Plant Controls Systems Engineer, Solar & BESS

Portland General Electric Company • Portland, OR

12d • Hybrid

About The Position

PGE is rapidly expanding its renewable generation portfolio and anticipates adding approximately 1,400 MW of new solar resources by 2031. These positions will play a critical role in developing, integrating, and maintaining the plant control systems needed to support new solar and battery assets while maintaining PGE’s existing generation fleet and their connection to PGE's broader operational technology environment. This work directly supports PGE's ability to safely and reliably integrate utility-scale renewable resources while maintaining existing generation plant availability and supporting strategic capital investments. Engineers in these roles will help develop specifications, controls strategies, Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) integration, and long-term operational support for PGE’s generation assets. As PGE continues to expand its renewable portfolio, these positions offer the opportunity to develop deep expertise in emerging solar and battery plant control technologies and become key contributors to the future of grid modernization and renewable energy integration.

Requirements

• Requires a bachelor’s degree in engineering. ABET-accredited engineering program or program accredited by an equivalent agency preferred.
• P1: Typically two or fewer years in related field.
• P2: Typically two or more years in related field.
• P2: Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam strongly preferred; may be required based upon role.
• P1 Working knowledge of engineering and economic principles and concepts.
• P1 Working knowledge of other engineering disciplines and working ability to interpret engineering deliverable content as assigned.
• P1 Working knowledge and application of engineering processes and procedures.
• P1 Working industry knowledge and technology trends.
• P1 Working knowledge of company QA/QC process and procedures.
• P1 Working knowledge of construction feasibility.
• P1 Working knowledge of procurement and contract administration.
• P1 Working knowledge of process and procedures for project controls and estimates.
• P1 Plant Subfunction Working knowledge of control and instrumentation concepts, practices and procedures.
• P2 Intermediate knowledge of engineering and economic principles and concepts.
• P2 Intermediate knowledge of other engineering disciplines and intermediate ability to interpret engineering deliverable content as assigned.
• P2 Intermediate knowledge and application of engineering processes and procedures.
• P2 Intermediate industry knowledge and technology trends.
• P2 Intermediate knowledge of company QA/QC process and procedures.
• P2 Working knowledge of construction feasibility.
• P2 Working knowledge of procurement and contract administration.
• P2 Intermediate knowledge of process and procedures for project controls and estimates.
• P2 Plant Subfunction Intermediate knowledge of control and instrumentation concepts, practices and procedures.
• P1 Intermediate accuracy skills.
• P1 Basic knowledge of the utility industry.
• P1 Working organization and prioritization skills.
• P1 Working problem-solving skills.
• P1 Working decision-making skills.
• P1 Working written and oral communication skills.
• P2 Intermediate accuracy skills.
• P2 Working knowledge of the utility industry.
• P2 Intermediate organization and prioritization skills.
• P2 Intermediate problem-solving skills.
• P2 Intermediate decision-making skills.
• P2 Intermediate written and oral communication skills.
• Cognitive Level Intermediate: Consistent use of relevant principles to solve practical problems and to deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists.
• Cognitive Ability to adhere to set response times, deadlines and time-sensitive tasks
• Cognitive Ability to follow accuracy standards
• Cognitive Ability to follow through on decision-making tasks
• Cognitive Ability to interact effectively and collaboratively within a team environment
• Cognitive Ability to communicate and problem solve when under stress
• Cognitive Ability to respond and adapt to frequent change
• Cognitive Ability to accept and demonstrate self-awareness when provided constructive feedback
• Cognitive Ability to discern feedback and acknowledge ownership of areas of improvement
• Cognitive Ability to avoid future mistakes by applying reasonable skills to new but similar work situations or tasks
• Cognitive Ability to successfully collaborate with peers, managers and others within the organization
• Demonstrates sound memory
• Ability to process new information to be applied consistently to work tasks
• Ability to adhere to pre-established schedule, including start/stop time and break/lunch schedule
• Ability to work long hours
• Ability to work a variable schedule
• Ability to report to work and perform work during periods of severe inclement weather
• Ability to consistently meet attendance standards for regular, reliable, predictable, full-time attendance
• Does the job require a valid driver’s license? Yes
• Driving/travel/commute Frequently (at least once a week or more)
• Overnight inside/outside the service territory Occasionally (one to two times a month or less)
• Computer use (use computer regularly for entire work shift)
• Lifting/pushing/pulling Up to 50 lb.
• Carrying Up to 50 lb.
• Unstable surfaces requiring balance (i.e., moving equipment, boats); check all that apply: Elevated areas (i.e., catwalks, roofs and high buildings)
• Confined spaces
• Walking distances and surfaces (long distances and over rough, uneven or rocky surfaces)
• Stairs (over 10 steps)
• Ladders (over 10 rungs)

