Instrumentation, Controls and Electrical (IC&E) Technician

Sandy Creek Energy Station is a nominal 900-megawatt, supercritical coal-fired power plant near Riesel, Texas. The facility uses a pulverized-coal boiler, condensing steam turbine-generator, and auxiliary systems. Coal is delivered by rail from the Powder River Basin. Environmental controls include SCR, powdered activated carbon injection, spray dry absorption, and fabric filtration to reduce emissions and control particulates.

Opportunity Summary

The Instrumentation, Controls, and Electrical (IC&E) Technician at Sandy Creek Energy Station plays a key role in maintaining safe, reliable, and efficient plant operations by calibrating, testing, troubleshooting, and repairing instrumentation, control systems, and electrical equipment. This position supports PLC, DCS, SCADA, turbine control, and power distribution systems through preventive and corrective maintenance while working closely with Operations, Maintenance, and Engineering to improve reliability, minimize downtime, and optimize plant performance.

Your scope of responsibility as IC&E Technician includes the following primary functions:

• Calibrate, test, troubleshoot, repair, and install plant instrumentation and field devices, including control valves, transmitters, analyzers, actuators, motors, drives, dampers, and associated equipment.
• Perform preventive, predictive, corrective, and emergency maintenance on electrical systems, including switchgear, MCCs, motors, transformers, batteries, excitation equipment, emergency backup systems, and equipment operating up to 13.8 kV.
• Maintain and troubleshoot PLC, DCS, SCADA, CEMS, and other plant automation and monitoring systems by diagnosing faults and verifying proper system functionality.
• Support boiler, steam turbine, and environmental control systems, including burner management, boiler instrumentation, turbine controls, air-quality control equipment, and condition-monitoring systems.
• Assist with outages, testing, commissioning, equipment modifications, and capital projects by coordinating work with Operations, Maintenance, Engineering, contractors, vendors, and OEM representatives.
• Analyze equipment performance and operating trends to identify problems, determine root causes, and recommend improvements that enhance reliability, availability, and efficiency.
• Document maintenance activities in the plant CMMS, including work performed, labor hours, calibration records, equipment history, and required technical documentation.
• Follow all safety, environmental, and regulatory requirements, including lockout/tagout, electrical safe-work practices, required PPE, hazard identification, and proper handling of regulated materials.
• Contribute to outage and maintenance planning while completing other technical assignments as needed to support safe, reliable, and efficient plant operations.
• Complete other technical assignments and special projects as directed in support of safe, reliable, and efficient plant operations.

NAES Safe

Safety is a core value at NAES, and as a condition of employment, all employees are expected to remain mentally alert and work safely at all times. Employees must also adhere to all safety warnings and posted signs while on company property. Additionally, they are required to follow all NAES safety rules and procedures. Adherence to these safety responsibilities is one of the key factors in the evaluation of each employee’s performance.

Working Relationships

The IC&E Technician reports directly to the IC&E Supervisor and receives general direction from plant management. This role involves interfacing with contractors and original equipment manufacturer (OEM) personnel to ensure necessary support and coordination.

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions

Work is performed in a coal-fired power plant environment and includes standing for extended periods of time, climbing stairs and ladders, and working from elevated platforms and walkways at varying heights. Regular lifting of materials and equipment up to 50 pounds is required.

Duties may involve entering confined spaces, crawling through narrow areas, and handling coal, ash, and other materials associated with plant operations. Personnel may be exposed to coal dust, fly ash, hazardous chemicals, high noise levels, extreme heat near boilers and other equipment, and fluctuating outdoor weather conditions.

Use of personal protective equipment (PPE) is required and may include hard hats, safety glasses, face shields, air-purifying or supplied-air respirators, hearing protection, flame-resistant clothing (FRC), chemical-resistant suits, hot gloves, high-voltage protective gear, and fall protection equipment. Respirator fit testing may be required based on job responsibilities. Smoking is strictly prohibited in and around the facility.

Fitness for Duty

All personnel will participate in the Fitness for Duty Program, which includes a post-offer physical examination, drug screening, and post-employment random drug screening.

Work Schedule

This position will require extended hours, flexible shifts, weekends, and holidays as needed to support plant operations and business needs and may also require callout availability. Depending on the position, on-call status may or may not apply.

Compensation

This position offers a base pay rate ranging from $55 to $65 per hour, along with eligibility for an annual performance bonus.

Technical Experience and IC&E Qualifications

• An associate degree in Electrical Engineering Technology, Instrumentation and Control, Electronics Technology, Industrial Electrical Technology, or a related technical field is preferred; equivalent technical training or relevant industrial or military experience will be considered.
• Relevant experience in power generation, heavy industry, manufacturing, or a comparable industrial environment should include exposure to electrical maintenance, instrumentation, controls, and safe work practices.
• Comprehensive knowledge of plant electrical and instrumentation systems, including switchgear, MCCs, motors, transformers, excitation systems, control valves, transmitters, and analyzers.
• Working familiarity with PLC, DCS, SCADA, boiler control, burner management, steam turbine control, emissions-control equipment, and condition-monitoring systems is important for diagnosing and resolving control-system issues.
• Hands-on proficiency in installing, calibrating, testing, maintaining, and troubleshooting electrical, instrumentation, and control equipment is essential.
• Demonstrated troubleshooting ability should include interpreting equipment symptoms, control logic, operating trends, and technical data to identify root causes and implement effective corrective actions.
• Previous involvement with plant outages, equipment modifications, commissioning, major maintenance, or capital projects is preferred.
• Effective collaboration skills are necessary for working with Operations, Maintenance, Engineering, contractors, vendors, and OEM representatives in a team-oriented plant environment.
• Clear communication skills with the ability to interpret electrical schematics, P&IDs, logic diagrams, and technical manuals while maintaining accurate maintenance records.
• Must possess a valid, unrestricted U.S. driver’s license and ensure it remains in good standing at all times.

About NAES

NAES Corporation is a leading provider of operations, maintenance, engineering, and technical services for the energy industry. We partner with clients across North America and internationally to support power generation, oil and gas, and renewable energy facilities throughout their entire life cycle.

NAES is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace. Employment decisions are based on merit, qualifications, and business needs, without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, disability, military or veteran status, USERRA-protected status, or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.