Job Summary
The Principal Hydroelectric Pumped Storage Engineer provides engineering expertise for the operation, maintenance, modernization, and reliability improvement of hydroelectric pumped storage generating facilities. This position requires extensive knowledge of plant operations, turbine-generator controls, governor systems, excitation systems, Distributed Control Systems (DCS), and industry standards including IEEE Std 1010, Guide for Control of Hydroelectric Power Plants.
Responsibilities
- Analyze plant operating issues and develop corrective actions.
- Support unit start-up, shutdown, synchronization, and operating sequence improvements.
- Review operating procedures and recommend enhancements for safety and reliability.
- Lead modernization projects involving the replacement of legacy relay-based control systems with distributed control systems (DCS).
- Evaluate existing relay logic, hardwired control schemes, and electromechanical sequencing circuits and translate them into modern software-based control logic.
- Develop control narratives, functional design specifications, and sequence-of-operation documentation for digital control implementations.
- Review and validate conversion of unit startup, shutdown, synchronization, load control, and protection interface functions from relay-based systems to modern DCS architectures.
- Support Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT), Site Acceptance Testing (SAT), commissioning, and operational readiness reviews.
- Coordinate with Operations and Maintenance personnel to ensure digital control systems support established plant operating practices and reliability objectives.
- Verify compliance with hydroelectric control system industry practices as defined in IEEE Std 1010, including unit control, monitoring, local/remote operation, centralized control, and control system interfaces.
- Develop and review control logic narratives and sequence of operation documents.
- Implement control system upgrades and modernization projects.
Skills/Qualifications
- Direct experience modernizing hydroelectric pumped storage generating units from relay-based controls to systems like Emerson Ovation.
- Experience replacing generator start/stop relay logic, auxiliary system relay controls, governor control systems, excitation control systems, and synchronizing systems.
- Knowledge of turbine-generator operational sequencing and the interaction between control, protection, and monitoring systems.
- Experience developing and reviewing control logic diagrams and I/O databases.
- Minimum 8 years of experience in power generation, hydroelectric facilities, and industrial control systems.
- Working knowledge of hydroelectric pumped storage turbine-generator systems, governor systems, excitation systems, SCADA and DCS platforms, and protection and control systems.
- Experience with plant operations and troubleshooting.
- Experience with hydroelectric modernization projects.
- Familiarity with IEEE Std 1010 and IEEE Std 1249.
- Experience with Emerson Ovation DCS.
- Knowledge of NERC, FERC, utility operating requirements, and cybersecurity practices.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
- Proficiency in reviewing control logic diagrams, relay drawings, and HMI displays.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
Typical Deliverables
- Control philosophy documents
- Sequence of operation narratives
- Modernization project scopes
- Reliability improvement recommendations
- Control system cybersecurity assessments
Preferred Candidate Profile
The ideal candidate combines hands-on plant operating knowledge with control system engineering expertise and has successfully led or supported projects involving the migration of legacy hydroelectric relay control systems to modern digital DCS platforms. The candidate understands generating unit operating sequences, control room operations, alarm management, and control system architectures described in IEEE Std 1010.
IEEE 1010 Compliance and Application
- Apply the principles and guidance contained in IEEE Std 1010 for hydroelectric pumped storage control systems.
- Evaluate plant control philosophies and architectures against industry best practices.
- Review control interfaces, monitoring strategies, automation functions, and centralized control requirements.
Reliability and Performance Improvement
- Investigate equipment failures and recurring operational issues.
- Develop asset improvement plans to improve unit availability and efficiency.
- Analyze operational trends and recommend optimizations.
Education – Qualifications, Accreditation, Training
Required:
- Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Controls Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related discipline.
Preferred:
- Professional Engineer (PE) license.
Benefits
PEAK's benefit offerings available for our associates include medical, dental, vision, Flexible Spending Account (FSA), Dependent Care Savings Account (DCA), and 401K plan. PEAK believes that taking care of our team is essential for success and we are proud to provide benefits that enhance both your well-being and your future. Additionally, our associates may be eligible for Paid Sick Leave as required by Federal, State, or local laws.
Equal Opportunity Employer (EEO)
PEAK Technical Staffing is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment and is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. PEAK does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. All employment decisions are made based on qualifications, merit, and business need. We encourage all individuals to apply.
Americans Disabilities Act (ADA)
The physical and mental requirements described in this job description are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Must be able to perform the essential physical functions of the position, including sitting, standing, walking, stooping, kneeling, and lifting up to 25 pounds, with or without reasonable accommodation.
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