Chief Commissioning Engineer, Plant Automation

Chief Commissioning Engineer, Plant Automation

Chief Commissioning Engineer – Plant Automation

Wärtsilä Energy’s Construction and Commissioning Services team is seeking an experienced Chief Commissioning Engineer – Plant Automation to support the commissioning and startup of Wärtsilä power plant installations.

This is a travel‑intensive, field‑based role focused on automation testing, commissioning, and troubleshooting across customer sites, primarily in the United States with occasional international travel.

The position is home‑office based within the United States
.

• Lead and execute automation testing and commissioning activities for Wärtsilä power plant installations
• Perform troubleshooting, maintenance, and corrective actions on Wärtsilä products and systems
• Supervise installation and commissioning of plant automation and control systems
• Support warranty activities and contribute to continuous improvement of new and existing products
• Diagnose system issues, perform adjustments, and support testing activities in accordance with engineering instructions and standards
• Verify, adjust, and validate system performance to meet operational and safety requirements
• Prepare and submit internal and customer‑facing technical reports in line with Wärtsilä standards

• Work with PLC and automation platforms including Siemens TIA Portal (V13 or higher)
• Configure and troubleshoot HMI systems and industrial networks
• Work with industrial networking technologies including IP networks, ring topologies, switches, and routers
• Support server and virtualization environments, including Microsoft Hyper‑V
• Apply knowledge of industrial communication protocols such as CAN Bus, Modbus, and Profibus
• Collaborate with cross‑functional teams during commissioning and handover phases

Experience with Wärtsilä UNIC / sWOIS systems is considered a strong advantage.

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Engineering
• Minimum 10 years of hands‑on experience with Wärtsilä products, particularly power plant automation systems, HMI platforms, and industrial networks
• Expert‑level knowledge of plant automation systems, including system tuning, optimization, and commissioning
• Strong expertise in PLC programming, automation software, and industrial control systems
• Proven ability to work independently in dynamic and demanding field environments
• Proactive, analytical, and solution‑oriented mindset with a strong focus on results
• Excellent communication and technical reporting skills
• Strong team orientation with the flexibility to collaborate across global and multicultural teams
• Mandatory experience with Wärtsilä 4‑stroke engines and associated plant automation systems

Candidates for regular U.S. and Puerto Rico positions must be a U.S. citizen, national, or an alien admitted as permanent resident, refugee, asylee with valid work permit or temporary resident under 8 U.S.C. 1160(a) or 1255a(1). Individuals with temporary visas such as E, F-1, H-1, H1B, H-2, L, B, J, or TN or who need sponsorship for work authorization now or in the future, are not eligible for hire.

Individuals hired for positions that require on‑site customer interactions and/or in‑person travel may be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID‑19 or other country‑specific vaccinations, unless otherwise prohibited by law.

Wärtsilä North America values our employees. We offer a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package. Wärtsilä North America is an EOE/AA employer.

Effective January 2025, Wartsila companies in the USA have implemented a new hybrid work model. Most employees who live within 40 miles of an office will work 2 days per week in office. This model will provide our employees the flexibility of working from home, while also providing the benefits of in‑person collaboration twice a week. We will be happy to provide more information during your interview process.