Team Lead, Control Center Integration

Are you ready to be part of a company that’s not just talking about the future, but actively shaping it? Join The AES Corporation (NYSE: AES), a Fortune 500 company that’s leading the charge in the global energy revolution. With operations spanning 14 countries, AES is committed to shaping a future through innovation and collaboration. Our dedication to innovation has earned us recognition as one of the Top Ten Best Workplaces for Innovators by Fast Company in 2022. And with our certification as a Great Place to Work, you can be confident that you’re joining a company that values its people just as much as its groundbreaking ideas.

AES is proudly ranked #1 globally in renewable energy sales to corporations, and with $12.7B in revenues in 2023, we have the resources and expertise to make a significant impact as we provide electricity to 25 million customers worldwide. As the world moves towards a net-zero future, AES is committed to meeting the Paris Agreement’s goals by 2050. Our innovative solutions, such as 24/7 carbon-free energy for data centers, are setting the pace for rapid, global decarbonization.

If you’re ready to be part of a company that’s not just adapting to change, but driving it, AES is the place for you. We’re not just building a cleaner, more sustainable future – we’re powering it. Apply now and energize your career with a true leader in the global energy transformation.

AES CE, a subsidiary of The AES Corporation, specializes in developing, owning, and operating utility scale PV solar projects, distributed generation PV solar projects, PV solar projects combined with battery energy storage systems (BESS), stand-alone battery energy storage projects and wind generation projects. AES CE currently has over 5,000 MW of renewable assets with a project pipeline in excess of 20,000+ MW contracted or in development.

  With a business goal to grow our operating portfolio to 25,000+ MW by 2027, and a development pipeline to support achieving that goal, now is an outstanding time to join the AES CE team as it continues its exponential growth.

 

Our mission is to accelerate the future of energy, together and lead the way in decarbonizing the energy industry. We are a global, agile, cohesive organization with an employee engagement level akin to a startup company. AES businesses throughout the world are often recognized as great places to work. Our people share a passion to help meet the world’s current and growing energy needs, while providing communities and countries the opportunity for economic growth due to the availability of reliable, affordable electric power.

We are currently seeking a Team Lead for the Control Center Integration group. Specialist focused supporting new site integration in the Remote Operating Control Centers for clean energy projects including solar, wind and energy storage projects. This position focuses on activities that take place primarily during the commissioning, start-up and turnover phase to COD and the early post-COD phases of the project. The role requires the ability to manage such activities on multiple high impact utility scale projects simultaneously and requires 10-20% of travel to project locations and AES offices as needed.

The goal of this position is to ensure a seamless transition from construction to operations of newly integrated (new construction or merger acquisitions) projects into the AES Clean Energy portfolio with a concentrated focus on Control Center activities.

The successful candidate will have in-depth experience with renewable utility scale projects, experience working with and in operation centers, O&M experience in the power industry, a track record of proven project management skills, leadership skills congruent with AES values and demonstrated ability to work well with cross functional teams and multiple contractors.

This role will be based on Salt Lake City, UT; Dayton, OH or North Palm Springs, CA. If the candidate has the proper experience a remote location can be considered.

Key Responsibilities:

• Responsible for overall Control Center transition strategy of new projects into the control center that supports AES CE’s growth pipeline from for integrating and transitioning new site integration and transition
• Responsible for all aspects of hiring including identifying hiring needs, budgeting, interviews, and working with HR to extend offers, etc.
• Responsible new hire onboarding and training and assessing is provided to team members
• Identifying and implementation of efficiencies as it relates to integrating new sites into the control center.
• Responsible for ensuring full compliance with operational readiness checklist for new sites.
• Effectively using available resources
• Responsible for coordinating various commissioning activities, maintaining excellent communications, and collaborating with a diverse cross-functional teams (OT/IT, ISO, utility, customer, field team, construction project manager, etc.) to ensure the successful integration of new sites into the Remote Operating Control Center.
• Responsible for compliance with all applicable NERC standards as it relates to control room operations pre-COD.
• Responsible for ensuring procedures are designed to comply with contractual obligations (PPA’s and LGIA’s for example)
• Responsible to assuring contractual pre-COD operating and reporting requirements are met.
• Responsible for ensuring facility manuals, procedures and other documents needed for the control center are developed and created by COD.
• Responsible for coordinating and conducting training for Remote Control Center Operators on new facility operating parameters, supervising requirements and reporting responsibilities.
• Responsible for developing and coordinate test energy schedule with utilities.
• Ensuring all appropriate parties are always up-to-date with project evolutions including key milestones and schedule changes thereof.
• Responsible for working with SCADA vendors and ensuring functionality of the SCADA meets AES Operation’s expectations (graphics built correctly, alarms functioning and as intended, validation of data, etc.).
• Overall responsibility of ensuring all operational readiness, turnover and commissioning activities & obligations are complete, on time and meet expectations for Remote Operating Control Center.
• Assist and support as needed the various site tests including capacity testing, availability testing, controls testing, etc.

Skills and Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent technical skills/experience
• 5+ years of professional experience in some combination of renewables (Wind, BESS and PV, etc.) or 5+ years working in the power industry (preferably in the O&M field of the power industry)
• Experience in Solar+Storage of stand-alone energy storage (Battery Energy Storage System (BESS)) is a plus
• Experience working with control room personnel
• Experience working in a control center as an operator is a plus
• In-depth experience in working with with power plant SCADA or DCS systems
• Experience working with grid entities such as TOP, SC, ISO, Off takers, etc.
• Experience creating, editing, and updating Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)
• Experience & familiarity with NERC Reliability Standards & Critical Infrastructure Protection
• Proven ability to multi-task and prioritize work
• Proven Project Management skills and ability to maintain a high level of organization
• Experience with computerized maintenance management systems (CMMS), data entry and data analytic tools/software
• Ability to establish trust through building relationships and demonstration of capabilities.
• Outstanding interpersonal skills, including an ability to maintain calm and effective exchanges by all parties
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal
• Proficient in Microsoft Office bundle (Word, Excel, Teams, etc.)

COMPENSATION:

Competitive base and variable pay. Full benefits.

AES is an Equal Opportunity Employer who is committed to building strength and delivering long-term sustainability through diversity and inclusion. Respecting all backgrounds, differences and perspectives enables us to improve the lives of our people, customers, suppliers, contractors, and the communities in which we live and work. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity and/or expression, race, national origin, ethnicity, age, religion, marital status, physical or mental disability, pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical condition, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected under applicable law. E-Verify Notice: AES will provide the Social Security Administration (SSA) and if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) with information from each new employee’s I-9 to confirm work authorization.

The expected salary for this position, at commencement of employment, is between $105.000 and $131.750/Annual; however, base pay offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, including market location, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. The total compensation package for this position may also include other elements such as annual bonus, in addition to a full range of medical, dental, vision, life, financial, and/or other benefits (including 401(k) eligibility and various paid time off benefits, such as vacation, sick time, and parental leave), dependent on the position offered. Details of participation in these benefit plans will be provided if a candidate receives an offer of employment. If hired, employee will be in an “at-will position” and the Company reserves the right to modify base salary (as well as any other discretionary payment or compensation program) at any time, including for reasons related to individual performance, Company or individual department/team performance, and market factors.