Technical Specialist Turbine Controls

Arizona Public Service - APS; Phoenix (AZ); Hybrid; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Arizona Public Service - APS in Phoenix seeks a Turbine Controls Technical Specialist to provide onsite technical support for turbine control systems and plant automation equipment, ensuring OEM specifications and safety practices are followed.

You will collaborate with engineering, operations and maintenance to recommend modifications, support outages, troubleshoot issues, and mentor plant personnel on turbine controls, instrumentation and diagnostics.

Qualifications

• Minimum 15 years as Technical Field Advisor or equivalent experience in power generation equipment.
• Two-year Associates degree can substitute for two years experience; four-year Bachelor's degree can substitute for four years experience.
• Experience with aeroderivative turbines GE LMS100 LM6000 LM5000 LM2500 preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical guidance based on OEM procedures, software docs, and engineering standards.
• Identify and resolve turbine control system issues, perform diagnostics to improve reliability and availability.
• Lead and coordinate control system maintenance, upgrades, testing and commissioning activities.
• Oversee OEM representatives, vendors, and contractors on turbine control systems.

Skills

GE Mark VIe experience

Turbine control systems

PLC & DCS knowledge

Cybersecurity awareness

Troubleshooting skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering or technical field

Associates degree substitute for experience

Tools

GE Mark VIe training

Instrumentation & sensors

Job description

Arizona Public Service generates reliable, affordable and clean energy for 2.7 million Arizonans. As the state's largest and longest-serving energy provider, our more than 6,000 dedicated employees power our vision of creating a sustainable energy future for Arizona.

Summary

The Turbine Controls Technical Specialist is a subject matter expert that provides onsite technical support for APS and contractor employees working on turbine control systems and associated plant automation equipment. Ensures work is completed in accordance with original equipment manufacturer (OEM) specifications while following industry best practices, standards, cybersecurity requirements and safety practices. Works in conjunction with engineering, operations and maintenance to provide recommendations for control system modifications, upgrades and maintenance based on equipment performance, system diagnostics and operating experience. Assists plants with troubleshooting emergent issues and may act as a liaison between plant personnel, engineering and turbine control system OEMs.

Minimum Requirements

• 15 years experience as a Technical Field Advisor in the industry. (Technical Field Advisor provides technical support and guidance for the installation, maintenance and upgrade of power generation equipment.)
• A two-year Associates degree in engineering, applied sciences or other technical field from an accredited college can substitute for two years experience.
• A four-year bachelors degree in engineering, applied sciences or other technical field from an accredited college or university can substitute for four years experience.
• Experience and qualifications working with aeroderivative turbines including General Electric LMS100, LM6000, LM5000 or LM2500 turbines.

Preferred Special Skills, Knowledge Or Qualifications

• General Electric (GE) Mark VIe turbine control system experience and training.
• Experience with turbine instrumentation, control valves, sensors, vibration monitoring and auxiliary system controls.
• Experience with programmable logic controllers (PLCs), distributed control systems (DCS), human-machine interfaces (HMIs), industrial networks and communication protocols.
• Knowledge of applicable cybersecurity requirements and industrial control system cybersecurity practices.
• Strong problem analysis, troubleshooting and root cause resolution techniques.
• Knowledge of applicable codes, standards, practices, methods and safety standards for turbine control systems and associated components.
• Good communication and technical documentation skills.
• Experience in the utility industry.
• Understanding of project management.
• In-depth understanding of construction, operating and sound engineering practices, safety rules, company policies and union agreements.

Major Accountabilities

• Provides technical guidance and recommendations based on OEM procedures, control philosophies, software documentation, system drawings, configuration files and engineering standards.
• Identifies and helps resolve technical issues involving turbine control systems, instrumentation, communication networks, protection interfaces and auxiliary control equipment during operation or maintenance evolutions. Diagnoses the root cause, analyzes system performance and determines appropriate corrective actions to improve reliability and equipment availability. Ensures compliance with Environmental, Health and Safety procedures, cybersecurity requirements and applicable regulations.
• Leads and coordinates control system maintenance, upgrades, software migrations, testing and commissioning activities. Provides technical reports on control system modifications, commissioning, troubleshooting and other maintenance events.
• Provides technical oversight of OEM representatives, vendors and contractors performing work on turbine control systems and associated equipment.
• Assists in planning and executing turbine outages and control system projects including but not limited to: writing scope of work (SOW) documents, control system upgrade planning, outage schedule review, budget planning, job plans, commissioning plans, technical evaluations and contract reviews.
• Provides training and technical mentoring as needed to plant personnel on turbine controls, instrumentation, system operation, troubleshooting techniques and maintenance best practices.
• Stays updated on current technology as well as industry and competitive developments regarding turbine controls, automation systems and control system lifecycle management.

Export Compliance / EEO Statement

This position may require access to and/or use of information subject to control under the Department of Energy's Part 810 Regulations (10 CFR Part 810), the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) (15 CFR Parts 730 through 774), or the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) (22 CFR Chapter I, Subchapter M Part 120) (collectively, 'U.S. Export Control Laws'). Therefore, some positions may require applicants to be a U.S. person, which is defined as a U.S. Citizen, a U.S. Lawful Permanent Resident (i.e. 'Green Card Holder'), a Political Asylee, or a Refugee under the U.S. Export Control Laws. All applicants will be required to confirm their U.S. person or non-US person status. All information collected in this regard will only be used to ensure compliance with U.S. Export Control Laws, and will be used in full compliance with all applicable laws prohibiting discrimination on the basis of national origin and other factors. For positions at Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Stations (PVNGS) all openings will require applicants to be a U.S. person. Pinnacle West Capital Corporation and its subsidiaries and affiliates ('Pinnacle West') maintain a continuing policy of nondiscrimination in employment. It is our policy to provide equal opportunity in all phases of the employment process and in compliance with applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations. This policy of nondiscrimination shall include, but not be limited to, recruiting, hiring, promoting, compensating, reassigning, demoting, transferring, laying off, recalling, terminating employment, and training for all positions without regard to race, color, religion, disability, age, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status, protected veteran status, or any other classification or characteristic protected by law. For more information on applicable equal employment regulations, please refer to EEO is the Law poster. Federal law requires all employers to verify the identity and employment eligibility of every person hired to work in the United States, refer to E-Verify poster. View the employee rights and responsibilities under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). In compliance with the Drug Free Workplace Act of 1988, the Company is committed to a work environment that is free from the effects of alcohol and controlled substances, and free from the abuse or inappropriate use of prescribed and over-the-counter medications. The Company requires employees to be subject to drug and alcohol testing that is job-related and consistent with business necessity, regulatory requirements and applicable laws.

CIP Requirement

This position requires Critical Infrastructure Protection (CIP) access consistent with North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) standards. The applicant considered for this role will be required to obtain and maintain CIP access for the duration of employment in this position. A full seven (7) year criminal history will be obtained through the pre-employment background check process (or, for current employees, through supplemental background check process) to fulfill the CIP access requirements. In addition, this position requires an additional background check every seven years to maintain access.

Hybrid:

Employees in hybrid roles work both in their home offices (virtually) and alongside their colleagues (in person). In order for employees to build strong relationships and to promote meaningful in-person interactions, hybrid employees are expected to work about 40% of their time in-person at an APS or other (non-home office) location.

• Employees are expected to reside in Arizona (or New Mexico for Four Corners-based employees).
• Working from a home office requires adequate technology and an appropriate ergonomic set up.
• Role types are subject to change based on business need.