Instrumentation, Controls, and Electrical (IC&E) Technician

Chalk Point Generation Station, located in Aquasco, Maryland, is a major power generation facility with a total capacity of approximately 1618 MW. The station comprises nine units, including seven gas turbines, and two steam turbines. This configuration allows the station to effectively meet regional energy demands.

Opportunity Summary

The Instrumentation, Controls, and Electrical (IC&E) Technician plays a critical role in ensuring the reliable operation of power plant instrumentation, control systems, and electrical equipment through expert calibration, maintenance, and troubleshooting. This position involves performing both routine and emergency maintenance on systems such as Programmable Logic Controller (PLC), Distributed Control Systems (DCS), and Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA), as well as ensuring the proper operation of turbine controls and electrical switchgear. The technician will work closely with engineers and other departments to maintain plant efficiency and safety while adhering to industry standards and protocols.

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

- Calibrates, tests, maintains, troubleshoots, and installs power plant instrumentation, control systems, and electrical systems. This includes control valves, fan dampers, conveyor systems, variable speed drives, motors, battery chargers, inverters, transmitters, analyzers, shop calibration equipment, and instrumentation specific to natural gas-fired combined cycle plants, such as combustion turbines, HRSGs, and steam turbines.

- Performs corrective, preventive, predictive, and emergency maintenance on electrical systems, including 13.8KV and 4160-volt switchgear, motors, control centers, transformers, batteries, inverters, chargers, and main generator excitation equipment in modern power stations.

- Maintains, troubleshoots, and optimizes PLC systems by conducting inspections, diagnosing faults, fine-tuning programs, and collaborating with engineers to enhance system performance.

- Maintains and monitors DCS and SCADA systems, ensuring proper operation and troubleshooting faults to maintain optimal plant performance.

- Calibrates, maintains, and troubleshoots turbine control systems, ensuring the proper operation of steam and combustion turbines, and collaborates with engineers to resolve issues and improve efficiency.

- Coordinates with other departments to ensure efficient maintenance operations and minimize downtime.

- Installs new equipment and modifications while adhering to safety protocols and industry standards.

- Maintains, cleans, and properly stores shop equipment and tools, including specialized tools for instrumentation and electrical maintenance.

- Keeps detailed logs of issues, repairs, and downtime, and updates plant drawings, databases, vendor information, calibration records, and other station documentation.

- Implements safe work practices, identifies hazards, and recommends or initiates repairs to maintain a safe working environment.

- Assists the Plant Engineer with plant testing, including turbine controls, combustion control processes, and boiler control systems.

- Works with outside contractors during overhauls and other projects, providing technical guidance and oversight on instrumentation and control work.

- Handles and disposes of hazardous waste, such as batteries and fluorescent bulbs, in accordance with safety regulations.

- Performs additional tasks as assigned to support efficient plant operations.

NAES Safe

Safety is a core value of NAES and as a condition of employment, all employees are expected to be mentally alert and work safely at all times. Additionally, employees are required to adhere to all safety warnings and posted safety signs whenever on company property. Furthermore, employees must follow all NAES safety rules and procedures. Effectiveness in carrying out this responsibility is part of the evaluation of each employee’s performance.

Working Relationships

The IC&E Technician reports directly to the Maintenance 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

Physical requirements include standing for extended periods of time, climbing stairs and ladders, working from elevated platforms and walkways at varying heights, and routinely lifting up to 50 pounds.

Power plant environment that may involve entering confined spaces, crawling through narrow areas, and handling hazardous materials, with exposure to fumes, extreme temperatures, and noise. Work may include high heat near equipment and varying outdoor weather conditions.

Some duties may require the use of protective equipment, which can include hard hats, safety glasses, and eye protection, air masks/respirators, ear protection, chemical suits, flame-resistant clothing (FRC), hot gloves, high-voltage protective gear, and fall protection. Fit testing for respirators may be required. Strict smoking restrictions apply 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

The IC&E Technician works a 4x10 day shift schedule, ensuring consistent plant operation and support during regular business hours. This position will also occasionally necessitate extended working hours and flexible shifts as needed, including weekends and holidays, in response to schedules, workload demands, and plant conditions. Periodic callouts or “On call” status will also be required.