Responsibilities

• Specification and Configuration of a variety of equipment and systems including, but not limited to: Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs), Remote Terminal Units (RTU's), Gateway devices, SCADA, Distributed Control System (DCS), Energy Management System (EMS), Battery Management System (BMS), and Power Conversion Systems (PCS), Network equipment including ethernet switches, routers, etc., Human Machine Interface (HMI) programs and hardware., Modems, media converters, radios and other communication devices., Servers and other virtual machine infrastructure, Active directory domains
• Act as SCADA subject matter expert, supporting engineering reviews, system integration & commissioning, programming, troubleshooting, and more
• Develop HMI displays for Solar, Battery Storage, and other SCADA Systems.
• Troubleshoot complex SCADA, Communications, and control and logic systems in the field.
• Support a documentation system for SCADA and Automation hardware and software programs
• Provide technical support to NERC-CIP and PRC compliance activities
• Provide cost effective integration solutions for integrating devices using multiple standards and technologies.
• Investigate system construction, maintenance, and operational problems and recommend corrective action.
• Analyze causes and recommend solutions to complex but routine operational maintenance problems.
• Lead small projects or workstreams within larger projects , including maintaining and reporting on scope, schedule, and budget
• Applies engineering education and training in advancing professional knowledge of engineering processes and standards and independently applies knowledge to assignments with occasional guidance on request. (P1)
• Prepares engineering deliverables as members of engineering support/project team. Performs configuration of devices used in the control systems; helps technicians in troubleshooting problems; develops drawings for the control system and develops interface documents. Assists senior engineers in the design, installation and maintenance of generation plant control systems, instrumentation and other related equipment and machinery [e.g., programmable logic controllers (PLC), distributed control systems (DCS), interfaces to variable-speed drives and SCADA/EMS devices]. Assists in investigation and resolution of DCS network problems. (P1)
• Coordinates with other professional engineers on project team; shares information and professional opinions in executing project tasks. Provides engineering support to senior engineers with engineering and construction projects for hydro, wind and thermal plants. (P1)
• Expands professional knowledge of latest technology and processes; shares knowledge with other colleagues. Assists in providing guidance to plant technicians, draftsmen and designers on new design standards. (P1)
• Maintains currency in state-of-the-art engineering practices and independently applies professional knowledge of engineering processes and standards to assignments/projects. (P2)
• Prepares a variety of moderately complex engineering deliverables; leads smaller production teams. Provides advanced configuration and troubleshooting. Designs, installs and maintains generation plant control systems, instrumentation and other related equipment and machinery [(e.g., programmable logic controllers (PLC), distributed control systems (DCS), interfaces to variable-speed drives and SCADA/EMS devices]. Identifies and resolves routine DCS network problems following company standards and procedures. (P2)
• Assigns tasks and coordinates with other internal/external team members on assigned projects; shares information and provides professional guidance in executing project tasks. Provides complex design, construction, operation, maintenance or testing elements in support of engineering and construction needs of hydro, wind and thermal plants; contributes to capital budget and job estimates. (P2)
• Shares current knowledge of latest technology and processes; may assist with mentoring, recognition and any corrective actions required. Communicates new design standards to plant technicians, draftsmen, designers and less experienced colleagues; reviews design to ensure they meet standards and makes corrections as needed. (P2)

Benefits

• performance based incentive bonus
• total rewards package that is designed to reward your contributions to the company, and, at the same time, support your well-being and professional development, both now and into the future.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level