Principal Plant Controls Engineer - DCS & Projects Lead

MidAmerican Energy Company; Des Moines (IA); On-site; Full time

Job description

Plant Technical Specialist / Sr Plant Technical Specialist / Principal Plant Technical Specialist

Location: Des Moines, IA, United States

Description: The senior plant technical specialist provides technical work and directs others in technical work in the planning, designing, procurement, and construction of additions, changes, or maintenance to MidAmerican Energy Company's Combustion Turbine facilities (CT). Perform complex, large‑scale DCS projects to improve plant performance and reliability. Participate in the direction of work and provide assistance to the personnel listed below.

Responsibilities

• Perform tuning of complex DCS systems to improve efficiency and other plant performance parameters and positively affect availability and/or reliability beyond the level expected from a plant technical specialist position. (30%)
• Provide advanced technical support for control system administrative functions including patches, upgrades, and troubleshooting. (30%)
• Provide technical services for the planning, design, and construction of project additions or maintenance to MidAmerican Energy Company's combustions turbine (CT) systems. Lead large‑scale DCS projects from beginning to end with minimal assistance from the engineering department. (15%)
• Provide advanced technical support for remote equipment monitoring and data collection, e.g., PI system. (10%)
• Assist in troubleshooting electrical and mechanical maintenance issues. (10%)
• Provide operational support. (10%)
• Conduct engineering studies and investigations and prepare oral and written reports. (10%)
• Attend and conduct training in designated high level technical areas comparable to those conducted or expected of an engineer II or senior engineer. (5%)
• Perform additional responsibilities as requested or assigned. (10%)

Qualifications

Plant Technical Specialist

• Bachelor's degree in engineering or a power plant appropriate science discipline.
• Typically six years of related, progressive work experience would be needed for candidates applying for this position who do not possess a bachelor's degree.
• Five or more years of experience in direct power plant or related utility industry experience with hands‑on practical experience needed to fully understand the plant processes and ability to make modifications as needed to reduce equipment downtime and minimize costs.
• High level of technical knowledge, judgment, and capability in controls and instrumentation.
• Effective communicator with technical and managerial personnel within and external to MidAmerican Energy Company.
• Effective problem‑solving and decision‑making skills.
• Advanced analytical skills.
• Advanced project management skills.
• Ability to prioritize and handle multiple tasks and projects concurrently.
• Ability to use Microsoft Office tools, Excel, Access, and Word.

Senior Plant Technical Specialist

• Bachelor's degree in an engineering or technical field with emphasis in a power plant appropriate science discipline.
• Typically six years of related, progressive work experience would be needed for candidates applying for this position who do not possess a bachelor's degree.
• Eight years of experience in direct power plant or utility industry experience and an expert in plant processes with the ability to make modifications as needed to reduce equipment downtime and minimize costs.
• High level of technical knowledge, judgment, and capability in the engineering discipline with the ability to take large scale DCS projects from beginning to end, with minimal assistance from the engineering department.
• Superior communicator with technical and managerial personnel within and external to MidAmerican Energy Company.
• Advanced problem‑solving and decision‑making skills.
• Advanced analytical skills.
• Advanced project management skills.
• Ability to prioritize and handle multiple tasks and projects concurrently.

Principal Plant Technical Specialist

• Bachelor's degree in engineering or a power plant appropriate science discipline.
• Typically six years of related, progressive work experience would be needed for candidates applying for this position who do not possess a bachelor's degree.
• Ten or more years of experience in direct power plant or related utility industry experience with hands‑on practical experience needed to fully understand the plant processes and ability to make modifications as needed to reduce equipment downtime and minimize costs.
• High level of technical knowledge, judgement, and capability in controls and instrumentation.
• Effective communicator with technical and managerial personnel within and external to MidAmerican Energy Company.
• Effective problem‑solving and decision‑making skills.
• Advanced analytical skills.
• Advanced project management skills.
• Ability to prioritize and handle multiple tasks and projects concurrently.
• Ability to use Microsoft Office tools, Excel, Access, and Word.

Equal Opportunity Employment

MidAmerican Energy Company is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion or religious creed, age, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, gender (including gender identity and expression), sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, genetic information, physical or mental disability, veteran or military status, familial or parental status, marital status or any other category protected by applicable local, state or U.S. federal law. Employees must be able to perform the essential functions of the position, with or without an accommodation.