Senior Plant Controls Engineer

• Location(s):

Austin, TX, US, 78701

RWE Clean Energy, LLC
To start as soon as possible, full time, permanent

Functional area: Engineering
Remuneration: Exempt

The Senior Plant Controls Engineer is part of the Plant Controls Team within RWE Clean Energy. The team ensures the highest-quality control solutions for utility-scale renewables projects (Solar, Wind, and Battery) throughout their life cyclefrom development to operation. This position executes the design, construction, commissioning, and administration of control systems within RWE Clean Energy.

In this position, you will be critical in the design and execution of control solutions for new sites. You will gather project-specific requirements to define the services and functionalities the plants require, determine the most suitable SCADA concept for interconnection, and ensure the proper control system design for the application.

In this position, you will be involved in all the different stages of the project, starting from the design stage, guiding the implementation phase, and supporting the solution’s on-site commissioning.

You will work closely with third-party providers, assessing the most suitable options and implementing concepts in the field.

As a Plant Controls engineer, you will be a critical interface between the Operations and Development parts.

Responsibilities:

• Lead SCADA design, configuration, and commissioning on individual projects and provide oversight and guidance to junior engineers
• Coordinate with project managers and other engineering discipline SMEs to ensure SCADA requirements are met and project timelines are achieved
• Review and provide constructive input for project contracts with financial partners and equipment manufacturers. Advises and provides technical input for contract wording discussions
• Gather technical requirements for projects based on grid codes, standards, and contracts and ensure SCADA system capability to achieve these
• Generate and modify project exhibits for contractors and vendors in alignment with SCADA Standards and strategy
• Develop and oversee the scope of work and technical requirements for control system vendors and integrators
• Review contractor design documents and ensure the design will meet the operational needs of the SCADA system and align with SCADA standards
• Lead, oversee, and implement the development of technical SCADA Requirements, including networking design (IP addressing, VLANs), RTU configuration, and plant control strategy across multiple projects
• Commission substation equipment, switches, and plant networks for projects; working closely with junior engineers to train and build their skill
• Drive and pursue interpretation and understanding of operational data of Battery plants across the wider business

Assist in developing strategic goals of the SCADA team and support driving changes to standards and processes

Qualifications :

• A Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics, Control Engineering, a similar field of engineering, or equivalent professional experience is required
• A minimum of 8 years of professional experience in control systems and SCADA platforms (any industry) is required
• A firm grasp of networking design fundamentals, including fiber/ethernet, switch, and VLAN configuration.
• A strong background in the configuration of RTUs or other plant controllers (software development experience also a plus)
• Proven experience developing technical documentation, including exhibits, scope of works, functional descriptions, and plant control narratives
• Be structured and thorough in analyzing and documenting requirements and creating technical documentation for different stakeholders
• Demonstrate experience commissioning networking and plant controls
• Demonstrate experience overseeing contractors delivering technical work
• Experience within the renewable energy or power industry is highly regarded but not required
• Work autonomously to deliver projects without oversight
• Take ownership of work, resolve issues, and seek guidance when direction is needed
• Document work and progress effectively
• Report upwards on project status and progress
• Coordinate with technical members of adjacent teams to align on work deliverables that impact one another; seek to understand and resolve gaps and escalate issues through appropriate channels
• Effective communicator capable of working with people from different backgrounds
• High Attention to detail
• Excellent interpersonal skills, energetic and a self-starter
• Proactive in resolving issues
• Effectively use team collaboration tools and software
• Must be open to collaboration and working in a team environment

Clear passion and motivation to work in the renewables industry

Work Environment:

This position is a hybrid office-based role in Austin, TX, with some travel and visits to other RWECE offices and field locations. The employee must be able to sit, walk, or stand for long durations of time.

Benefits offered: Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, Short-Term Disability, Long-Term Disability, 401(k) match, Flexible Spending Accounts, EAP, Education Assistance, Parental Leave, Paid time off, and Holidays. Eligible employees also participate in short-term incentives, in addition to salary.

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We look forward to meeting you. Of course, you can find us on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and Xing, too.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. No matter who you are, we welcome your application irrespective of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status.

RWE Clean Energy is one of the biggest names in the US renewables industry and No.2 in solar. With a 1,500-strong team, the business has over 15 years experience of developing, constructing and operating renewable energy facilities, and ambitious plans for the future.

As part of the RWE Groups Growing Green strategy to expand globally its green portfolio to more than 65 GW of installed capacity and to invest globally more than EUR 55 billion gross by 2030, RWE Clean Energy is determined to significantly increase its operating asset base in the U.S. This is backed by a project pipeline of more than 24 GW in onshore wind, solar and battery storage which provides for one of the largest development platforms in the United States.

Every project brings constantly-evolving technical, practical and social challenges and drives a culture where everybody thrives, has fun and feels excited by each day. Our financial stability also means youll have the freedom to act with conviction and courage as we pivot to new technologies and continuously improve, together.