Controls Engineer, Distributed Control System (DCS)

La Paloma Power Facility is located approximately 40 miles west of Bakersfield in McKittrick, California, and operates as a 1,022 MW natural gas-fired combined cycle power plant. Utilizing ABB GT24 combustion turbines, ABB HRSGs, and an ABB VAX 16 steam turbine, the facility delivers efficient and reliable power generation. Its strategic location and proven technology support a dependable electricity supply while maintaining compliance with stringent environmental regulations.

Opportunity Summary

The Controls Engineer, Distributed Control System (DCS), is responsible for the maintenance, reliability, and optimization of the control and automation systems supporting the safe and efficient operation of La Paloma Power Facility. This includes the plant's DCS, turbine control systems, PLCs, industrial networks, CEMS, and related automation infrastructure.

This position provides technical leadership for control system modifications, software enhancements, cybersecurity initiatives, and system upgrades. Working closely with Operations, Maintenance, Engineering, OEM representatives, and contractors, the Controls Engineer supports safe, reliable plant operation while improving performance, compliance, and asset reliability.

Your scope of responsibility as Controls Engineer, DCS includes the following primary functions:

• Maintain, troubleshoot, program, and optimize the plant's Distributed Control System (DCS), turbine control systems, SCADA systems, PLCs, Human Machine Interfaces (HMIs), industrial networks, field instrumentation, and automation infrastructure.

• Work closely with Operations, Maintenance, Engineering, and other stakeholders to identify control system, instrumentation, communications, and hardware/software issues, develop practical solutions, and implement effective corrective actions.

• Develop, configure, program, test, and commission control logic modifications, custom software applications, software enhancements, and automation solutions to improve plant reliability, performance, and operational flexibility.

• Develop, maintain, test, and support interfaces between plant control systems, turbine controls, PLCs, historians, business systems, environmental systems, and third-party applications.

• Support the operation, maintenance, and regulatory compliance of Continuous Emissions Monitoring Systems (CEMS) and associated environmental reporting interfaces.

• Maintain and enhance operator interface graphics, alarm management systems, plant historians, data archiving systems, data logging applications, and performance monitoring tools to support plant operations and decision-making.

• Provide technical support, guidance, and training to Operations, Maintenance, and Engineering personnel regarding control system functionality, troubleshooting, system enhancements, and new applications.

• Provide technical leadership for control system upgrades, migrations, lifecycle replacement projects, and automation improvement initiatives to ensure systems remain current, reliable, and maintainable.

• Analyze plant operating data and control system performance to identify opportunities for improving efficiency, availability, reliability, heat rate, startup performance, and overall plant operation.

• Support plant cybersecurity initiatives through the management of industrial control system networks, firewalls, remote access, user access controls, backups, disaster recovery plans, and compliance with corporate and regulatory requirements.

• Review, evaluate, test, and implement OEM software updates, firmware revisions, Functional Service Instructions (FSIs), technical bulletins, and control system modifications to ensure safe and reliable operation of plant systems.

• Support planned and forced outage activities, including system testing, commissioning, troubleshooting, startup support, software validation, and post-outage verification of control system performance.

• Participate in Root Cause Analyses (RCA), event investigations, and reliability improvement initiatives, serving as the plant subject matter expert for control and automation systems.

• Develop and maintain control system documentation, engineering standards, configuration records, network drawings, operating procedures, and technical specifications while coordinating with OEMs, contractors, and service providers.

• Perform other duties and special projects as assigned to support the safe, efficient, and reliable operation of the facility.

NAES Safe

Safety is a core value at NAES, and as a condition of employment, all employees are expected to remain mentally alert and work safely at all times. Employees must also adhere to all safety warnings and posted signs while on company property. Additionally, they are required to follow all NAES safety rules and procedures. Adherence to these safety responsibilities is one of the key factors in the evaluation of each employee’s performance.

