Chief Commissioning Engineer, Plant Automation

Wärtsilä

$125K — $150K *
Energy & Utilities
8 - 10 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's or Master's degree in Engineering
  • 10+ years of hands-on experience with Wärtsilä products
  • Expert-level knowledge of plant automation systems
  • Strong expertise in PLC programming and industrial control systems
  • Proven ability to work independently in demanding field environments
  • Excellent communication and technical reporting skills
  • Mandatory experience with Wärtsilä 4-stroke engines

Responsibilities

  • Lead automation testing and commissioning activities for power plant installations
  • Troubleshoot and maintain Wärtsilä products and systems
  • Supervise installation and commissioning of automation and control systems
  • Support warranty activities and product improvement
  • Diagnose system issues and conduct testing per engineering standards
  • Verify and validate system performance for operational safety
  • Prepare technical reports for internal and customer use

Benefits

  • Comprehensive benefits package
  • Hybrid work model allowing flexibility between home and office
  • Travel opportunities domestically and internationally
  • Support for continuous professional development
  • Collaboration with global and multicultural teams
Full Job Description
Chief Commissioning Engineer - Plant Automation Wärtsilä Energy | Construction & Commissioning Services Position Overview Wärtsilä Energy's Construction and Commissioning Services team is seeking an experienced Chief Commissioning Engineer - Plant Automation to support the commissioning and startup of Wärtsilä power plant installations. This is a travel-intensive, field-based role focused on automation testing, commissioning, and troubleshooting across customer sites, primarily in the United States with occasional international travel. The position is home-office based within the United States. Key Responsibilities Plant Automation & Commissioning • Lead and execute automation testing and commissioning activities for Wärtsilä power plant installations • Perform troubleshooting, maintenance, and corrective actions on Wärtsilä products and systems • Supervise installation and commissioning of plant automation and control systems • Support warranty activities and contribute to continuous improvement of new and existing products • Diagnose system issues, perform adjustments, and support testing activities in accordance with engineering instructions and standards • Verify, adjust, and validate system performance to meet operational and safety requirements • Prepare and submit internal and customer-facing technical reports in line with Wärtsilä standards Control Systems Engineering (Electrical & Automation) • Work with PLC and automation platforms including: • Siemens Step 7 • Siemens TIA Portal (V13 or higher) • Modicon Unity • Configure and troubleshoot HMI systems and industrial networks • Work with industrial networking technologies including IP networks, ring topologies, switches, and routers • Support server and virtualization environments, including Microsoft Hyper-V • Apply knowledge of industrial communication protocols such as CAN Bus, Modbus, and Profibus • Collaborate with cross-functional teams during commissioning and handover phases Experience with Wärtsilä UNIC / sWOIS systems is considered a strong advantage. Required Qualifications • Bachelor's or Master's degree in Engineering • Minimum 10 years of hands-on experience with Wärtsilä products, particularly power plant automation systems, HMI platforms, and industrial networks • Expert-level knowledge of plant automation systems, including system tuning, optimization, and commissioning • Strong expertise in PLC programming, automation software, and industrial control systems • Proven ability to work independently in dynamic and demanding field environments • Proactive, analytical, and solution-oriented mindset with a strong focus on results • Excellent communication and technical reporting skills • Strong team orientation with the flexibility to collaborate across global and multicultural teams • Mandatory experience with Wärtsilä 4-stroke engines and associated plant automation systems Last application date: 10/09/2026 Candidates for regular U.S and Puerto Rico positions must be a U.S. citizen, national, or an alien admitted as permanent resident, refugee, asylee with valid work permit or temporary resident under 8 U.S.C. 1160(a) or 1255a(1). Individuals with temporary visas such as E, F-1, H-1, H1B, H-2, L, B, J, or TN or who need sponsorship for work authorization now or in the future, are not eligible for hire. Individuals hired for positions that require on-site customer interactions and/or in-person travel may be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 or other country-specific vaccinations, unless otherwise prohibited by law. Wärtsilä North America values our employees. We offer a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package. Effective January 2025, Wartsila companies in the USA have implemented a new hybrid work model. Most employees who live within 40 miles of an office will work 2 days per week in office. This model will provide our employees the flexibility of working from home, while also providing the benefits of in-person collaboration twice a week. We will be happy to provide more information during your interview process. Please note that according to Wärtsilä policy, voluntary consent for a security check may be required from candidates being considered for this position, depending on the applicable country.

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