by the EC&I Manager or other management staff. Design, implement, and modify control systems, including SCADA, DCS, PLC programming, HMI graphical updates, and control panel layouts, to improve system functionality and meet operational needs.

NAES SAFE

Safety is a core value at NAES, and as a condition of employment, all employees are expected to remain mentally alert and work safely at all times. Employees must adhere to all safety warnings and posted signs while on company property, as well as follow all NAES safety rules and procedures. Effectiveness in fulfilling these responsibilities is an integral part of each employee’s performance evaluation.

Working Relationships

The Control Systems Engineer reports to the EC&I Manager and collaborates with other Whitetower Energy personnel, particularly the EC&I and Engineering Teams, on matters related to the plant's daily operations. In the absence of the EC&I Manager, the Control Systems Engineer takes direction from the General Manager.

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions

Some work will be carried out in a power plant environment. Physical requirements include the possibility of standing for extended periods, climbing stairs and ladders, and the ability to lift up to 15 kg. Protective equipment, including hard hats, safety glasses, ear protection, and gloves, must be worn when performing certain duties.

The role requires good physical health to manage both site-based and office-based activities and includes extensive travel to support power plant assets.

Fitness For Duty

All employees will be required to participate in the Fitness for Duty Programme. This includes a post-offer physical examination, drug screening, and ongoing random drug screening during employment. There are strict smoking restrictions in and around the facility.

Work Schedule

The standard work schedule is Monday to Friday, 37 hours per week, from 08:00 to 16:00, with an early finish at 15:30 on Fridays. Overtime opportunities are available.

Compensation

Initial starting compensation will range from £52,000 to £58,000 (inclusive of shift pay) dependant on experience.

Qualifications and Experience

Strong understanding of control systems, including PLCs, HMIs, SCADA/DCS, networks, servers/drives, and data handling. Proven experience in developing designs, layouts, control panels, and wiring schematics for control system modifications. Proficient in PLC programming, including modifying and writing code for GE Fanuc Machine Edition (essential), Siemens SIMATIC S7/WinCC (essential), Allen Bradley Studio 5000, and Woodward GAP (desirable). Expertise in HMI graphical application development, including designing user interfaces and enhancing visual displays for improved user experience. Knowledge of industrial communication protocols, including serial interfaces, Profibus, Ethernet, and Modbus. Advanced diagnostic and troubleshooting skills, with a track record of resolving complex technical challenges. Basic understanding of compressible flow characteristics (natural gas, air) and experience in fault diagnostics with field equipment such as instrumentation, actuators, and motors. Knowledge and experience with a computerised maintenance management system (CMMS), in areas such as work orders, job plans, and purchasing. Excellent oral and written communication skills, strong organisational abilities, and proficiency with personal computer software. Demonstrated integrity, enthusiasm, and loyalty, with strong teamwork skills and a commitment to tasks and purposes. Must possess a valid and unrestricted driving licence, ensuring it remains in good standing at all times.

The role includes:

Private Health Care Company Pension scheme Bonus potential Holiday entitlement Sick pay

Job type – Full time, permanent

Note: You will be asked to provide right to work documents should you be selected for an interview.

NAES is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace. It is the practice of NAES to seek employees of the highest quality and to select individuals based on merit and competence, without regard to race, colour, religion, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, disability, military status, or any other basis of discrimination.