Working Relationships

The Controls Engineer, DCS reports to the Maintenance Manager and works closely with the Operations Manager, Maintenance Manager, Compliance Manager, and Administrative Supervisor to support the safe, reliable, and efficient operation of the facility. This position maintains a collaborative relationship with NAES Corporate Engineering Support Services and provides technical support to Operations and Maintenance personnel on control system and regulatory-related matters.

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions

Physical requirements include standing for extended periods of time, climbing stairs and ladders, working from elevated platforms and walkways at varying heights, and routinely lifting up to 50 pounds.

Power plant environment that may involve entering confined spaces, crawling through narrow areas, and handling hazardous materials, with exposure to fumes, extreme temperatures, and noise. Work may include high heat near equipment and varying outdoor weather conditions.

Some duties may require the use of protective equipment, which can include hard hats, safety glasses, and eye protection, air masks/respirators, ear protection, chemical suits, flame-resistant clothing (FRC), hot gloves, high-voltage protective gear, and fall protection. Fit testing for respirators may be required. Strict smoking restrictions apply in and around the facility.

Fitness for Duty

All personnel will participate in the Fitness for Duty Program, which includes a post-offer physical examination, drug screening, and post-employment random drug screening.

Work Schedule

The Controls Engineer, DCS works a standard Monday to Friday day shift schedule, ensuring consistent plant operation and support during regular business hours. This position will occasionally necessitate extended working hours and flexible shifts as needed, including weekends and holidays, in response to schedules, workload demands, and plant conditions. Periodic callouts or “On call” status may also be required.

Some travel may be involved to participate in Manager, Owner, User Group, or other offsite meetings.

Compensation

This position offers an annual base salary ranging from $140,000 to $165,000 and includes eligibility for an annual performance bonus.

Professional Expertise & Qualifications

We are seeking a Controls Engineer, DCS with a passion for excellence in plant operations and maintenance, a work history demonstrating progressively increasing responsibilities, and prior experience in a power plant environment.

• Associate's degree, technical diploma, or equivalent military training in Electrical Engineering, Electronics Engineering Technology, Instrumentation & Controls, Automation Technology, Computer Engineering, or a related technical discipline is required. A Bachelor's degree in Engineering is preferred.

• Minimum of five (5) years of experience supporting Distributed Control Systems (DCS), Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs), SCADA systems, or industrial automation systems in power generation or a comparable industrial environment.

• Demonstrated experience troubleshooting and resolving complex control system, instrumentation, communication network, hardware, software, and automation-related issues in an operating industrial facility.

• Working knowledge of DCS platforms, turbine control systems, PLCs, HMIs, industrial networks, and communication protocols such as Modbus, Ethernet/IP, OPC, and similar technologies. Experience with ABB Advant systems preferred.

• Experience developing, modifying, testing, commissioning, and supporting control logic, custom programming, software applications, interfaces, graphics, alarms, historians, and system configurations in a live operating environment.

• Strong understanding of industrial networking, cybersecurity principles, system backups, disaster recovery processes, remote access technologies, and network configuration, maintenance, and troubleshooting.

• Knowledge of power generation processes, including gas turbine, steam turbine, balance-of-plant, emissions monitoring, and auxiliary systems, with combined cycle power plant experience preferred.

• Proven ability to analyze and interpret technical and operational data, engineering drawings, and control narratives to develop practical solutions that improve plant reliability, availability, and performance.

• Strong organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills with the ability to work independently, manage priorities, adapt to changing demands, meet deadlines, and collaborate effectively across all levels of the organization.

• Must possess a valid, unrestricted U.S. driver’s license and ensure it remains in good standing at all times.

About NAES

NAES Corporation is a leading provider of operations, maintenance, and engineering services for energy facilities. We have built a reputation as a reliable partner for clients in North America and internationally, offering services across the power generation, oil and gas, and renewable energy sectors. Our growing family of companies allows us to address the entire life cycle of power generation and other industrial plants.

NAES is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace. We prioritize selecting employees based on merit and competence, seeking individuals of the highest quality, without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, disability, military status, or affiliation protected under USERRA, or any other form of discrimination prohibited by applicable local, state, and federal law.