Senior Hydro Controls Engineer - Hydro

Role Overview

Emerson is seeking an experienced Advanced Senior Controls Engineer – Hydro to join our Power and Water Solutions team. In this critical role, you will be part of the Hydro Controls Engineering team responsible for delivering fully engineered control system solutions for hydroelectric power plants across North America.

This team focuses on modernizing existing hydro facilities through the replacement of turbine governor systems and related control equipment. Solutions are delivered as comprehensive turnkey projects, encompassing project management, engineering design, system integration, testing, and on-site commissioning. Your work will directly support reliable, efficient, and sustainable power generation for customers across the region.

• Lead engineering efforts for retrofit and modernization projects within the North American hydroelectric power industry
• Design and develop turbine governor systems and plant control solutions for hydroelectric facilities
• Interpret customer and industry technical specifications to create mechanical, hydraulic, and electrical control system designs
• Develop and adapt control logic using Ladder Logic, Structured Text, and functional flow diagrams
• Apply electrical and hydraulic schematics to ensure accurate, safe, and effective system integration
• Configure and customize PLC and HMI software to meet project-specific operational requirements
• Support Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT) and commission control systems at customer sites
• Develop control narratives, functional descriptions, and hardware and software test procedures
• Serve as a technical subject matter expert for hydro control systems, plant operations, and customer engagement

You are a proactive problem solver who thrives in dynamic environments. You build strong relationships with customers and colleagues, fostering trust and collaboration. You stay focused on goals, adapt to challenges with a positive attitude, and consistently deliver high-quality results. You seek opportunities to innovate and improve processes, demonstrating resilience and accountability in achieving outcomes.

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in engineering or related technical field
• 7+ years of experience in controls and automation.
• Hands‑on experience with design and commissioning of control systems for hydro power plants and turbine governor systems.
• Proficiency in PLC and HMI programming/configuration (Rockwell, Siemens, Schneider) and/or DCS systems.
• Knowledge of communication networks such as Modbus, Ethernet/IP, Profinet, and DNP
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• Ability to serve as the primary technical contact for customers.
• Willingness to travel up to 30% domestically to support projects.
• Legal authorization to work in the United States without sponsorship now or in the future.

• 10+ years of experience in controls and automation engineering
• Ability to analyze and implement engineering designs for logic or digital circuitry, motor controls, instrumentation, or data acquisition systems.
• Experience with pumped storage station controls.
• Prior experience with Emerson Ovation controls systems

We recognize the importance of employee wellbeing. We prioritize providing flexible, competitive benefits plans to meet you and your family’s physical, mental, financial, and social needs. We provide a variety of medical insurance plans, with dental and vision coverage, Employee Assistance Program, 401(k), tuition reimbursement, employee resource groups, recognition, and much more. Our culture offers flexible time off plans, including paid parental leave (maternal and paternal), vacation and holiday leave.

Our compensation philosophy is simple: we pay a competitive base salary, within the local market in which we operate, and reward performance during our annual merit review process. The salary range for this role is $128,700 - $167,300 annually, plus benefits, commensurate with the skills, talent, capabilities, and experience each candidate brings to a role.

Emerson will only employ those who are legally authorized to work in the United States. This is not a position for…