Instrumentation & Controls Engineer - Renewable Energy

About Us

FirstLight is a leading clean power producer, developer, and energy storage company serving the Northeast. With a diversified portfolio that includes over 1.4 GW of operating renewable energy and energy storage technologies and a development pipeline of solar and battery 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 and large-scale battery 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, and New Milford, CT, 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.

We have over 140 employees with operations based in Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Pennsylvania.

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 currently have an opening for an experienced Instrumentation and Controls Engineer in Northfield, MA. This position is hybrid, with some work able to be done remotely.

Reporting to the Engineering & Construction Manager, the Instrument & Controls Engineer is responsible for maintaining critical network and control systems that allow FirstLight's personnel to operate and maintain plant equipment and peripherals effectively. Work duties will primarily be in the Northfield, MA area but may include occasional travel to other FirstLight assets.

Our ideal candidate possesses the 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.

The compensation for this position typically falls between $115,000.00 and $125,000.00 The final compensation offered will depend on several factors that may include, but are not limited to, the type and years of relevant experience, industry-specific experience, relevant education/certifications and geographic location.

Our total compensation package also includes a competitive bonus plus comprehensive benefits such as health insurance, retirement savings with company match, life insurance, disability benefits, employee assistance program, paid time off, paid holidays, paid parental leave, health and wellness reimbursement, tuition reimbursement, scholarship program, employee referral bonus, volunteer time off benefit, charitable gift match program and more.

Key Responsibilities Include, But Are Not Limited To:

• Assist Lead and participate in the daily maintenance, management, and modification of the software logics and modules, including network equipment for all related real-time operational computer systems including PLCs, operator consoles, Remote Terminal Units (RTUs) and associated interface equipment used to control and monitor the generation facilities as well as the facilities' security access control and monitoring systems;
• Understand Control System network architecture and provide technical resolutions related to PLC, SCADA, HMI, historian, and wireless communication to support daily maintenance and troubleshooting activities;
• Assist implementing regulatory compliance requirements for Cyber-security related issues, includes control device firmware upgrade and PLC intrusion alarm incorporation;
• Lead capital projects execution including establishing user requirements, creation of bid documents, evaluating proposals, reviewing engineering documentation, participating FAT/SAT test and commissioning;
• Ability to understand system operating principles required to effectively troubleshoot, modify, monitor and maintain safe and reliable automation, monitoring and data collection systems;
• Maintain and develop procedures for effective operation, utilization, and disaster recovery for SCADA, HMI, security access control and monitoring systems, and network applications system;
• Analyze and resolve system hardware and software problems involving station instrumentation, I/Os and power supply modules and network communications;
• Integrate, install and test controls and network systems according to current generation station standards in a production plant environment, observing all generation station safety and work control procedures;
• Revise existing ladder logics, systems configurations, and procedures to correct deficiencies, and conduct appropriate software and/or hardware tests after revisions to ensure the correct operation of revised systems;
• Assist with development of short-term and long-term plans for real-time operating systems and security access control and monitoring system upgrades;
• Maintain and review data and reports as required by policy and regulatory requirements for cybersecurity compliance related matters;
• Design, implement, and maintain secure network architectures to protect Operational Technology (OT), SCADA, and PLC/DCS systems from cyber threats;
• Conduct routine vulnerability assessments, patch management, and security audits on industrial control networks, field instrumentation, and HMI/SCADA servers;
• Work with and coordinate work done by vendors;
• Comply with all FirstLight policies and procedures;
• Carries out other duties as assigned.

Job Qualifications / Skills

• Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, computer engineering, computer science or similar;
• 3+ years' experience related to SCADA/EMS, PLC, DCS, Power System Control including a strong background in instrumentation and control systems engineering;
• Experience with GE Fanuc, and Allen Bradley PLC's is preferred;
• Working knowledge of the following software: AutoCAD suite of products (LT, Electrical, Vault, Raster Design), Wonderware suite of products (Intouch, Historian), AVEVA PI historian & Visio as well as programing languages and relational databases;
• Strong problem-solving skills including knowledge of system and software debugging methods to minimize troubleshooting time to return plant control systems to full service when problems occur;
• Knowledge of North American Electric Reliability Council (NERC), Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) regulations and ISO-NE is a plus;
• Working knowledge of basic electrical and communications test equipment;
• Experience building, maintaining and optimizing computer networks;
• Strong initiative and ability to work with minimum supervision;
• Ability to analyze information, determine relevant facts, and make decisions in a timely and cost-effective manner;
• Demonstrated skills in the areas of planning, organizing, and project management;
• Strong commitment toward adherence to high standards and best work practices;
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Physical Requirements

• Standing, walking, balancing, sitting, climbing (ladders, stairs, ramps, catwalks, stacks and the like as required), stooping, squatting, crouching, crawling, kneeling, reaching, grasping, pushing, pulling, lifting (max. 50lbs);
• Visual acuity to accurately read and interpret items such as, but not limited to, instruments, gauges, manuals and drawings;
• Ability to work in a confined space (crawl spaces, shafts, small, enclosed areas, pipes and the like) as required;
• Perform work at various heights and in adverse conditions during operations, shutdowns, and emergency activities;
• Must be physically capable of wearing protective equipment (PPE) including, but not limited to, half and full-face respirators, fall protection equipment, hardhat, safety shoes, safety glasses etc.;

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. Some of our benefits for eligible employees include:

• Comprehensive Medical, Dental, Vision, Life and Disability Insurance
• Paid Parental Leave
• Health and Wellness Programs
• Mental Health Care
• 401(k) with Employer Matching
• Flexible Spending Account
• Health Savings Account
• Annual Performance Incentive Plan
• Employee Assistance Program
• Generous Paid Time Off Plan
• Paid Holidays
• Professional Development
• Employee Referral Program
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Charitable Matching Program & Employer Sponsored Volunteer Program

FirstLight provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, gender, age, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, disability, genetics, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by state, federal and local laws. In addition to federal law requirements, FirstLight complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.

FirstLight's values are:

Respect - Integrity - Safety - Excellence - Innovation - Team

Join Our Team!

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