Controls Engineer Lead

In Houston, Compass Energy Systems Ltd. is seeking a Controls Engineer Lead to direct the design, integration, and delivery of gas compression and related control systems packages. This senior role combines technical leadership with mentorship to oversee multi-project work for the North American natural gas market, ensuring all engineering packages meet rigorous industry standards. The position is onsite and requires a hands-on, collaborative engineering mindset.

Responsibilities

• Head a controls engineering team to design and engineer gas compression and power generation packages in line with company standards and project specifications
• Provide mentorship, technical guidance, and project leadership to controls engineers to secure successful outcomes
• Design electrical distribution and control systems for gas compression packages per design standards and project specs
• Oversee multiple domestic and international projects concurrently
• Support Sales and Applications teams with technical input for proposals
• Evaluate vendor quotes and drawings for compliance with job specifications
• Develop and review control system architecture and PLC/DCS sequences of operation
• Experience FAT and SAT procedures for control systems
• Participate in HAZOP reviews
• Produce and review IO lists, junction box drawings, instrumentation data sheets, and cable schedules
• Contribute to project scheduling and provide engineering progress updates
• Attend internal and customer project meetings
• Size components, select systems, and develop the bill of materials
• Specify cables, wiring, conduit, trays, and busways
• Collaborate with engineering teams to generate assembly and fabrication documentation
• Work with the team to define loading/unloading sequences
• Lead internal design reviews to ensure accuracy and standards compliance
• Identify scope changes and prepare change orders with relevant stakeholders
• Coordinate with shop staff to troubleshoot fabrication issues and ensure product quality
• Troubleshoot control panels and manage control program uploads/downloads
• Maintain accountability for engineering hours within project budgets
• Prioritize workload to meet drawing milestones
• Collaborate with Document Control and Project Manager to align final docs with client requirements
• Proactively manage project conflicts, blockers, and lessons learned
• Help develop and maintain company engineering standards and documentation
• Lead and mentor team members; assist service for commissioning and warranty support
• Assist in evaluating warranty claims

Requirements

• Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering, Instrumentation & Control Engineering, Automation Engineering or equivalent
• 5+ years designing natural gas compression packages or related gas processing equipment
• Strong electrical and electronic aptitude with a hands-on, collaborative approach
• Knowledge of CSA, UL, ETL certification requirements and area classifications (e.g., NEC, IECEX, ATEX)
• Familiarity with networking and communications standards (Ethernet/IP, MODBUS RTU/TCP/IP, DF1 USB)
• Experience configuring Centurion Plus, Dynamic Controls, PanelView, and Allen Bradley PLCs
• Analytical, results-oriented mindset with solid problem-solving skills
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office
• Commitment to quality, accuracy, and thorough documentation
• Strong verbal and written communication skills; good organizational and planning abilities

Technologies

• Centurion Plus
• Dynamic Controls
• PanelView
• Allen Bradley PLCs
• Ethernet IP
• MODBUS RTU
• MODBUS TCP/IP
• DF1 (USB)

What you will do

• Lead the design and engineering of gas compression and power generation packages in alignment with standards and project specs
• Provide technical leadership, mentorship, and project guidance to controls engineers
• Engineer electrical distribution and control systems for gas compression packages per standards
• Manage multiple domestic and international projects
• Support proposals with technical input for Sales and Applications
• Review vendor quotes and drawings for compliance to job specifications
• Develop and review control system architecture and PLC/DCS sequences of operation
• Lead FAT and SAT activities for control systems
• Participate in HAZOP reviews
• Prepare IO lists, junction box drawings, data sheets, and cable schedules
• Contribute to project scheduling and engineering updates
• Attend project meetings with internal teams and customers
• Size components, select materials, and develop BOMs
• Specify cables, wiring, conduits, trays, and busways
• Produce assembly and fabrication documentation with engineering and design teams
• Develop loading/unloading sequences with the engineering group
• Lead internal design reviews for accuracy and standards adherence
• Identify scope changes and issue change orders in collaboration with stakeholders
• Coordinate with shop staff to resolve fabrication issues and ensure quality
• Troubleshoot control panels and manage control program transfers
• Maintain budget accountability for engineering hours
• Prioritize drawing milestones and project timelines
• Work with Document Control and PM to ensure client-aligned documentation
• Proactively manage conflicts and blockers; apply lessons learned
• Aid in developing and maintaining engineering standards and related docs
• Lead and mentor the project team; assist service during commissioning and warranty
• Support warranty claim evaluations

Education, Skills and Experience

• Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering, Instrumentation & Control Engineering, Automation Engineering or equivalent
• 5+ years in engineering natural gas compression packages or gas processing equipment
• Strong electrical/electronic aptitude; collaborative, hands-on contributor
• Understanding of CSA, UL, ETL requirements and area classifications
• Familiar with networking protocols (Ethernet IP, MODBUS RTU/TCP/IP, DF1 USB)
• Proficient with Centurion Plus, Dynamic Controls, PanelView, and Allen Bradley PLCs
• Analytical, results-driven with solid problem-solving abilities
• Proficient in Microsoft Office; strong communication and organizational skills

Physical Strain

• Standard physical demands; occasional bending, squatting, climbing, stooping, twisting, and reaching
• Sitting for extended periods
• Occasional lifting up to 10 pounds
• May work at heights up to 25 feet
• Must meet OSHA regulations and wear PPE in shop environments