Plant Controls Systems Engineer, Solar & BESS

Portland General Electric • Portland, OR

13d • 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.
• 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.
• Cognitive: Demonstrates sound memory.
• Cognitive: Ability to process new information to be applied consistently to work tasks.
• Schedule/Attendance: Ability to adhere to pre-established schedule, including start/stop time and break/lunch schedule.
• Schedule/Attendance: Ability to work long hours.
• Schedule/Attendance: Ability to work a variable schedule.
• Schedule/Attendance: Ability to report to work and perform work during periods of severe inclement weather.
• Schedule/Attendance: Ability to consistently meet attendance standards for regular, reliable, predictable, full-time attendance.
• Physical Capabilities: Does the job require a valid driver’s license? Yes.
• Physical Capabilities: Driving/travel/commute: Frequently (at least once a week or more).
• Physical Capabilities: Driving/travel/commute: Overnight inside/outside the service territory.
• Physical Capabilities: Driving/travel/commute: Occasionally (one to two times a month or less).
• Physical Capabilities: Computer use (use computer regularly for entire work shift).
• Physical Capabilities: Lifting/pushing/pulling: Up to 50 lb.
• Physical Capabilities: Carrying: Up to 50 lb.
• Physical Capabilities: Unstable surfaces requiring balance (i.e., moving equipment, boats); check all that apply: Elevated areas (i.e., catwalks, roofs and high buildings).
• Physical Capabilities: Unstable surfaces requiring balance (i.e., moving equipment, boats); check all that apply: Confined spaces.
• Physical Capabilities: Walking distances and surfaces (long distances and over rough, uneven or rocky surfaces).
• Physical Capabilities: Stairs (over 10 steps).
• Physical Capabilities: Ladders (over 10 rungs).

Nice To Haves

• ABET-accredited engineering program or program accredited by an equivalent agency preferred.
• P2: Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam strongly preferred; may be required based upon role.

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.

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