Senior PLC Field Service Technician - Data Center Power Systems

ABB Inc.; Washington (District of Columbia); Remote; USD 54,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

401k plan

Paid holidays

Job summary

ABB Inc. is seeking a Senior PLC Technician for Data Center Power Systems. You will lead pre-startup, startup, commissioning, and maintenance of paralleling switchgear and controls in mission-critical power applications.

The role includes on-site leadership, mentoring junior staff, and acting as the primary technical interface with customers and teams. The position allows a remote work model in the US with substantial travel.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED with 7+ years of field experience, or degree with 5+ years.
• Independent capability on highly complex field assignments.
• Experience with mission-critical power systems and paralleling switchgear.
• Ability to read electrical drawings and apply engineering methods on-site.

Responsibilities

• Lead complex field assignments for paralleling switchgear and PLC schemes.
• Oversee testing, startup, and commissioning activities on-site.
• Configure and troubleshoot generator controls, relays, and PLCs.
• Mentor junior field engineers and coordinate multi-person teams.
• Prepare field reports, checklists, and customer updates.

Skills

Paralleling switchgear

PLC controls

HMI/ACS platforms

Troubleshooting

Field leadership

Education

Bachelor or associate degree in related field

Tools

ABB AC500

GE RX3i PLCs

Proficy Machine Edition

Cimplicity

Job description

At ABB, we help industries run leaner and cleaner-and every person here makes that happen. You'll be empowered to lead, supported to grow, and proud of the impact we create together. Join us and help run what runs the world.

This position reports to:

Service Manager

Senior PLC Technician - Data Center Power Systems,

You will be responsible for independent technical leadership for the pre-startup, startup, commissioning, modification, preventive maintenance, and troubleshooting of ABB paralleling switchgear and controls in mission‑critical power applications. The successful candidate will, among other duties, lead complex on‑site activities, guide junior field resources, and serve as a trusted technical interface for customers, contractors, commissioning agents, project teams, and design engineering.

The work model for the role is: Remote in the US with up to 80% regional/nationwide travel

Your Responsibilities:

• Plan, organize, and execute complex field assignments involving Paralleling Switchgear and other PLC/Relay transfer schemes during pre‑startup, full startup, commissioning, modifications, preventive maintenance, and emergency troubleshooting.
• Lead functional and integrated testing of emergency/standby power systems, including open‑transition and closed‑transition sequences, hard and soft transfers, load add/shed, utility‑generator paralleling, import/export, and baseload applications.
• Configure, verify, and troubleshoot generator controls, generator load‑sharing systems, protective relays, switchgear controls, meters, breakers, PLCs, HMIs/ACS platforms, and associated communications.
• Perform advanced troubleshooting and authorized modifications of PLC ladder logic, PLC I/O, communications, sequencing, and ACS parameters using approved engineering documentation and change‑control practices.
• Establish and troubleshoot Modbus, PLC‑to‑PLC, redundant PLC, remote PLC, PLC‑to‑ACS, and customer BMS/EPMS/SCADA communications.
• Interpret one‑line diagrams, elementary schematics, interconnection drawings, sequence‑of‑operations documents, coordination studies, settings files, and commissioning procedures.
• Lead on‑site technical execution, coordinate daily work, communicate status and risks, manage punch‑list closure, and support on‑time, on‑budget completion of complex or high‑profile projects.
• Direct and mentor junior field engineers and technicians, assign work within demonstrated competencies, and provide practical coaching on safe execution, troubleshooting, documentation, and customer communication.
• Act as a senior escalation resource for high‑level remote and on‑site troubleshooting, including emergency response where assigned.
• Complete accurate field service reports, startup checklists, redlines, test documentation, software backups, time entry, expense reporting, and customer‑facing status updates.
• Protect ABB and customer assets, control job costs and expenditures, and identify opportunities to improve quality, productivity, and service delivery.
• Build effective customer relationships by translating complex technical findings into clear actions, recommendations, risks, and recovery plans.

