Controls Engineer

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Job Summary:

Provide support for process improvements, performance monitoring, root cause analysis, engineering and construction activities, and operating and maintenance functions to ensure safe and efficient plant operation.

Essential Duties/Responsibilities:

• Provide direction to operations and maintenance departments to ensure that plant equipment remains reliable.  This includes both technical and financial decisions which impact the overall unit availability and cost control.
• Provide technical support, testing, and inspection expertise withing the IC&E process area to ensure safe, reliable, and efficient plant operation.
• Optimize station equipment operation to meet key performance indicators.
• Develop O&M and Capital budgets for the process equipment to support the Business Plan Process.  Assembel budgets for projects to establish accurate projected cash flows out into the future.
• Develop strategic plans for equipment replacement to optimize equipment life and reduce maintenance cost
• Develop outage schedules, coordinate, and perform outage inspections for all process equipment.
• Utilize predictive and preventative maintenance (PM/PDM) techniques to monitor and improve equipment.  Evaluate and analyze process variables to identify status and trending of key operating parameters.
• Conduct root cause analyses of equipment problems and provide recommendations to prevent future incidents.  Assemble all equipment failure reports.
• Develop, review, and revise station procedures, technical instructions, and documentation of equipment testing and inspections.
• Provide engineering, design, economic justification, and parts and materials specifications for projects and process modifications.  Implement those projects and process modifications.
• Conduct or procure training as required withing the ICE process.
• Interface with outside engineering and vendor resources on an “as-needed” basis.
• Work effectively in a team environment as a leader, member, and/or facilitator.
• Perform other duties and assignments as required.

Essential Functions/Experience:

• Experience with ABB Bailey (DCS) including Harmony system hardware and 800xA HMI Graphic System.
• Experience with Programmable Logic Controllers (PLC) specifically Rockwell Automation (Allen Bradley) systems:  ControlLogix, MicroLogix, PLC-5 & SLC500.
• Experience with ABB Bailey DCS logic programming using Symphony Plus Engineering and 800xA graphic editor PG2.
• Experience with Rockwell Automation RSLogix software for PLC programming and FactoryTalk View Studio for HMI graphic design and modifications.
• Experience with Open Platform Communications (OPC) interfaces specifically OSIsoft PI historian including database management and process display development.  Familiarity with Kepware is helpful.
• Knowledgeable in process controls, control system configurations and design within a fossil-fuel generating plant environment.
• Experience managing and maintaining small to large control system projects and upgrades, including installation, implementation, commissioning, documentation and maintenance support.
• Familiarity with MH Netmation and Yokogawa Exaquantum DCS Logic.
• Experience with Studio 5000 Professional.
• Familiarity with computer client workstations, and servers involving hardware and Microsoft OS such as Windows 10 & Server 2016 is helpful. Also helpful is a working knowledge of ethernet networking involving hardware such as ethernet switches, media converters, and cabling (Cat5 & Fiber)

Minimum Requirements:

Engineering or Technical Degree with a minimum of five years of experience in technical support of power plant processes.  Extensive work-related experience may be substituted for Engineering or Technical Degree.

Preferred Qualifications:

Combustion Tuning & Mapping experience on Natural Gas Combustion Turbines, particularly Aeroderivative CT’s (GE, Pratt & Whitney, etc.).  Experience with tuning on LM6000 PD Units is highly desirable.

Additional Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Thorough understanding of Power Plant processes and equipment and the interrelationships between them.
• Overall understanding of Power Plant operations and maintenance requirements.
• Thorough knowledge of operation, maintenance and control of plant systems and equipment specific to ICE process area (e.g. Boilers and related auxiliary equipment, Burner Management & Combustion Controls, Turbine-Generators and related auxiliary equipment, Turbine Supervisory Instrumentation & Protection System, Balance of Plant systems & equipment, Fuel Handling Systems and equipment, Electrical systems and equipment, Instrument & Controls systems, Plant Chemistry control and Water treatment Systems)
• Ability to effectively supervise, train and direct others (peers, employees, contractors/vendors) in an understandable, concise, and consistent manner.
• Ability to read and understand technical information including vendor manuals, engineering data, electrical prints including wiring diagrams and schematics, and Piping & Instrumentation diagrams (P&IDs).  Ability to interpret charts, graphs, and gauge scales.  Ability to troubleshoot and assist maintenance with equipment and system repairs.
• Risk management- able to make good judgments on utilization of sometimes limited resources.
• General to thorough knowledge in root cause analysis and proficient in technical report writing.
• Proficient in the use of PC, and Windows & Microsoft office applications with particular emphasis on spreadsheets, scheduling, equipment performance, word processing programs, and work management system programs (SAP).
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

Physical Requirements (Demand and Frequency):

• This position requires work in a combination of office and industrial settings.
• Must be able to wear required personal protective equipment (PPE) such as hard hats, safety glasses, goggles, face shields, hearing protection, respirators, fall protection harnesses, and other PPE as required.
• Duties require extensive manual dexterity in usage of computer terminals and keyboards, while sitting for long periods of time developing, reviewing, modifying DCS & PLC logic and associated HMI graphics; preparing budgets, work scopes, outage schedules, and other reports as needed.
• May be required to perform equipment inspections by climbing vertical ladders in excess of 20 feet and starways in excess of 50 fee, using step stool, kneeling, bending, walking over uneven surfaces such as loose rock, open grating, up and down staircases.
• The compartments where certain equipment may be located may exceed temperatures of 130 degrees Fahrenheit.
• May be required to prepare and conduct training, including mentoring individuals one-on-one.  In conducting training, the engineer may be required to carry training materials, and to stand for extended periods of time.
• This position may require some domestic travel.

Please Note:  Salary offered will be commensurate with the successful candidate’s education and/or experience and consistent with the job location’s market pay rate.

NRG Energy is committed to a drug and alcohol-free workplace. To the extent permitted by law and any applicable collective bargaining agreement, employees are subject to periodic random drug testing, and post-accident and reasonable suspicion drug and alcohol testing. EOE AA M/F/Vet/Disability. Level, Title and/or Salary may be adjusted based on the applicant's experience or skills.

Official description on file with Talent.