Power Plant Control Engineer

Hanwha Convergence USA; Georgetown (TX); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Hanwha Convergence USA is seeking a PPC (Power Plant Controller) engineer to design, program, and maintain control systems for renewable energy facilities, including wind, solar, and energy storage, with travel to client sites as required.

You will develop PPC systems, ensure grid code compliance (ERCOT/CAISO), tune for energy optimization, support testing and commissioning, mentor junior staff, and lead projects within budget and schedule. Requires 3+ years PPC and mandatory SEL RTAC experience.

Qualifications

• SEL RTAC experience is mandatory.
• 3+ years’ PPC experience.
• SCADA experience such as Ignition is a huge asset.
• Familiar with grid code requirements and power control.
• Experience with PSSE, DigSILENT, or MATLAB/Simulink is beneficial.
• Knowledge of NERC CIP regulatory requirements.
• Proficient in Modbus, DNP3, MQTT, OPC UA.

Responsibilities

• Develop and program PPC systems that dictate the plant's behavior at interconnection with the power grid.
• Create control strategies to meet grid code requirements of ISO regions (e.g., ERCOT/CAISO).
• Support testing, tuning, and field installation of control equipment.
• Tune PPC systems to maximize renewable energy output while maintaining grid stability.
• Provide ongoing technical support including remote troubleshooting or on-site visits.
• Work with SCADA and other control systems to collect data and visualize performance.
• Lead PPC projects from concept to FAT/SAT, commissioning, and O&M.
• Lead design changes to ensure standards compliance or continuous improvement.
• Perform PPC presentations to clients.
• Mentor and train less experienced engineers and technicians.
• Lead and manage assigned PPC projects within time and budget.
• Conduct risk analysis as required.
• Perform other duties as required.

Skills

PPC engineering

SCADA awareness

Troubleshooting

Team collaboration

Tools

RTAC (SEL)

Modbus

DNP3

MQTT

OPC UA

Job description

A PPC (Power Plant Control) engineer designs, programs, and maintains the control systems that govern renewable energy facilities, such as wind, solar, battery energy storage system, or hybrid. This is a specialized role within the field of controls engineering, focusing on optimizing energy production and ensuring grid stability and regulatory compliance. He or She also conducts applicable tests and commissioning complying with local/international codes and/or standards and may lead small to medium size projects as assigned.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Develop and program Power Plant Controller (PPC) systems that dictate the plant's behavior at the point of interconnection with the power grid.
• Create control strategies that ensure the power plant meets the specific grid code requirements of the regional transmission organization (e.g., ERCOT or CAISO in the U.S.). This includes managing voltage, frequency, and reactive power.
• Support the testing, tuning, and field installation of control equipment to ensure proper operation.
• Tune PPC systems to maximize the energy output from renewable sources and maintain grid stability.
• Provide ongoing technical support for new and existing projects, which may involve remote troubleshooting or on-site visits.
• Work with SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) and other control systems to collect data, visualize plant performance, and ensure coordinated operation.
• PPC projects execution include concept proposal, engineering work packages, construction work packages, inspection and test procedures, FAT/SAT, commissioning, and operation and maintenance.
• Identify applicable standards and collateral standards for the diverse applicable sites.
• Lead any design changes required to ensure standards compliance or continuous improvement.
• Perform PPC technical presentations to clients but not limited.
• Mentor and train the less experienced engineers and technicians.
• Lead and manage the assigned PPC projects with available resources for successful projects completion in a due date and a budget.
• Conduct/facilitate risk analysis activities as required.
• Perform other duties and/or tasks as required.

Education and/or Experience Requirements:

• SEL RTAC experience is mandatory.
• More than three (3) years’ experience in PPC.
• SCADA experience such as Ignition is considered a huge asset.
• Strong understanding of electrical power systems, grid code requirements, and power control is essential. Experience with electrical system modeling and simulation tools (like PSSE, DigSILENT, or MATLAB/Simulink) is often beneficial.
• Be familiar with NERC CIP regulatory requirements.
• Communication protocol experience required such as Modbus, DNP3, MQTT, OPC UA
• Occasional overnight phone calls or travel may be required for client meetings or site visits.
• Ability to solve problems and identify root causes as part of investigations.
• Ability to work with others in a team environment.

Physical Requirements / Work Environment:

• This position is preferred based on Georgetown, TX but remote position may be considered for strong candidates.
• Fast paced with priorities that often change to meet current priorities.
• Travel to customer sites is required, and the ability to travel internationally with a valid passport.
• Must be legally entitled to work in the USA and prepared to travel abroad.

Hanwha Convergence is proud to be an at-will Equal Opportunity Employer and prohibits discrimination against race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender perception or identity, national origin, age, marital status, pregnancy, citizenship, disability, protected veteran status and any other classification protected by applicable federal, state or local law. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.

We are committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, Hanwha Convergence will provide reasonable accommodations to all qualified individuals with disabilities to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodations.

Nothing in this statement shall imply implicitly or explicitly a guarantee of employment outside our at-will employment opportunity.

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