Senior Controls Engineer

Location
Houston, Texas, United States; Miami, Florida, United States; Reston, Virginia, United States
Posted
Oct 6, 2026
Last seen
Oct 14, 2026

About the role

ON.energy is setting the standard for large load interconnection. ON’s patented AI UPS™ is a medium-voltage UPS that serves as a firewall, protecting the data center from the grid, and the grid from the data center. With multiple gigawatts currently under construction, we are enabling grid-safe data centers.

We're looking for a Senior Controls Engineer to help design, document and improve the control hardware inside the AI UPS. You'll own control panel design, I/O and controller architecture, and the documentation and validation that take a product design from the drawing board through factory testing and site commissioning. You'll work closely with power electronics, electrical, battery systems, software and project teams, and you'll be a technical voice on how our controls platform evolves.

Key Responsibilities

  • Design and develop control system hardware for the AI UPS product line, including control panels, I/O architecture, controller and HMI selection, power distribution, and interfaces to power conversion and battery systems.
  • Produce and maintain controls documentation: schematics, panel layouts, wiring diagrams, I/O lists, bills of materials, control narratives and as-built drawings.
  • Define control architecture between the product's subsystems (inverters/converters, BMS, protection relays, switchgear, auxiliary systems) and to site-level SCADA/EMS.
  • Integrate and validate industrial communication protocols (Modbus TCP/RTU, DNP3, OPC-UA, IEC 61850) between product components and customer systems.
  • Specify control-network requirements and work with IT and network teams so the product's OT network is segmented, secure and reliable.
  • Select and qualify vendors for controllers, panels and key controls components, and work with panel builders on manufacturability and quality.
  • Lead or support FAT, SAT and site commissioning; troubleshoot issues and feed lessons learned back into product design.
  • Compile technical packages for project engineering and support business development with controls architecture and technical proposals.
  • Participate in product design sprints and design reviews, and drive improvements across design, commissioning and O&M.
  • Support compliance with applicable standards (UL 508A, NFPA 70/NEC, IEC 61131, IEEE 1547, and cybersecurity frameworks such as IEC 62443).

Required Experience

  • Bachelor's degree in Electrical, Controls or Electronics Engineering, or a related field.
  • 5+ years of hands-on controls engineering experience in product development, OEM or project-based industrial settings.
  • Demonstrated experience designing control panels and control hardware, from schematic through build and test.
  • Strong working knowledge of PLCs or industrial controllers, I/O design, and HMI/SCADA integration.
  • Hands-on experience with industrial protocols (Modbus, DNP3, OPC-UA and/or IEC 61850).
  • Working understanding of OT networking: VLANs, segmentation, managed switches and firewalls.
  • Proficiency producing and reading control schematics and architecture drawings (AutoCAD Electrical, EPLAN or similar).
  • Experience supporting FAT and field commissioning.
  • Clear communication with technical and non-technical teams.
  • Willing to travel up to 20% for FAT and site commissioning.

Preferred Experience

  • Controls experience with power conversion equipment, UPS, BESS, inverters, switchgear or medium-voltage systems.
  • Mission-critical environments such as data centers, utilities or substations.
  • Experience with control panel builders or UL 508A shops.
  • Familiarity with protection relays (SEL, GE, ABB) and power-system controls.
  • Exposure to industrial cybersecurity standards (IEC 62443, NERC CIP).

For US-based roles - What you’ll get:

  • Competitive salary + annual performance-based bonus eligibility
  • Medical, dental, and vision insurance
  • 401(k) with company match
  • Paid time off and company holidays

For Mexico-based roles - What you’ll get:

  • Competitive salary + annual performance bonus eligibility
  • Christmas Bonus (Aguinaldo): 30 days
  • Major medical expenses and life insurance
  • Paid time off and holidays (per local policy)

For all roles:

  • Professional development and growth opportunities
  • Opportunity to grow with a mission-driven team shaping the future of clean energy
  • Equal Opportunity: ON.energy is committed to equal employment opportunity and to maintaining a work environment free of harassment, discrimination, or retaliation.
  • Benefits vary by role and location and are subject to change.

Agency Notice: ON.energy does not accept unsolicited resumes from staffing agencies, search firms, or third-party recruiters. Resumes submitted without a fully executed Master Services Agreement (MSA) and a written request from an authorized member of our Talent Acquisition team will be considered the property of ON.energy. No placement fees or compensation will be paid for unsolicited candidate submissions.