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 Instrumentation & Controls Engineer to join our strong engineering team at our Northfield, MA location. This is a hybrid position.
The Instrumentation and Controls Engineer reports to the Director, Asset Management and is responsible for maintaining network and control systems that allow FirstLight’s personnel to operate and maintain plant equipment and peripherals effectively. Work duties will primarily be in Northfield, MA but may include occasional travel to FirstLight assets in other states. Scope of work includes instrumentation and maintenance operation support; troubleshooting, support of cyber security, compliance and capital project management.
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:
- 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 and SCADA, 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;
- Provide technical support for the daily maintenance and troubleshooting activities for the control systems to ensure plant equipment continued operation;
- Ability to understand system operating principles required to effectively troubleshoot, modify, monitor and maintain a safe and reliable automation, monitoring and data collection systems;
- Maintain existing operations computer systems (hardware, software, network, and security implementation) and develop new systems to accommodate changes in methodologies, procedures, and regulatory requirements;
- Maintain and improve existing real-time operation systems, security access control and monitoring systems databases at a level consistent with best practices and reliability standards;
- 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;
- Use appropriate techniques to maintain the integrity and security of collected data;
- 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 insure 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;
- Prepare and review technical specifications and initiate budgetary proposals for acquiring additional or replacement hardware and/or software for real-time systems, and monitoring systems, as well as personal computers and local area network equipment;
- Work with and coordinate vendors as needed;
- Perform other tasks as assigned;
- Complies with all FirstLight policies and procedures.
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, or a strong background in instrumentation and control systems engineering;
- 3+ years’ experience with the design, implementation, and/or maintenance of instrumentation and control systems in a production environment;
- Experience with GE Fanuc and Allen Bradley PLC’s is preferred;
- Experience with administration of Aveva (formly OSIsoft) PI systems is preferred;
- Working knowledge of the following software is desired: AutoCAD suite of products (LT, Electrical, Vault, Raster Design), Wonderware suite of products (Intouch, 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 wiring techniques, cable terminations and basic electrical and communications test equipment;
- Prior experience quickly responding to changes in generation station operating requirements with appropriate system hardware and software modifications;
- Experience building, maintaining and optimizing computer networks is a plus;
- Strong sense of initiative and independence with strong analytical skills;
- 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.
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
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