Controls Engineer

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Job Purpose:

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.

Emphasis:  Instrumentation/Controls/Electronics (ICE)

Essential Functions:

• 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 within the ICE 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.  Assemble 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 analysis 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 within 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 for Emphasis:

ICE:

• Experience with ABB Bailey (DCS) including Harmony system hardware and 800xA HMI Graphic system.
• Experience with Programmable Logic Controllers (PLC) specifically Rockwell Automation (A-B) 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 & modifications.
• Experience with Open Platform Communications (OPC) interfaces specifically involving 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 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).

QUALIFICATION GUIDELINES

Any combination equivalent to, but not limited to, the following:

Required:

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

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:

• Thorough understanding of Power Plant processes and equipment and the interrelationships between them.
• Overall understanding of Power Plant operations and maintenance requirements.
• Thorough knoledge of operation, maintenance and control of plant systems and equipment specific to the ICE process area. (e.g. Boilers and related auxiliary equipment, Burner Management & Combustion Contrls, Turbine-Generators and related auxiliary equipment, Turbine Supervisory Instrumentation & Protection System, Balance of Plant systems and equipment, Fuel Handling Systems and equipment, Electrical systems and equipment, Instrument & Conrols 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 sysstem repairs. 
• Risk management- able to make good judgment 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 systems programs (SAP). 
• Strong written and verbal communication skills

Physical Requirements/Working Conditions:

• This position requires work in a combination of office and industrial settings.
• Must be able to wear required personal protection 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 stairways in excess of 50 feet, 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°F.

• 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.

(Management reserves the right to change, rescind, add, or delete the duties and responsibilities of positions within the job classification at any time.)

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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.