Lead Control Engineer - Oahu
hawaiianel · Honolulu, HI
- Level
- Manager
- Team
- Controls
- Industry
- Industrial
- Posted
- 8 days ago
The role in 30 seconds
A management controls role at hawaiianel (industrial) in Honolulu, HI. Plans, organizes, coordinates, mentors and trains Control Engineering section staff in delivering expert-level for control,automation and instrumentation services across all generation stations.
- Tools it names
- PLC, Automation
Read from the posting. The full description is below.
From the plant jobs report · week of November 2, 2026
Controls Engineer roles in the US: typical posted base $99k–$143k.
Median of the low and high ends of 272 live postings that list pay, out of 803 controls engineer openings in the US, read from manufacturers' own careers sites.
Hawaii plant jobs report →Pay by team and state →What moves pay →
How this role compares
Against 802 other live controls postings in the US.
- Base pay
- Not listed in this posting
- Experience asked
- Not stated
Typical $98k–$141k, from 267 postings that list pay.
Similar roles usually ask 5+ years.
Skills these teams ask for most
- ✓ Automation 73%
- ✓ PLC 67%
- Robotics 41%
- Validation (IQ/OQ/PQ) 27%
- Root cause 25%
✓ = this posting asks for it too. % = share of similar postings that mention it.
At a glance
Pulled from the posting text. If it's not listed here, the posting didn't say.
How to get in at this plant
Five moves over a week or two. The first one takes ten minutes.
- 1
Pick 2–3 people on the Controls team at hawaiianel
Engineers who joined in the last year or two reply the most. Use the team search on this page to find them.
- 2
Send a short, curious note
One real question about their work. No favors yet. Each person gets a different note, written for this role.
- 3
Turn a reply into a short call
Questions worth asking about this team:
- What does a normal week look like on your team?
- How did you land the job? What stood out in your interviews?
- 4
Apply with someone vouching for you
If the call went well, ask whether they’d pass your résumé to the hiring manager. Send your résumé link, apply that day, and let them know.
- 5
Bring proof to the interview
One page of before-and-after numbers from projects you led: scrap, OEE, cycle time, cost. Plant managers hire on results.
Full description from hawaiianelAs posted on their careers site.ShowHide
requirements
and objectives for safety, reliability, availability, and operational efficiency, while sustaining high performance and uptime.
Provides hands-on support and specialized expertise for the operation and on-going assessment, improvement and extension of the capabilities of OT required to ensure adequate support in meeting Company goals. Manages control system improvement programs to ensure that control systems are reliable, secure, and maintain data integrity.
Essential functions
- ◆Plans, organizes, coordinates, mentors and trains Control Engineering section staff in delivering expert-level for control,automation and instrumentation services across all generation stations. Expert level services include, expert level tuning, programming, maintenance, troubleshooting, testing, and enhancing power plant DCS, Programmable Logic Controllers (PLC), and instrumentation. Manage programs that support control system safety, reliability, security/integrity which may include and but not limited to hardware/software replacement and/or upgrades, network, calibration, instrumentation, and alarm management. Ensures that equipment hardware/software replacements or upgrades are designed, procured, and installed as necessary. Directs actions regarding commissioning services during upgrades and new installations.
- ◆Evaluates progress and performance of the control systems and implement actions to maintain instrument and control system/process, network reliability and security. Ensures that system maintenance needs, upgrades, enhancements, tuning efforts are identified in a timely manner and incorporated into appropriate O&M or Capital Budgets. Monitors control system performance regarding system disturbances and new/changing unit operational characteristic and initiates actions for improvements/enhancements when needed.
- ◆Maintains operating system, application software, modeling, graphic displays, application code and databases for the Distributed Control System (DCS). Provides 24x7 support to Electric System Operations personnel in the safe and timely operation of the Generation control systems. Maintains all process monitoring and control systems related to power generation. Provides technological expertise, support and maintenance of security functions and procedures regarding DCS applications. Implements measures to reduce system vulnerabilities and ensure compliance with internal standards and external regulations related to control system security and reliability. Ensures compliance with corporate security policies and documentation of exceptions.
- ◆Meets, discusses, coordinates and negotiates with parties inside and outside the Company to maintain/expedite progress on projects and programs. Serves as a technical consultant to the Division, Department, Process Area and other management in HECO, MECO, and HELCO.
- ◆Manages and administers all personnel matters of an control engineering section, including performance appraisals and interviews; recognition of employee achievements; and disciplinary actions. Ensures the safety and coordinates the training of all personnel under supervision.
- ◆Models’ behaviors consistent with Company values. Works with others to accomplish goals and objectives and maintain improvement in practices and procedures.
- ◆Promotes teamwork, reinforces and mentors subordinates in the application of improvement tools, techniques, and behaviors to expose and eliminate waste from daily work assignments.
- ◆Effectively applies the Daily Management System methods to continuously improve the safety, quality, speed, timeliness, and cost of all work processes within
Show full description ↓Show less ↑
Lead Control Engineer - Oahu Job Details | hawaiianel
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Lead Control Engineer - Oahu
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Date: Oct 27, 2026
Location
Honolulu, Hawaii (HI), US, 96840
Company
hawaiianel
We recognize our competitive advantage -- our people. We believe in our people, who share our vision of meeting the needs of our employees, customers, and communities and who carry out the continued success of the company.
Our employees are committed to the company's foundational values: integrity, excellence, teamwork, environmental stewardship, and community commitment. In turn, we invest in our employees, providing opportunities for challenge and advancement and offering a competitive compensation package.
Posting End Date: This position will remain open until filled. Early applications are highly encouraged.
Brief posting description
The P ER POWER SUPPLY CONTROLS Department of the P OPERATIONAL TECHNOLOGY Division at Hawaiian Electric Company has 1 Management vacancy available. (Role: Professional)
Job function
Provides leadership in planning, organizing, and coordinating engineering and technical activities at the OEM level to assess, enhance, secure (cyber and physical), and expand the capabilities of real‑time operational technology systems, including Distributed Control Systems (DCS). Ensures these mission‑critical systems—central to electric utility power generation—consistently meet governance
