Direct Energy

Controls Engineer

Posted on: 23 Oct 2024

Nipton, CA

Job Description

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.                                                          

Duties and 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 within their assigned process areas 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. Assemble ten-year plans and budgets for projects to establish accurate projected cash flows out into the future.
Develop strategic plans for equipment overhauls to optimize equipment life and time between overhauls. 
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 & revise station procedures & technical instructions and documentation of equipment testing and inspections.
Provide engineering, design, economic justification, and specify parts and materials for projects and modifications. Implement projects and process modifications.
Conduct or procure training as required within their process.
Interface with outside engineering 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:

Experience with Siemens and/or WDPF Digital Control Systems (DCS).
Experience with Programmable Logic Controllers (PLC).
Experience with OPC interfaces and graphic design.
Knowledgeable in process controls, control system configurations, and design within a power plant environment.
Experience managing small to large control projects, including installations, system upgrades, and maintenance.

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.
Ability to effectively supervise, train and direct others (peers, employees, contractors/vendors) in an understandable, clear and consistent manner.
Ability to read and understand technical information, prints and engineering data, interpret charts, graphs, and gauge scales. Ability to troubleshoot and repair equipment and systems.
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 spreadsheet, scheduling, equipment performance and word processing programs.
Strong written and verbal communication skills.

Working Conditions:

Normal office environment and power plant environment.

Frequent trips into the field and interaction with operations is necessary to ensure proper planning for work.
Requires operation of a motor vehicle and a valid driver’s license in state of residency.
Work overtime and non-standard working hours as required.
Requires occasional travel outside service area.

Requires wearing personal protective safety equipment (respirators, safety glasses, hard hat,   appropriate footwear, ear plugs, etc.)

May be required to work around rotating and energized equipment, hazardous materials and chemicals.
Requires operation of a personal computer and knowledge of Microsoft Work Office Suite.

Direct Energy

Houston, TX

Direct Energy is one of North America's largest retail providers of electricity, natural gas and home and business energy-related services with a history of impressive growth. Acquired by Centrica plc in 2000, Direct Energy has steadily grown to approximately 4,000 employees serving over 4 million customers in North America. We're backed by and are a wholly owned subsidiary of Centrica plc with over 25 million customer accounts mainly in the UK, Ireland and North America through strong brands such as British Gas, Direct Energy and Bord Gáis Energy. Centrica is financially strong and is traded on the London Stock Exchange under the symbol CNA.

The North American Headquarters are located in Houston, Texas, with regional offices across the U.S. and Canada, Direct Energy operates in 50 US states, the District of Columbia and eight Canadian provinces.

Direct Energy is one of the largest residential energy retailers in North America based on customer numbers.
Direct Energy Business is one of the largest commercial and industrial retail energy providers in North America, serving more than 240,000 business customers.
We provide the insights our customers need to make smarter decisions, be more efficient, reduce their energy use, and potentially save money.

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