Controls Engineer; Power & Utilities

Controls Engineer (Power & Utilities)

Location:

Arnold AFB, Tennessee

Job Family Code: O-Engineering

Function/Branch:
Engineering / Utilities

Directorate:
Asset Management

Position Type:
Regular, Full-Time

Pay Type:

Exempt

Grade: L07 (OA0768) – L08 (OA0861)

Salary Range: L07: $78,000 - $90,000; L08: $88,000 - $110,000

Beyond New Horizons (BNH) is a fully populated joint venture of Astrion and Fluor Federal Services, Inc. formed to provide unmatched Test Operations and Sustainment services for the Arnold Engineering Development Complex. Our name honors the legacy of AEDC's Toward New Horizons founding study. BNH expands AEDC's capacity by leveraging our parent companies' expertise in military and space system testing. We deliver proven results in large‑scale program management, engineering, and construction for technically advanced, high‑hazard facilities.

We are seeking a proactive and technically skilled Controls Engineer to join our Power Control group. This role is responsible for the engineering and technical oversight of utility control and monitoring systems which are critical to the distribution of electrical power and other utilities to our test facilities. While this position involves some office work, a significant portion of the time is spent in the field and test areas requiring a proactive, hands‑on approach to problem identification, problem solving, and system commissioning.

• Serve as the engineering point of contact for utility control and monitoring systems, including PLC/DCS platforms from vendors like GE, Schneider Electric, Rockwell, and ABB.
• Manage and maintain the control systems for the electrical distribution system, water treatment plant, wastewater treatment plant, Elk River Dam, cooling water plants, and steam plant.
• Maintain and support the control systems for other critical plant utilities including the steam plant and large‑scale compressed air systems.
• Oversee utility instrumentation, including data collection from water, steam, and electric meters used for billing, and lead the implementation and optimization of a new Schneider HMI‑based meter reading and data collection system.
• Manage the lifecycle of the base‑wide Energy Monitoring and Control System (EMCS), including planning for future upgrades and ensuring the reliability of critical monitoring points.
• Provide hands‑on support for field commissioning, system testing, and troubleshooting of control systems and instrumentation.
• Interface with Air Force counterparts to ensure control systems comply with DoD network and cybersecurity directives.
• Collaborate with and provide technical guidance to Instrument Technicians and Utility Supervisors on maintenance, repairs, and system programming.
• Support capital investment projects for control systems through the entire project lifecycle, from design to final commissioning.
• It is a condition of employment to wear PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) in accordance with supervisory direction and company policy.
• Perform other duties as required.

• BS degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related technical discipline plus a minimum of 3 years of hands‑on experience with PLC, DCS, and/or SCADA systems in an industrial, utility, or manufacturing environment.
• Direct experience programming and troubleshooting systems from vendors such as Rockwell (Allen‑Bradley), Schneider Electric, GE, or ABB.
• Must be able to obtain and maintain a Department of Defense Secret level security clearance and access to the AEDC local area network.
• Due to Air Force Security requirements, U.S. Citizenship is required for employment at AEDC.

• Strong understanding of industrial communication protocols (e.g., Modbus, DNP3, Ethernet/IP).
• Proficiency in one or more IEC 61131‑3 PLC programming languages (Ladder Logic, Structured Text, Function Block Diagram).
• Experience with programming environments such as Rockwell Studio 5000, Schneider Unity Pro, or GE Proficy Machine Edition.
• Familiarity with DoD/Air Force cybersecurity requirements, such as the Risk Management Framework (RMF) or STIGs for control…