Instrument and Controls Specialist/Engineer

Alabama Power Company; Quinton (AL); On-site; USD 60,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a skilled professional to oversee control systems in a power plant. This role involves providing technical direction, ensuring the reliability of control systems, and managing maintenance activities. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in electronics and instrumentation, coupled with excellent problem-solving and leadership skills. You will collaborate closely with operations to enhance system performance and drive improvements. Join a forward-thinking company committed to innovation and sustainability, where your expertise will contribute to delivering safe, reliable energy to millions of customers.

Benefits

Health benefits

Retirement benefits

Annual incentive awards

Competitive base salary

Qualifications

• Four-year degree or equivalent experience in electronics preferred.
• Extensive experience in control systems and electrical maintenance required.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical direction for maintenance and calibration of control systems.
• Lead design and installation of new equipment and troubleshoot existing systems.
• Manage preventive maintenance and develop functional tests for control systems.

Skills

Problem-solving skills

Leadership skills

Understanding of plant systems

Communication skills

Technical direction

Education

Four-year degree in electronics

Two-year technical certification

Associate’s degree in electronics

Tools

PLC's

DCS

ABB Controls

Job description

Plant Miller

This position is responsible for providing technical direction for the design of control systems, program configurations, installation of systems, and troubleshooting system problems on distributed/process control systems. The incumbent will be responsible for providing ongoing inspection and evaluation of control systems and for determining the appropriate direction on design and performance improvements, upgrades, and other modifications to plant instrumentation and control systems. The incumbent will work closely with the Operations Department to identify and correct shortcomings in the plant control systems. They are to be the expert on issues surrounding control systems and will represent the plant on various internal and external teams such as applicable controls user groups and at various internal and external meetings such as I&C Technical Forums.

Job Requirements (Education, Experience, Knowledge, Skills)

• Four-year degree, two-year technical certification, and/or an associate’s degree in electronics preferred or equivalent experience required.
• Extensive experience in electronics, instrumentation, program configuration, distributed/process control systems, PLC's, DCS, plant electrical maintenance, and ABB Controls is preferred.
• Ability to plan control system migrations for future needs of the plant to provide for reliable boiler controls required.
• Ability to understand plant systems and boiler controls required.
• Possession of strong problem-solving skills and the ability to make decisions with limited information required.
• Must demonstrate the ability to develop and maintain good relationships with customers and support personnel.
• Must exhibit strong leadership skills and be willing to challenge the status quo.
• Must be willing and available for call-out responsibilities on a 24-hour 365 day/year.

Job Responsibilities

• Provides technical direction for the maintenance, preventive maintenance, tuning and calibration activities necessary to ensure that control systems function properly. Maintains adequate and up to date backups of all configurations.
• Leads the design and installation of new equipment and the retrofit of existing equipment. Troubleshoots and develops solutions to repair plant instrumentation and control systems and system protection equipment.
• Performs periodic inspections of the control rooms to determine the status of equipment. Manages a preventive maintenance and calibration program for instrumentation and control systems. Develops and manages functional tests for control systems.
• Responds to after-hours, off-day and holiday call-outs for customer support and to address priority maintenance needs.
• Stays abreast of the state-of-the-art technology, electrical equipment innovations, unit operations and maintenance procedures. Directs modifications, specifications, installation, and configuration of control systems as required.
• Provides feedback to management regarding problems associated with plant and system controls. Conducts investigations to determine causes of trips and similar events and, when appropriate, develops measures to avoid reoccurrence.
• Assists in the development of plans to increase the skill levels of the craft employees. Assists in the teaching and training of those employees to ensure they reach the desired skill level.

Alabama Power provides safe, reliable, and affordable electricity to 1.5 million customers across the lower two-thirds of Alabama.

For more information, visit www.AlabamaPower.com.

Southern Company (NYSE: SO) is a leading energy provider serving 9 million residential and commercial customers across the Southeast and beyond through its family of companies. Providing clean, safe, reliable and affordable energy with excellent service is our mission. The company has electric operating companies in three states, natural gas distribution companies in four states, a competitive generation company, a leading distributed energy infrastructure company with national capabilities, a fiber optics network, and telecommunications services. Through an industry-leading commitment to innovation, resilience, and sustainability, we are taking action to meet our customers’ and communities’ needs while advancing our commitment to net zero emissions by 2050.

Southern Company invests in the well-being of its employees and their families through a comprehensive total rewards strategy that includes competitive base salary, annual incentive awards for eligible employees and health, welfare and retirement benefits designed to support physical, financial, and emotional/social well-being. This position may also be eligible for additional compensation, such as an incentive program, with the amount of any bonus/awards subject to the terms and conditions of the applicable incentive plan(s). A summary of the benefits offered for this position can be found here https://seo.nlx.org/southernco/pdf/SOCO-Benefits.pdf.

Southern Company is an equal opportunity employer where an applicant's qualifications are considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other basis prohibited by law.

Job Identification: 11046

Job Category: Power Plant Operations & Maintenance

Job Schedule: Full time

Company: Alabama Power