Senior Instrumentation and Controls Engineer

About Net Power  

Passionate about making an impact? We are. At Net Power we are driven by our vision of empowering a clean world by globally deploying affordable and reliable zero-emissions energy. We are a well-capitalized, public clean energy technology company based in Durham, North Carolina with operations in Houston and La Porte, Texas.  

Our impact is transformational.  

Net Power technology doesn’t just reduce the world’s carbon footprint. It delivers the Energy Trifecta: Reliable, Low-Cost, Clean Energy. A winning solution for everyone.  

Job Overview

Net Power is leading the way in clean energy technology, and we are seeking a Senior Instrumentation and Controls Engineer to join our innovative team. This role is pivotal in leading Net Power's efforts to identify and develop the instrumentation strategy for our unique oxy-combustion, supercritical CO2 power cycle. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in instrumentation and controls engineering, with a focus on developing strategies for controlling our unique power generation system, while knowledgeable of emerging technologies and strategies to increase reliability, performance, and safety at our unique cycle conditions while reducing cost in line with product and customer requirements. 

This position will be based at our demonstration / test facility in La Porte, Texas.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead Net Power's efforts to identify, develop, and implement the instrumentation strategy for our oxy-combustion, supercritical CO2 power cycle, leveraging Net Power’s La Porte test facility to accelerate selections and strategies at Net Power’s first commercial project.
• Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to understand system requirements and develop instrumentation and control specifications to meet performance, safety, and regulatory standards.
• Conduct detailed analysis and evaluation of instrumentation systems, including sensors, transmitters, control valves, and data acquisition systems, to ensure compatibility with Net Power's unique technology in collaboration with Net Power process design and controls team.
• Work alongside the Net Power team to properly instrument facilities for validation, verification, performance testing, and ultimately long-term commercial operations.
• Identify long term product planning needs in line with Net Power’s multi-generational product plan and product requirements.
• Support the process and controls team to design and develop control strategies and algorithms for process control systems, ensuring efficient and reliable operation of the power cycle.
• Lead the selection, procurement, and commissioning of instrumentation and control equipment, working closely with vendors and suppliers to ensure compliance with project requirements.
• Support development and maintain instrumentation and control documentation, including P&IDs, instrument datasheets, control narratives, and system architecture diagrams.
• Conduct testing, validation, and troubleshooting of instrumentation and control systems, identifying and resolving technical issues to ensure system reliability and performance.
• Interface with regulatory agencies and third-party consultants to ensure compliance with safety, environmental, and cybersecurity regulations and standards.
• Foster a culture of safety, quality, and continuous improvement within the project team, promoting best practices, lessons learned, and knowledge sharing initiatives. 

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering or related field. Master's degree or equivalent experience is preferred.
• Minimum of 8 years of experience in instrumentation and controls engineering. Focus on power generation systems a plus.
• Extensive knowledge of instrumentation technologies, including sensors, transmitters, control valves, and data acquisition systems.
• Proven experience developing instrumentation strategies and specifications for industrial control systems, preferably in the energy or process industries.
• Strong understanding of process control principles and practices, including control system design, tuning, and optimization.
• Experience with control system software and programming languages, such as PLCs, DCS, SCADA, and MATLAB/Simulink. Emerson Ovation, Delta V, GE Mark VI, Allen-Bradly, Bently Nevada.  
• Familiarity with industry standards and regulations g