| Title: | Controls Specialist - Renewable Energy - REMOTE |
|---|---|
| ID: | 1131 |
| Location: | Remote, Canada |
| Department: | Engineering |
| Job Type: | Exempt (salaried) |
| Position Type: | Full-Time |
About Us
FirstLight is a leading clean power producer, developer, and energy storage company serving North America. With a diversified portfolio that includes over 1.65 GW of operating renewable energy and energy storage technologies and a development pipeline with 4+ GW of solar, battery, hydro, onshore wind and offshore wind projects, FirstLight specializes in hybrid solutions that pair hydroelectric, pumped-hydro storage (including Northfield Mountain, the largest energy storage facility in New England), utility-scale solar, large-scale battery, and wind assets. The company’s mission is to accelerate the decarbonization of the electric grid by supporting the development, operation, and integration of renewable energy and storage to meet the world’s growing clean energy needs and deliver an electric system that is clean, reliable, affordable, and equitable. Based in Burlington, MA, with operating offices in Northfield, MA, New Milford, CT, Oshawa, ON and Montréal, QC, FirstLight is a steward of more than 14,000 acres and hundreds of miles of shoreline along some of the most beautiful rivers and lakes in North America.
FirstLight is wholly owned by PSP Investments, one of Canada’s largest pension investment managers. We have over 200 employees in Canada and the US with operations based in Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York, Pennsylvania, Ontario and Quebec and our corporate headquarters are located in Burlington, MA.
We proudly serve our host communities and beyond through our clean energy assets, the recreation spaces we steward, the jobs we produce, and the economic benefit we deliver through our operations and charitable actions.
We are a team of caring, passionate professionals who are driven to deliver positive climate impact and to have fun while doing it! We value diversity, equity and inclusion and encourage people with diverse perspectives, skills and experiences to apply.
Position Detail:
We are looking for an experienced Controls Specialist to join our team. This position can be fully remote or hybrid.
Reporting to the Engineering Manager, the Controls Specialist is responsible for the planning, engineering and execution of upgrades and improvements of control systems that allow the Company’s hydroelectric generating station to remotely and/or automatically operate plant equipment and peripherals. The control systems also collect and store plant data for review and analysis. Additionally, the Controls Specialist will support both Information Systems and trades maintenance personnel in the ongoing operation of these systems.
Our ideal candidate possesses experience, passion and energy to be a driving force in FirstLight’s continued evolution to accelerate the decarbonization of the electric grid to meet the clean energy needs of tomorrow.
Key Responsibilities Include, But Are Not Limited To:
- Prepare specifications, technical standards and drawings for controls systems projects;
- Prepare cost estimates and project timelines for new installations and proposed changes to existing control systems;
- Visit the generating station and transformer station facilities to maintain familiarity with site conditions, Maintenance and Operating staff to document site specific conditions and new identify change requirements;
- Prepare detailed drawings, programming logic and control logic scenarios to be programmed in house or for larger projects, to be programmed by others;
- Manage all controls related projects by establishing project schedules, technical requirements, and external stakeholder requirements (IESO, HONI, etc.), review technical and commercial proposals, review outside consultant and/or contractor submittals for compliance, actively manage the field implementation including equipment outage requirements, field quality control, commissioning and operator training;
- Supervise installation and construction of control systems projects, including actively participating in periodic site inspections and quality reviews;
- Ensure adherence to the Company’s power safety requirements for all outside consultants and contractors, both in design and during field installations;
- Lead field commissioning efforts including acceptance of new systems;
- Verify/validate completeness of as-built drawings and programming work performed by outsourced providers;
- Serve as resident expert on generating station operations as it relates to design and maintenance of safe and reliable automation and data collection systems;
- In conjunction with the Information Systems team:
- Manage and maintain all source code data and participate in changes to control systems request, review, and approval process;
- Interface to SCADA systems, network and communications systems;
- Develop screen layouts, data tagging, reports and alarming requirements;
- In conjunction with projects managed by others:
- Perform detailed design and programming of automation and controls systems required to support Capex or Opex projects;
- Participate in project scoping, field investigations, optimization of projects and mitigation of risks associated with changes in the controls system environment;
- Provide commissioning support as it relates to the project control systems;
- Complies with all Corporate policies and procedures;
- Carries out other duties as assigned.
Job Qualifications / Skills
- Preference will be given to candidates with direct Hydropower and Power Systems experience;
- Bachelor’s Degree or Diploma in Electrical Engineering or Computer Science from a registered Canadian University or College;
- 5+ years of related experience, required;
- Excellent PLC software and hardware knowledge, experience with support of real-time systems in multi-user operating systems and strong working knowledge of other relevant programming languages, operating systems and relational databases;
- Experience with the design, implementation, and maintenance of instrumentation and control systems in a production environment;
- Fully conversant in Automation and Control of generating station and power transmission equipment including, but not limited to, integration of “black box” controller systems, open architecture PLC based systems, governor controller systems, excitation (static and rotational) controllers, voltage regulators; automation systems for station auxiliaries (gates, HPUs, oil/water/air systems, building services and safety/security systems); and associated interface equipment used to control and monitor the generation facilities;
- Professional Engineers Ontario (P.Eng) designation or Ontario Association of Certified Engineering Technicians and Technologists (CET or C.Tech) is preferred;
- Proficiency with Ontario Health and Safety requirements and demonstrated experience in construction site safety;
- Strong problem solving skills and knowledge of system and software debugging methods to minimize troubleshooting time and the ability to quickly respond to changes in generation station operating requirements with appropriate system hardware and software modifications;
- Prior experience coordinating vendor support;
- Demonstrated initiative with strong analytical and problem-solving skills and the ability to work independently with little direction;
- Knowledge of IESO & North American Electric Reliability Council (NERC) reliability standards as they pertain to control systems is considered an asset;
- Demonstrated skills in the areas of planning, organizing, and project management;
- Working knowledge of electrical wiring techniques, cable terminations and electrical and communications test equipment;
- Working knowledge of AutoCAD drafting software;
- Proficient with Excel and entire MS Suite;
- Strong commitment toward adherence to high standards and best work practices;
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills;
- Must possess a valid G driver’s license and clean driving record.
Why Work for FirstLight?
We consider our employees to be our most valuable resource and we strive to provide a challenging, collegial, and rewarding workplace. FirstLight embraces a company-wide commitment to recruit, develop, and retain a dedicated, diverse, and engaged workforce that is motivated to be ever better both professionally and personally.
Joining the FirstLight Team is an opportunity to experience a unique and exciting culture. We offer a competitve benefits package.
FirstLight is an Equal Opportunity Employer; promoting accessibility and inclusivity at work and offering accommodation for applicants as required and requested.
FirstLight’s values are:
Respect – Integrity – Safety – Excellence – Innovation - Team
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