Instrumentation & Control Systems Engineer

San Jose, CA

Fortera is transforming one of the world’s largest industries by reinventing how cement is made. Headquartered in Silicon Valley, Fortera has developed next-generation cement technology that delivers high performance while reducing CO₂ emissions by up to ~70%. By mineralizing CO₂ and turning it into a productive feedstock, Fortera converts emissions into a valuable building material, creating a more sustainable path for modern construction.

With our commercial ReCarb® plant operating in Redding, California, and a growing global project pipeline, Fortera is moving from first-of-a-kind deployment to scaled commercialization. Our technology is already being used in real-world infrastructure applications, bringing next-generation cement into use today while expanding toward broader adoption.

At Fortera, you’ll work alongside scientists, engineers, operators, and industry experts who are turning cutting-edge materials science into real-world impact. We’re looking for curious thinkers, builders, and problem-solvers who want to help tackle one of the biggest challenges facing our planet.

This is more than a job. It’s an opportunity to help shape the future of sustainable construction.

The Controls System Engineer will contribute to successful design and operation of control system hardware and software for all Fortera processes including mineral grinding, kiln operation/calcination, mineral dissolution, gas absorption, precipitation, solids dewatering, and drying.

This is a hands-on role requiring a driven engineer who would be versatile enough to bridge the gaps between R&D, internal core process design, and outside engineering firms or equipment suppliers.

The position is best suited for someone with an engineering degree who understands plant operations, can bridge the gap between theory and practice, enjoys the challenges of a fast-paced work environment and will be eager to use emerging technologies to tackle old and new problems.

This individual must be able to deal with the unknown challenges brought on by implementing new technology and manufacturing processes and is comfortable with not knowing all the answers but be able to make decisions and recommendations as we go.

Travel : Up to 15% travel is required.

READY TO BUILD WHAT’S NEXT?

Do you want to turn ambitious ideas into reality as part of a team that designs, buys, builds, tests, and runs its own facilities?

Do you thrive in a fast-paced environment where priorities evolve, challenges change, and you are willing to adapt, step into gaps, solve problems, and do what is needed to help the team deliver?

Do you take ownership, contribute to decisions, act with urgency, and stay accountable through to the outcome?

Do you believe in building collective strength through collaboration, sharing knowledge, supporting others, and putting the success of the team ahead of individual boundaries?

Are you motivated to work at the forefront of innovation, push what is possible, bring ideas to life, and use technology, AI, and continuous improvement to deliver better performance and results?

If this sounds like you, we’d like to hear from you.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Detailed Design/Project Execution:

• Contribute to the development of control philosophy, sequence logic, state machine, etc.
• Review the PLC code written by system integrator and third-party vendors.
• Review the HMI objects and faceplates developed by system integrator and test them extensively for bug free operation.
• Pre-deployment testing of the PLC and HMI software.
• Help with preparing project deliverables including control narrative, operation/maintenance manual, etc.
• Collaborate with process, R&D, project, and business development teams to define the I&C requirements for the project.
• Review the design documents including PFDs, P&IDs, Instrumentation list, IO list, logic diagrams, wiring diagrams, electrical schematics, control enclosure layouts, and interlock schematics.
• Review the specifications documents and datasheets. Participate in procurement activities including vendor selection and communication, vendor visits, FATs, SATs, etc.
• Communicate effectively with EPCs, suppliers and external vendors to source automation equipment, components, and systems, ensuring that specifications, timelines, and quality standards are met.
• Manage supplier relationships, conduct technical discussions and resolve any issues that may arise during procurement, testing, and integration stages.

Commissioning and Plant operation Support:

• Setup, calibrate, and troubleshoot industrial sensors and transmitters
• Support general activities of commissioning and troubleshooting for the commercial plant.
• Efficiently troubleshoot complex SCADA and controls issue using relevant tools.
• Support the project team for implementing an effective Management of Change (MoC) procedure specifically tailored to PLC and SCADA software modifications.
• Diagnosing root causes of system issues, distinguishing between mechanical, electrical, and software-related problems
• Categorize, systematize, and address gaps in automated system behavior
• Tune control gains and calibrate systems, documenting the process for future reference
• Identify and address gaps in system performance, ensuring continuous improvement through utilization of advanced control methods (MIMO, MPC, etc.)

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Minimum B.S. in Electrical, Mechanical, Chemical Engineering or relevant field.
• 5+ years engineering experience designing, scaling, building, and commissioning commercial control systems.
• Well versed in engineering design utilizing PFDs, P&IDs, and Process Hazard Analyses (PHA).
• Familiarity with one or more of the Industrial control platforms (Beckhoff, Siemens, Allen-Bradley, CODESYS); Allen-Bradley preferred.
• Familiarity with IEC 61131-3 programming languages.
• Familiarity with SCADA software (Ignition, Wonderware, FT View, etc.); Ignition preferred.
• Familiar with industrial communication protocols such as ethernet/IP, OPC, MQQT, Modbus, etc.
• Experience of code development with Python, MATLAB/Simulink, etc.
• Experience of interacting with external engineering firms, contractors, and equipment suppliers.
• Experience with process control schemes and implementation.
• Background in control systems theory.

COMPENSATION:

The compensation package for this role includes a competitive base salary commensurate with experience of $190,000 - $120,000.

Fortera is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability status or any other status protected by applicable law. Diverse candidates are encouraged to apply.

Voluntary Self-Identification

For government reporting purposes, we ask candidates to respond to the below self-identification survey.Completion of the form is entirely voluntary. Whatever your decision, it will not be considered in the hiringprocess or thereafter. Any information that you do provide will be recorded and maintained in aconfidential file.

As set forth in Fortera Corporation’s Equal Employment Opportunity policy,we do not discriminate on the basis of any protected group status under any applicable law.

If you believe you belong to any of the categories of protected veterans listed below, please indicate by making the appropriate selection.As a government contractor subject to the Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA), we request this information in order to measurethe effectiveness of the outreach and positive recruitment efforts we undertake pursuant to VEVRAA. Classification of protected categoriesis as follows:

A "disabled veteran" is one of the following: a veteran of the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service who is entitled to compensation (or who but for the receipt of military retired pay would be entitled to compensation) under laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs; or a person who was discharged or released from active duty because of a service-connected disability.

A "recently separated veteran" means any veteran during the three-year period beginning on the date of such veteran's discharge or release from active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval, or air service.

An "active duty wartime or campaign badge veteran" means a veteran who served on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service during a war, or in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge has been authorized under the laws administered by the Department of Defense.

An "Armed forces service medal veteran" means a veteran who, while serving on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service, participated in a United States military operation for which an Armed Forces service medal was awarded pursuant to Executive Order 12985.