Arizona Public Service generates reliable, affordable and clean energy for 2.7 million Arizonans. As the state’s largest and longest-serving energy provider, our more than 6,000 dedicated employees power our vision of creating a sustainable energy future for Arizona.
Summary
APS is seeking a Controls Engineer II / III / Senior to support our growing portfolio of utility-scale solar, Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS), and microgrid assets. This role is responsible for the design, implementation, integration, and optimization of control systems across renewable and conventional generation assets, ensuring safe, reliable, and compliant plant operation. The ideal candidate brings a strong understanding of power plant operations across generation types, combined with hands-on experience in industrial control systems, real-time automation, and plant-level control strategies. This position plays a critical role in supporting plant performance, grid compliance, and system reliability through development and maintenance of plant control logic, SCADA systems, and site-level automation.
Why APS Renewable Generation
This role offers the opportunity to work across a diverse and rapidly growing fleet of solar, BESS, and microgrid assets, directly impacting grid reliability. The Controls Engineer will be a key contributor in advancing automation, performance, and innovation across APS generation assets.
What Success Looks Like
- Control systems operate reliably and meet all grid compliance requirements
- Plant performance is optimized through effective control strategies
- Issues are diagnosed quickly with minimal operational impact
- Strong collaboration with operations, engineering, and project teams
- Continuous improvement mindset applied to fleet-wide controls standardization
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience with utility-scale solar and/or BESS control systems
- Hands-on experience with Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories (SEL) RTACs
- Experience developing or supporting Power Plant Controllers (PPCs)
- Familiarity with the Inductive Automation Ignition platform (design, scripting, or deployment)
- Knowledge of inverter controls, EMS systems, and grid interconnection requirements
- Experience supporting commissioning and field troubleshooting at generation sites
- Understanding of NERC/CIP considerations for control systems
- Familiarity with communication protocols (Modbus, DNP3, IEC 61850, etc.)
- Understanding of SCADA systems and plant-level monitoring/control architectures
Minimum Requirements
Engineer II
- A four-year Bachelors degree in an engineering discipline or related applied science discipline (see approved list) from an ABET accredited institution, an International Engineering Alliance (IEA) recognized institution or an ABET Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA)
- Plus two (2) years working experience in Engineering-related positions.
Engineer III
- A four-year Bachelors degree in an engineering discipline or related applied science discipline (see approved list) from an ABET accredited institution, an International Engineering Alliance (IEA) recognized institution or an ABET Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA)
- Plus five (5) years working experience in Engineering-related positions.
Engineer Senior
- A four-year Bachelors degree in an engineering discipline or related applied science discipline (see approved list) from an ABET accredited institution, an International Engineering Alliance (IEA) recognized institution or an ABET Mutual Recognition Agreement (MRA)
- Plus eight (8) years working experience in Engineering-related positions.
Approved degrees: Materials Science/Metallurgy, Physics, Chemistry, Nuclear, Electrical, Mechanical, Civil, Electronics, Computer Science, Environmental, Chemical, Structural. (A four-year bachelor of Engineering Technology degree is not considered an automatic equivalent for a B.S. degree in Engineering. A review of the degree program curriculum must be completed by Engineering department management.)
Major Accountabilities - Engineer II
- Analyzes and prepares a variety of data, technical reviews and evaluations, trend analyses, short to long-range technology assessments, products and services, investigations, product/specification verifications to aid decision making. May present findings to a diverse group of management, internal staff, customers, vendors, etc.
- Identifies, communicates and advocates resolution of technical concerns while adhering to sound engineering principles during evaluation / resolution of the conditions. Challenges conditions and decisions when needed to ensure plant systems, engineering designs, project controls and oversight of work has high technical quality, is cost effective, in compliance with established standards, codes and regulations, maintains future reliability, satisfies customer requirements, budget and schedules to meet or exceed all reasonable or agreed upon customer service levels.
- Interfaces with cu