Director, Plant Controls
New Today
RWE Clean Energy, LLC
To start as soon as possible, full time, permanent
Functional area: Engineering
Remuneration: Exempt
The Director, Plant Controls , within RWE Clean Energy ensures that control solutions for renewable energy projects for RWE and its customers are designed with the highest quality for the entire life cycle, from the development phase to operations. This position executes on the design, construction, commissioning, and administration of control systems for utility-scale plants within RWE Clean Energy.
The Director of Plant Controls Engineering at RWE Clean Energy plays a critical leadership role overseeing the development, design, configuration, commissioning and integration to operations of the plant control systems (also know as Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems) across our portfolio of renewable assets (wind, solar, battery storage). Their responsibilities span technical oversight, strategic planning, cross-functional leadership, compliance, and team development.
In this position, you will be overseeing a team of engineers involved in all the different stages of the project, starting from the design stage, then guiding the implementation phase, and supporting the on-site commissioning of the solution. You will work hand-in-hand with third-party providers and equipment manufacturers, assessing the most suitable options and overseeing the introduction of new designs into the portfolio.
The Director of Plant Controls Engineering is a key interface between Development, Construction, and Operations for new utility-scale projects.
Role Responsibilities:
Develop and oversee the implementation of the plant controls vision, strategy, and roadmap aligned with enterprise goals
Define system architecture standards and technology stack for integrating new assets
Lead and guide Plant Controls engineers to oversee the design, construction, configuration, and commissioning of systems for utility-scale renewable assets
Manage internal and third-party engineering resources to ensure systems meet performance, cybersecurity, and compliance requirements
Ensure solutions are as standardized as possible to enable centralized monitoring and remote support across a fleet of 10 GW or more
Ensure that plant control systems comply with NERC CIP, ISO, FERC, and other applicable regulatory standards
Collaborate with cybersecurity and OT teams to implement best practices, including network segmentation, access control, encryption, and incident response
Select and manage plant controls vendors, integrators, OEMs, and consultants
Build, lead, and mentor a high-performing engineering team
Promote collaboration, knowledge sharing, technical training, and career development within the team.
Foster a culture of safety, accountability, and innovation
Maintain and further develop the existing work management system (JIRA) and knowledge-sharing tools (Confluence)
Collaborate with Engineering, IT/OT, Compliance, Operations, and Finance to align system capabilities with business needs
Develop and manage the Plant Controls department budget
Forecast and allocate resources for capital projects, maintenance, upgrades, and staffing
Job Requirements and Experiences:
A Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics, Control Engineering, a similar field of engineering, or equivalent professional experience
A minimum of 10 years of professional experience in control systems and SCADA platforms (any industry); power/renewables experience is highly regarded
Experience leading teams working on complex projects
Understands networking design fundamentals, including fiber/ethernet, switch, and VLAN configuration.
Strong knowledge of industrial communication protocols (Modbus, DNP3, IEC 61850), network architecture, and real-time data systems
Experience with NERC CIP and other regulatory frameworks
Has proven expertise contributing to technical documentation, including exhibits, scope of works, functional descriptions, and plant control narratives
Structured and thorough in analyzing and documenting requirements and creating technical documentation for different stakeholders
Demonstrated experience in commissioning networking and plant controls
Experience within renewable energy or the power industry is highly regarded, but not required
Strong leadership and team-building skills
Ability to demonstrate strategic vision
Ability to learn new software programs quickly
Ability to work successfully with a team daily in a fast-paced, dynamic environment
Ability to perform multiple projects simultaneously
Ability to be discreet and maintain confidentiality
Strong interpersonal skills
Strong written and oral communication skills, including presentation skills
High attention to detail
Reports upwards on project status and progress
Works effectively with technical members of adjacent teams, seeking to understand and resolve gaps.
Effective communicator capable of working with people from different backgrounds.
High attention to detail
Excellent interpersonal skills, energetic, and a self-starter
Proactive in resolving issues
Effectively uses team collaboration tools and software
Must be open to collaboration and working in a team environment
Clear passion and motivation to work in the renewables industry
Work Environment:
This position is an office-based role with some travel and visits to other RWECE offices and field locations. The employee must be able to sit, walk, or stand for long durations of time.
Pay range: The annual base salary range for this position in Illinois $176,000 - $220,000. The listed salary range represents our good faith estimate for this position and represents the range for new hire salaries across all U.S locations. Please note that the salary information is a general guideline only. RWE considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate’s education & work experience, training & certifications, and key skills as well as market and business considerations at the time of the offer.
Benefits offered: Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, Short-Term Disability, Long-Term Disability, 401(k) match, Flexible Spending Accounts, EAP, Education Assistance, Parental Leave, Paid time off, and Holidays. Eligible employees also participate in short-term incentives, in addition to salary.
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- Location:
- Chicago
- Job Type:
- FullTime