I&C Operations Engineer

Fervo is building the worlds most cost-effective repeatable geothermal power plants in the world. Joining Fervo means solving frontier engineering problems with immediate real-world impact accelerating the clean energy transition and reinventing the way infrastructure is built.

Were not just another clean energy startup were doing for geothermal what SpaceX did for rockets and the shale revolution did for oil and gas. We are seeking engineers who want to have extreme ownership over the reliability and performance of their systems knowing that every instrumentation loop control scheme and SCADA display they own directly impacts Fervos ability to generate power and scale its mission.

As I&C Operations Engineer you will serve as the technical authority for all instrumentation controls and SCADA systems at Cape Station Fervos flagship geothermal power facility in Milford UT. Reporting to the Director of Engineering you will own the day-to-day reliability and performance of Cape Stations Ignition SCADA platform Allen-Bradley PLC infrastructure field instrumentation and control system networks. This role is operational at its core: your primary job is keeping a 24/7 power generation facility running at full output through fast diagnosis continuous improvement and rigorous program ownership. You will work closely with operations maintenance and engineering teams to resolve control system issues improve automation and build the I&C foundation that enables Fervo to scale its standardized Geoblock product. This position will report to the Director of Engineering.

Responsibilities

Control System Ownership & Reliability

• Serve as the site technical authority for all I&C systems including Allen-Bradley PLCs (ControlLogix CompactLogix) Ignition SCADA field instrumentation and industrial control networks.
• Monitor control system and instrumentation performance to proactively identify reliability risks and optimization opportunities across ORC generation gathering and surface facility systems.
• Lead root cause analysis (RCA) and after-action reviews (AARs) for control system failures instrumentation faults and process upsets; develop and track corrective actions to closure.
• Work closely with maintenance to define preventive maintenance strategies for instrumentation and control system assets and to develop field procedures for calibration loop checks and device replacement.
• Maintain accurate and current I&C documentation including control system architecture drawings instrument loop diagrams I/O lists and wiring schematics; drive timely updates following any system changes.

SCADA Development & Continuous Improvement

• Own and continuously improve Cape Stations Ignition SCADA application including HMI screens tag configuration alarming historian integration and operational reporting.
• Develop and refine operational dashboards and daily reports that give operators and engineering staff clear real-time visibility into facility health and performance.
• Build and maintain KPI monitoring displays that track power output system availability and process efficiency against targets and historical baselines.
• Apply lessons learned from Cape Station operations to contribute to the evolution of Fervos standardized Geoblock SCADA architecture and shared PLC code library.

Field Instrumentation & Troubleshooting

• Troubleshoot process control instrumentation and control network issues in the field with a sense of urgency appropriate to a generating facility fast diagnosis clear communication disciplined resolution.
• Size select and specify replacement instrumentation including control valves flow meters pressure transmitters and safety valves; manage procurement and installation through maintenance and operations.
• Configure and troubleshoot industrial communication networks including Modbus TCP/IP EtherNet/IP and OPC-UA; support field device integration and network reliability.
• Support PLC programming modifications in Rockwell Studio 5000 using Fervos standard code blocks; document all changes and manage through the MOC process.

Management of Change (MOC) & Engineering Standards

• Own and manage I&C scope within the site MOC program ensuring all control system and instrumentation changes are properly evaluated documented and closed in accordance with OSHA PSM requirements.
• Review and redline P&IDs for accuracy of instrumentation depiction; coordinate with the process engineering team on instrument datasheet development and updates.
• Provide I&C technical input during equipment procurement contractor scope reviews and vendor deliverable reviews.
• Support PSSR activities for new I&C systems and modifications and contribute to HAZOP and PHA evaluations as the I&C subject matter expert.

Small Capital Project Development & Execution

• Identify scope and develop small capital I&C improvement projects from concept through commissioning and handover.
• Prepare AFEs project scopes cost estimates and schedules for management approval.
• Manage vendors contractors and internal stakeholders through project execution ensuring delivery on time and within budget.
• Apply a design philosophy of safety simplicity and rapid deployment optimizing for speed-to-power-production without sacrificing control system integrity.

OT Network & Cybersecurity

• Maintain and improve the site OT network architecture including control system network segmentation firewall configuration and secure remote access in coordination with Fervos IT/OT and cybersecurity teams.
• Ensure control system designs and modifications comply with Fervos OT cybersecurity standards and applicable NERC CIP or equivalent requirements.

Safety & Culture

• Model and reinforce a safety-first culture across all I&C engineering and field activities.
• Actively participate in safety observations incident investigations and corrective action tracking.
• Champion proactive hazard identification in control system design and field work planning.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelors degree in Electrical Engineering Chemical Engineering or related discipline from an ABET-accredited program.
• 5 years of experience in I&C engineering at operating industrial power generation or oil and gas facilities operational experience required; pure design or systems integration backgrounds without significant field exposure will not be considered.
• Hands-on experience with Allen-Bradley PLCs (ControlLogix CompactLogix) and Rockwell Studio 5000; ability to read troubleshoot and modify existing PLC logic.
• Demonstrated experience with Ignition SCADA including HMI development tag configuration alarming and historian integration.
• Working knowledge of industrial communication protocols including Modbus TCP/IP EtherNet/IP and OPC-UA.
• Experience with field instrumentation including calibration loop checks and sizing and selection of transmitters control valves and flow meters is required.
• Familiarity with PSM-covered facilities and practical knowledge of MOC programs PHAs/HAZOPs and PSSRs as they relate to I&C systems.
• Experience developing and executing small capital projects including scoping cost estimation and contractor management.
• Strong technical writing and communication skills able to produce clear engineering documents and communicate findings to operations engineering and leadership audiences.
• High ownership mindset with the ability to manage multiple workstreams independently in a fast-moving resource-constrained environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Inductive Automation Ignition certification.
• Experience with ORC systems geothermal operations or similar power generation facilities.

Location

This position may be based in Houston TX or within the Milford UT corridor (Salt Lake City to Cedar City). Cape Station is a remote industrial site that operates 24/7 to deliver firm zero-carbon energy to the grid. The I&C Operations Engineer will work a standard MondayFriday (5/2) schedule with regular travel to and presence at Cape Station. Due to the continuous and critical nature of plant control systems this role also requires availability for emergency call-outs after hours on weekends and holidays as needed.

Success Profile

• Builds clear well-organized documentation drawings and SCADA/reporting that a reviewer teammate or backup owner can follow easily.
• Owns work end-to-end including reliability safety and constructability follows corrective actions and changes through to closure and escalates blockers early.
• Communicates with clear action items deadlines and business context across operations maintenance engineering and leadership audiences.
• Uses technology automation and analytics thoughtfully while validating outputs and underlying data.
• Develops repeatable standards procedures and cross-training so the I&C program and the broader engineering organization can scale sustainably.