I&C Operations Engineer in Houston, Texas at Fervo Energy Company

Fervo is building the world's 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.

We're not just another clean energy startup — we're 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 Fervo's 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 — Fervo's 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 Station's 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 Station's 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 Fervo's 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 Fervo's 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 Fervo's IT/OT and cybersecurity teams.
• Ensure control system designs and modifications comply with Fervo's 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

• Bachelor's 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 Monday–Friday (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.