Princeton University · 1 day ago
Energy Plant Controls Engineer
Princeton, NJ
Full-time
Onsite
Senior Level
$140K/yr - $150K/yr
5+ years expPrinceton University is seeking an Energy Plant Controls Engineer to join their Facilities Operations Engineering team. The role involves supporting automated control systems for various energy plants, ensuring efficient operations, and implementing process improvements while providing technical expertise in control systems.
AlumniEducationHigher EducationUniversities
Hiring Manager
Sanya Boyd, PHR, SHRM-CP
Responsibilities
Supports the university's energy plants, including cogeneration, chiller, and geo-exchange facilities, ensuring safe, compliant, reliable, and efficient operations. Responsibilities include supporting operations by identifying, troubleshooting, and resolving issues in and around the control system, providing training on new and updated systems
Promotes team cohesion by collaborating with operators and plant management to identify areas for process or automation improvement and developing or overseeing implementation of improvements
Ensures the reliability of plant operations by managing and maintaining backups of all applications and configurations necessary for disaster recovery
Acts as the University representative for testing and acceptance of control systems
Plays a supporting role in the development, implementation, and execution of the university's strategy for eliminating fossil fuel usage, carbon emissions, and reducing energy cost, which includes ongoing implementation of geo-exchange heat pumps and conversion from steam to hot water
Manages and coordinates access to energy plant data needed to support continued monitoring, tracking, and reporting on energy production and efficiency
Requires active participation with the Facilities Operation team to foster communication and collaboration, including assisting and/or advising Facilities Operation team members on automation projects outside of the plant environment
Stays updated on industry best practices and trends in control hardware, software, instrumentation, and cyber security, engaging with trade associations and attending conferences to monitor developments
Qualification
Required
Either Associate's degree in engineering (Mechanical or Electrical), Electronics, or related field and 5 years progressive experience, or 8 years progressive experience in the design and or support of energy plant controls and operation (boilers, chillers, cooling towers, and common plant components)
Demonstrated success in a team environment with proven skills to effectively engage, advocate for, and motivate a diverse workforce
Posses thorough understanding of utility plant operation and the skills to analyze alarm logs and operational data
Strong ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing
Ability to successfully manage multiple tasks at once and determine appropriate priorities
Ability to read, interpret, and understand construction documents, product specifications, sequences of operation, control drawings, and other technical data
Proficient in the use of business application software
Troubleshooting of control systems, low voltage wiring, pneumatics, and electro-mechanical devices
Highly proficient in Rockwell Logix 5000 controller programming, including redundancy
Highly proficient in Ethernet IP, Modbus, and ControlNet communication
Highly proficient in WonderWare System Platform operation, configuration, and administration
Proficient in Windows, Linux operating systems administration
Support and maintain high availability/redundant networks and hardware
Able to respond to emergencies anytime during the day, night, or weekends as needed
Preferred
Either Bachelor's degree in engineering (Mechanical or Electrical), Physics, or related field and 5 years progressive experience or 10 years progressive experience in the design and or support of energy plant controls and operation (boilers, chillers, cooling towers, and common plant components)
Proficient in managing Firewall/Cybersecurity hardware, software, and current best practices
Proficient in managing, maintaining, and deploying Virtualized operating systems
Experience with industrial-scale heat pumps, thermal storage, diesel generators, megawatt-scale batteries, and geo-exchange technologies
Prior experience in a higher education residential campus setting
Certified Energy Manager, ISA, or other relevant accreditations
Benefits
The University also offers a comprehensive benefit program to eligible employees.
Company
Princeton University
Princeton University is a private Ivy League university that offers a variety of master’s degrees and Ph. D.s.
5001-10000 employees
H1B Sponsorship
Princeton University has a track record of offering H1B sponsorships. Please note that this does not
guarantee sponsorship for this specific role. Below presents additional info for your
reference. (Data Powered by US Department of Labor)
Distribution of Different Job Fields Receiving Sponsorship
Represents job field similar to this job
Trends of Total Sponsorships
2025 (301)
2024 (220)
2023 (218)
2022 (172)
2021 (207)
2020 (193)
Funding
Current Stage
Late StageTotal Funding
$11.44MKey Investors
US Department of EnergyAlfred P. Sloan FoundationNational Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases
2024-06-06Grant· $2M
2023-08-14Grant
2022-02-15Grant· $5.5M
Leadership Team
Amy Robinson Sterling
Executive Director, Eyewire
Anne-Marie Maman
Founding Director - Princeton Entrepreneurship Council
Recent News
2025-12-28
2025-12-22
Crunchbase News
2025-12-16
Company data provided by crunchbase