Operations & Maintenance Engineer

Position is located onsite in Mathis, TX, candidate must live in close proximity or be willing to relocate. The position will support and train in McAllen, TX for 6 months.

Position Summary

This position is responsible for general engineering support including development of plant operation and maintenance procedures, ongoing plant troubleshooting, develop and participate in plant schedule and preventive maintenance, plant safety, plant inventory, plant efficiency, performance monitoring and improvements, development and implementation of various field projects, revenue improvement and cost reduction.

Essential Functions

• Thorough understanding of battery operation to include start-up, shutdown and emergency operational actions
• Performs both routine and non-routine preventative and corrective maintenance on plant equipment
• Makes plant rounds, logs equipment operating parameters and adjusts equipment as required
• Coordinates support contractors and internal resources
• Requisitions and assists in ordering and receiving plant materials
• Represents the Company with vendors and regulators as assigned
• Continuously increases own knowledge by personal independent study
• Implements emergency procedures as assigned
• Implements safety procedures as assigned
• Basic knowledge and experience in PLC programming, SCADA programming and implementation
• Works with contractors and other temporary labor during on site activities
• Uses installed and portable test equipment, technical manuals, system drawings and electrical schematics to troubleshoot equipment and systems
• Programs and troubleshoots field equipment
• Must be able to operate a vehicle in a safe manner, enter and exit vehicle without assistance, remain alert while driving for continuous period of time and read and understand maps
• Must be able to travel overnight approximately 25% of the time out of the office by air, train or auto

Other Responsibilities

• Must be able to climb ladders, climb to and work off elevated platforms, ladders and walkways
• Maintain trend reports on equipment operation for assigned system
• Complete various plant reports
• Perform other duties and projects as assigned

Education, Experience, And Skills Required

• A High school diploma with at least two (2) years of technical training in operations and routine maintenance of battery storage, power plants and four years of experience working in a power plant or an equivalent environment
• Bachelors Degree in Electrical Engineering, preferred
• Thorough knowledge of operating a power plant or battery storage facility
• Thorough knowledge and/or background for operating and maintaining mechanical and/or electrical systems. Ability to maintain electrical systems is preferred
• Familiarity with basic internetworking protocol and related remote communication constructs for telemetry with RTUs
• Knowledge and understanding of PLC based instrumentation and control systems. Ability to troubleshoot, repair and calibrate is preferred
• Preferred working knowledge of power electronics within a utility (or similar) operating environment
• Preferred knowledge of utility industry measurement & verification standards
• Ability to understand engineering design drawings, vendor equipment drawings and technical information
• Proficient in the use of hand tools, power tools and test equipment normally used in a power plant environment
• Thorough knowledge of plant hazards and safety requirements
• Thorough knowledge of computer based preventive maintenance programs
• Computer literate in the use of Microsoft Word, Excel and various other programs
• Effective written and verbal communication skills
• Must possess a valid state driver’s license
• Ability to make effective long term and instantaneous decisions and solve problems with attention to detail
• Use discretion to balance competing priorities
• Familiarity with standard power plant PPE and its proper use
• Available for off shift call in
• Will often work independently and be the only company person on site
• May be called upon to travel to other company sites

Physical Requirements

• Occasionally perform heavy lifting up to 75 pounds
• Must be able to frequently climb to and work off elevated platforms, ladders and walkways
• Must be able to work in confined spaces and in harsh weather conditions
• Must be able to wear a variety of protective equipment
• Jobsite duties require sitting and/or standing for long periods of time with moderate bending, stooping, and kneeling
• The ability to work at a computer and computer monitor for long periods of time and stay alert