Contract: 12 months
Schedule: 12-hour rotating shifts, 7 days on / 7 days off
Experience: 8+ years required

Position Overview

We are looking for an experienced Automation/Controls Specialist to support commissioning, startup, troubleshooting, and transition to operations for power and energy infrastructure. This person will work with PLC, DCS, SCADA, and HMI systems and serve as a technical resource during equipment energization, startup, testing, and system turnover.

Required Technical Skills

Candidates should have strong hands-on experience with:

• PLC – Programmable Logic Controllers
• DCS – Distributed Control Systems
• SCADA systems
• HMI – Human-Machine Interfaces
• Industrial automation and control systems
• Automation system configuration and troubleshooting
• Startup and shutdown logic
• Alarm management and SCADA integration
• Control system testing and validation
• Industrial communication protocols such as:
  • Modbus
  • DNP3
  • IEC 61850
• Configuration management, backups, and version control
• Automation equipment lifecycle and hardware upgrades
• Control system cybersecurity and patching

Required Experience

Candidates must have at least 8 years of progressive experience in one or more of the following:

• Power generation
• Energy infrastructure
• Industrial automation
• Automation/controls engineering
• Commissioning and startup
• Electrical/control systems
• Substations
• Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS)
• Generation facilities or other power infrastructure

Experience should include hands-on commissioning and field troubleshooting, not just design or office-based engineering.

Commissioning Experience

The ideal candidate should have experience with:

• Developing and executing commissioning plans
• Creating and executing automation test procedures
• FAT – Factory Acceptance Testing
• SAT – Site Acceptance Testing
• Systemization and system turnover
• Punch-list management and closure
• Redline drawing/document validation
• Turnover packages and commissioning documentation
• Startup and energization activities
• Troubleshooting PLC/DCS/HMI issues in the field
• Identifying system integration problems
• Corrective action plans
• Commissioning readiness reviews
• Operator training and knowledge transfer
• Documenting lessons learned for future projects

Standards & Compliance

Candidates should understand applicable industry standards and safety requirements, including:

• NFPA 70E
• IEEE standards
• NERC requirements, where applicable
• Electrical and commissioning safety practices
• Operational requirements for power/energy facilities

Safety is extremely important, particularly during energization, startup, and other high-risk commissioning activities.

Additional Responsibilities

The Technical Specialist will:

• Work closely with Engineering, Construction, Operations, and OEM teams
• Provide technical leadership during commissioning
• Identify project risks and integration issues
• Troubleshoot problems during startup and energization
• Ensure automation systems meet design and operational requirements
• Support operator training
• Prepare technical presentations and project updates
• Provide commissioning readiness reports and post-event summaries
• Help improve commissioning processes
• Evaluate automation equipment for the Approved Manufacturer List (AML)
• Support control system cybersecurity initiatives
• Assist with system patching and hardware refreshes

Education

Required:

• High School Diploma or GED
• 8+ years of relevant experience

Preferred:

• Bachelor's degree in:
  • Engineering
  • Engineering Technology
  • Electrical Engineering
  • Controls/Automation Engineering
  • Related technical field

Software & Tools

Candidates should be comfortable with:

• Microsoft Office
• Field reporting/documentation tools
• Enterprise automation/configuration management systems
• AssetCentre or similar platforms
• PLC/DCS programming and configuration tools

Physical & Work Requirements

This is a hands-on field position. Candidates must be comfortable with:

• 12-hour shifts
• 7 days on / 7 days off
• Occasional nights and holidays
• Working in extreme temperatures
• Loud industrial environments
• Confined spaces
• Working at heights
• Using ladders, scaffolding, and lifts
• Wearing required PPE
• Standing and walking for extended periods
• Climbing, bending, squatting, and kneeling
• Lifting up to 50 lbs
• Using hand tools and diagnostic equipment