Qualifications:

• High school diploma or GED with 7+ years of relevant field experience, or an associate or bachelor degree with 5+ years in a related field.
• Demonstrated independent field capability on highly complex assignments.
• Advanced experience with low and medium voltage switchgear, paralleling switchgear, circuit breakers, protective relays, generator controls, PLC‑based controls, HMIs/ACS, industrial networking, and mission‑critical power systems.
• Hands‑on experience leading startup and commissioning activities, coordinating energization and switching, troubleshooting under schedule pressure, and directing multi‑person site teams.
• Ability to read, interpret, and redline complex electrical and control drawings and to apply approved engineering methods in the field.
• Strong analytical, problem‑solving, customer communication, technical reporting, and field leadership skills.
• Ability to travel extensively within the United States and remain at customer sites for extended assignments based on project demand.
• Ability to meet ABB and customer site access, electrical safety, training, and personal protective equipment requirements.
• Candidates must have authorization to work in the United States without requiring ABB sponsorship, where applicable to the requisition.

Preferred Technical Experience:

• ABB Energy Commander or comparable paralleling switchgear and controls.
• GE/Emerson RX3i PLCs and Proficy Machine Edition; ABB AC500 and Automation Builder; CP600 HMI/Panel Builder; Cimplicity or comparable supervisory platforms.
• Woodward EasyGen and LS5 generator controls and load‑sharing systems.
• ABB, SEL/Schweitzer, Multilin, Basler, or Woodward protective relays and associated testing or configuration tools.
• Modbus, industrial Ethernet, fiber‑optic networks, redundant control networks, BMS, EPMS, and SCADA integration.
• Low‑and medium‑voltage breaker testing, CT/PT verification, relay testing, primary/secondary injection, turns‑ratio, winding‑resistance, insulation, power‑factor, hipot, phase‑rotation, and related commissioning test equipment.
• Utility paralleling, emergency standby generation, complex load management, data center commissioning, and coordination with third‑party commissioning agents.

Why ABB?

We want you to bring your full self to work-your ideas, your energy, your ambition. You'll have the tools and freedom to grow your skills, shape your path, and take on challenges that matter. Here, your work creates impact you can see and feel, every day.

ABB is an Equal Employment Opportunity and Aff…

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to their- sex (gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation), marital status, citizenship, age, race and ethnicity, inclusive of traits historically associated with race or ethnicity, including but not limited to hair texture and protective hairstyles, color, religious creed, national origin, pregnancy, physical or mental disability, genetic information, protected Veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal and state law.

For more information regarding your (EEO) rights as an applicant, please visit the following websites: https://www.eeoc.gov/sites/default/files/2023-06/22-088_EEOC_KnowYourRights6.12ScreenRdr.pdf

As an Equal Employment Opportunity and Aff…

Protected Veterans and Individuals with Disabilities may request a reasonable accommodation if you are unable or limited in your ability to use or access ABB's career site as a result of your disability. You may request reasonable accommodations by calling an ABB HR Representative at 1-888-694-7762 or by sending an email to [e-mail]. Resumes and applications will not be accepted in this manner.

While base salary is determined by things such as the successful applicant's qualifications and experience, this position is expected to pay between $40/hr. and $65/hr, and is overtime and double time eligible.

ABB Benefit Summary for eligible US employees

Go to myBenefitsABB.com and click on "Candidate/Guest" to learn more

Health, Life & Disability

• Choice between two medical plan options: A PPO plan called the Copay Plan OR a High Deductible Health Plan (with a Health Savings Account) called the High Deductible Plan.
• Choice between two dental plan options: Core and Core Plus
• Vision benefit
• Company paid life insurance (2X base pay)
• Company paid AD&D (1X base pay)
• Voluntary life and AD&D - 100% employee paid up to maximums
• Short Term Disability - up to 26 weeks - Company paid
• Long Term Disability - 60% of pay - Company paid. Ability to "buy-up" to 66 2/3% of pay.
• Supplemental benefits - 100% employee paid (Accident insurance, hospital indemnity, critical illness, pet insurance
• Parental Leave - up to 6 weeks
• Employee Assistance Program
• Health Advocate support resources for mental/behavioral health, general health navigation and virtual health, and infertility/adoption
• Employee discount program

Retirement

• 401k Savings Plan with Company Contributions
• Employee Stock Acquisition Plan (ESAP)

Time off

ABB provides 11 paid holidays. Vacation is provided based on years of service for hourly and non‑exempt positions.

Building a cleaner, smarter future takes all kinds of minds: the curious, the courageous, and the creative. That's why we welcome people from all backgrounds and experiences.

Ready to make an impact?