Marine Electrical Controls & Automation Engineer

Locations: LA/TX/FL/CA

Position Summary

We are seeking an experienced Marine Electrical Controls & Automation Engineer to support an expanding advanced vessel new-construction program.

This hands-on role supports the design, integration, installation, commissioning, and testing of highly automated marine vessels and their machinery-control systems. The engineer will work closely with engineering, production, software, commissioning, test, and equipment-vendor teams to bring shipboard systems from design requirements through installation, integration, testing, and operation.

Ideal candidates will have strong experience with machinery controls, PLCs, automation, and electrical integration. Experience with Siemens SIMATIC PLCs and TIA Portal is highly desired.

The role requires substantial fieldwork aboard vessels under construction, including hands-on troubleshooting alongside production and commissioning teams.

Key Responsibilities

• Support the design, integration, installation, commissioning, and testing of shipboard electrical, automation, and machinery-control systems.

• Translate system requirements and operating sequences into functional control logic and PLC implementation.

• Develop, review, modify, and troubleshoot PLC logic, including ladder logic, function blocks, interlocks, permissives, alarms, shutdowns, and equipment sequencing.

• Support Siemens SIMATIC PLC and TIA Portal applications, as well as other industrial control platforms.

• Integrate PLCs, HMIs, remote I/O, instrumentation, sensors, actuators, variable frequency drives (VFDs), motor control centers (MCCs), and equipment controllers.

• Perform I/O checkout, point-to-point verification, loop checks, equipment startup, system activation, and functional testing.

• Troubleshoot electrical wiring, instrumentation, communications, PLC logic, HMI configuration, equipment controllers, and machinery interfaces.

• Support automation of shipboard systems, including pumps, valves, cooling, fuel, ventilation, hydraulics, propulsion auxiliaries, and electrical power systems.

• Troubleshoot industrial communications and networks, including Modbus TCP/RTU, EtherNet/IP, CAN bus, and similar protocols.

• Review electrical schematics, wiring diagrams, control drawings, I/O lists, operating sequences, equipment specifications, and vendor technical data.

• Work directly with electricians, production personnel, controls and software engineers, system engineers, OEM representatives, and test personnel to resolve integration issues.

• Identify the source of system discrepancies and coordinate corrective action and retesting.

• Develop, review, and execute commissioning and test procedures.

• Support dockside testing, integrated system testing, acceptance testing, and sea trials.

• Document system changes, test results, deficiencies, corrective actions, and final configurations.

• Resolve design, construction, and installation issues while minimizing disruption to production and testing schedules.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Controls Engineering, Automation Engineering, Marine Engineering, or a related discipline. Significant relevant controls and commissioning experience may be considered in lieu of specific degree requirements.

• Experience with PLC-based machinery-control or industrial automation systems.

• Hands-on electrical and controls troubleshooting experience in a marine, shipyard, industrial, offshore, manufacturing, or similar environment.

• Ability to read and interpret electrical schematics, wiring diagrams, control drawings, logic diagrams, I/O lists, and technical specifications.

• Working knowledge of PLCs, HMIs, instrumentation, VFDs, MCCs, motor controls, sensors, actuators, and industrial communication networks.

• Demonstrated ability to troubleshoot issues involving hardware, software, and control logic.

• Experience supporting system startup, integration, commissioning, or testing.

• Ability to work aboard vessels under construction and in an active production environment.

• Strong collaboration skills across engineering, software, production, electrical trades, testing, and equipment-vendor teams.

Preferred Qualifications

Experience in several of the following areas is preferred:

• Siemens SIMATIC PLCs and TIA Portal.

• Marine Machinery Control Systems (MCS).

• Vessel new construction or major modernization.

• PLC programming and troubleshooting.

• HMI development and troubleshooting.

• Machinery automation, sequencing, and motor-control integration.

• Shipboard electrical power and control systems.

• Instrumentation and I/O integration.

• Industrial and marine communication networks.

• Integrated system commissioning, dock trials, and sea trials.

• Shipboard discrepancy troubleshooting and resolution.

• Configuration management and change control.

• Autonomous, remotely operated, or highly automated marine platforms.

Work Environment

This position supports an active marine vessel design and new-construction program, with opportunities in LA/TX/FL/CA. Work includes engineering, shipyard, production, vessel commissioning, and testing activities.

Candidates should expect to spend significant time aboard vessels and alongside production and commissioning teams, particularly during system activation, integration, testing, and troubleshooting.

Some travel may be required to support equipment vendors, engineering activities, vessel testing, or other program locations.