Senior Instrument and Controls Engineer

SMUD•Rancho Cordova, CA

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

As a community-owned utility, SMUD is committed to providing reliable, affordable, and increasingly renewable energy. Our diverse generation portfolio includes hydroelectric plants, thermal facilities, solar, wind, battery storage, and a natural gas pipeline, all working together to power our community sustainably. SMUD's Power Generation department is looking to hire a Senior Instrument and Controls Engineer. In this role, you'll play a key part in keeping our generation assets running smoothly and efficiently. You'll design, lead, and manage projects that upgrade and maintain critical instrumentation and control systems such as remote terminal units (RTUs), protective relays, programmable logic controllers (PLCs), SCADA systems, human-machine interfaces (HMIs), and control valves. You'll ensure these systems accurately monitor plant conditions, control equipment safely, and meet all safety and regulatory standards. You'll collaborate with cross-functional teams to implement system modifications, troubleshoot complex issues, and oversee testing and commissioning activities. By making certain our equipment and controls operate reliably and efficiently, you'll help reduce downtime, improve performance, and support SMUD's commitment to clean energy and environmental stewardship. If you're ready to lead and manage projects that combine advanced engineering with a meaningful impact across diverse energy resources, we invite you to apply and join SMUD's innovative team.

Requirements

BS degree from an accredited college or university majoring in mechanical or electrical engineering or related field.
Five (5) to Seven (7) years of progressively responsible relevant work experience in electrical design, construction or operation of facilities.
Plant instrumentation and controls including electronic, pneumatic, hydraulic and digital computer systems
Federal, state and local laws, codes and regulations governing engineering and operations and their impact on power generation projects
Plant systems, operating procedures, design control procedures and methods
Fundamentals and practices of human factors design criteria
Modicon, Wonderware, GE Mark VIe, AVEVA and Interlution and other control platforms for supervisory control, HMI, MES, and IIoT
Fundamentals and practices for contract management
Procedures and practices for monitoring and managing projects
Safety policies, practices and procedures relevant to the job
English grammar, punctuation and vocabulary standards
Perform PLC/WTP and WWTP software programming and other systems and software relevant to the job
Communicate effectively orally and in writing internally/externally
Interpret, clarify, understand and evaluate verbal/written information and ideas
Establish and maintain effective working relationships internally/externally
Plan, organize, prioritize and schedule projects
Monitor and manage projects and assigned project personnel and groups
Examine procedures/systems and develop/implement operational improvements
Interpret, evaluate and apply pertinent policies, procedures, regulations and requirements

Nice To Haves

Professional Engineer (PE) license in California.
Extensive experience with instrumentation and control systems utility scale power generation plants and appurtenances, including hydro, thermal, solar, wind, and battery storage.
Strong knowledge of PLC, DCS, and SCADA systems, including programming, configuration, and troubleshooting.
Hands-on experience with control panel design, relay logic, and electrical schematics.
Ability to develop and review control system specifications, commissioning plans, and testing procedures.
Familiarity with regulatory requirements and standards governing power generation and control systems.
Excellent project management skills, including scope definition, scheduling, and budgeting.
Strong problem-solving skills with the ability to diagnose and resolve complex technical issues.
Experience with RFP development, vendor coordination, and contract management for instrumentation and control projects.

Responsibilities

Serve as lead instrumentation and controls (I&C) engineer for the Power Generation department with responsibility for the design effort for major modifications to I&C aspects of SMUD’s power generation assets and related support facilities, construction and/or modification/upgrade projects.
Plan, coordinate, prioritize, monitor, guide, review and conduct work activities to meet established task objectives, goals and schedules and deadlines by: following established policies and precedents; communicating with team members and incorporating their input to processes and techniques; providing training; promoting safety and a safe work environment; assisting in evaluating work performance results; and participating as a team member in accomplishing objectives.
Identify needs and provide engineering design to modify existing systems and install new systems. Oversee or supervise coordination efforts with Supply Chain, Legal, asset managers, other required SMUD departments and vendor representatives for the procurement of equipment, parts, and services; perform preparation of bid proposals, including technical and other related bid package specifications; evaluate vendor bids and make recommendation for contract awards; provide contract administration for outsourced materials and services; develop plans for installation of this equipment or facilities by outside contractors.
Provide technical guidance to associate engineers, specialists, and technicians in the performance of technical work; guide and advise technical personnel to assure compliance with internal procedures and regulatory requirements.
Develop and provide or direct preparation of engineering plans and reports for modification and construction work for power generation projects by: developing work plans and project schedules; describing modifications and related design criteria; preparing design basis reports and safety analysis reports; documenting equipment and construction specifications; ensuring compatibility or minimizing impact of designs on existing plant equipment; overseeing preparation of engineering drawings; and providing dispositions to conformance reports. Provide expertise and written documentation associated with comprehensive design packages and engineering control to comply with SMUD requirements and governmental regulations.
Develop project controls, cost estimates and schedules for major l&C projects required for operational or regulatory compliance.
Coordinate with various departments for support in accomplishing I&C projects.
Perform interpretation, review and coordination actions to achieve conformance, audit readiness and compliance with governmental regulations by: reviewing and approving inspection data reports, drawings and drawing revisions and other documentation required to manage power generation projects; maintaining liaison with SMUD construction, quality control and quality assurance units to minimize non-conforming conditions and conflicts; and providing proper interpretation and incorporation of industry codes and standards in design-related activities. Review and approve engineering, design, and inspection documents to facilitate review and audit of power generation projects and compliance with regulatory agencies.
Assist in administering the department budget by participating in planning, monitoring and revising schedules, work plans, expenditures and assignments.
Perform other related duties as needed to include working outside of typical business hours when necessary.