Compensation

This position offers a base pay rate of $58 per hour.

Core Qualifications and Skills

- High school education, providing a foundational understanding of procedures and instructions. Associate Degree in a technical field, especially with electrical skills, is advantageous.

- Experience in power plants or industrial settings preferred, with familiarity in operations, safety protocols, and equipment.

- Thorough knowledge and experience troubleshooting and repairing electrical systems, including high voltage switchgear, motors, control centers, transformers, batteries, inverters, chargers, and generator excitation equipment.

- Comprehensive knowledge and practical experience in maintaining and troubleshooting instrumentation systems in modern combined-cycle plants, with hands-on experience in combustion turbines, HRSG, steam turbine, and supporting controls including burner management, combustion control, boiler controls, turbine controls, and condition monitoring.

- Understanding of burner management systems, combustion control processes, and boiler control systems to maximize efficiency and safety during power generation.

- Hands-on expertise in turbine operations and PLCs, including start-up, shutdown, and performance adjustments to sustain peak reliability of combustion turbines and the steam turbine.

- Skilled in performing routine inspections and preventive maintenance on critical electrical equipment to ensure reliable operation and safety compliance.

- Experience collaborating with cross-functional teams, contractors, and vendors to coordinate maintenance activities, procure necessary resources, and ensure timely completion of projects, supporting the continuous operation of the power facility.

- Strong written and oral communication skills, with the analytical and mathematical aptitude to present technical information, conclusions, and recommendations effectively.

- 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, and engineering services for energy facilities. We have built a reputation as a reliable partner for clients in North America and internationally, offering services across the power generation, oil and gas, and renewable energy sectors. Our growing family of companies allows us to address the entire life cycle of power generation and other industrial plants.

NAES is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace. We prioritize selecting employees based on merit and competence, seeking individuals of the highest quality, without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, disability, military status, or affiliation protected under USERRA, or any other form of discrimination prohibited by applicable local, state, and federal law.

Experience

Preferred

- Experience in power plants or industrial settings preferred, with familiarity in operations, safety protocols, and equipment.

- Thorough knowledge and experience troubleshooting and repairing electrical systems, including high voltage switchgear, motors, control centers, transformers, batteries, inverters, chargers, and generator excitation equipment.

- Comprehensive knowledge and practical experience in maintaining and troubleshooting instrumentation systems in modern combined-cycle plants, with hands-on experience in combustion turbines, HRSG, steam turbine, and supporting controls including burner management, combustion control, boiler controls, turbine controls, and condition monitoring.

- Understanding of burner management systems, combustion control processes, and boiler control systems to maximize efficiency and safety during power generation.

- Hands-on expertise in turbine operations and PLCs, including start-up, shutdown, and performance adjustments to sustain peak reliability of combustion turbines and the steam turbine.

- Skilled in performing routine inspections and preventive maintenance on critical electrical equipment to ensure reliable operation and safety compliance.

- Experience collaborating with cross-functional teams, contractors, and vendors to coordinate maintenance activities, procure necessary resources, and ensure timely completion of projects, supporting the continuous operation of the power facility.

- Strong written and oral communication skills, with the analytical and mathematical aptitude to present technical information, conclusions, and recommendations effectively.

Education

Required

- High School or better

Preferred

- Associates or better in Instrumentation & Control Technology or related field

Licenses & Certifications

Required

- Driver's License

Skills

Preferred

- Safety Policies and Procedures

- IC&E - Electric, Instrument &Cnrls

- High Voltage

- Electrical Hazard Awareness

- Electrical Controls

- Electrical Systems

- Instrumentation

- DCS - Distributed Control System

- PLC - Programmable Logic Controller

- Piping&Instrumentation Schematics-Read&Interp

- Piping & Instrumentation Design (P&ID)

- Reading blueprints

- Troubleshooting

- Verbal and Written Communications

Behaviors

Preferred

- Detail Oriented: Capable of carrying out a given task with all details necessary to get the task done well

- Innovative: Consistently introduces new ideas and demonstrates original thinking

- Functional Expert: Considered a thought leader on a subject

Equal Opportunity Employer

This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.