Senior PLC Technician

Job Description:

• Plan, organize, and execute complex field assignments involving paralleling switchgear and PLC/relay transfer schemes during pre-startup, startup, commissioning, modifications, preventive maintenance, and emergency troubleshooting
• Lead functional and integrated testing of emergency/standby power systems, including transition sequences, transfers, load add/shed, utility-generator paralleling, import/export, and baseload applications
• Configure, verify, and troubleshoot generator controls, load-sharing systems, protective relays, switchgear controls, meters, breakers, PLCs, HMIs/ACS platforms, and communications
• Perform advanced troubleshooting and authorized modifications of PLC ladder logic, PLC I/O, communications, sequencing, and ACS parameters using approved engineering documentation and change-control practices
• Establish and troubleshoot Modbus, PLC-to-PLC, redundant PLC, remote PLC, PLC-to-ACS, and customer BMS/EPMS/SCADA communications
• Interpret one-line diagrams, schematics, interconnection drawings, sequence-of-operations documents, coordination studies, settings files, and commissioning procedures
• Lead on-site technical execution, coordinate daily work, communicate status and risks, manage punch-list closure, and support on-time, on-budget completion
• Direct and mentor junior field engineers and technicians and provide coaching on safe execution, troubleshooting, documentation, and customer communication
• Act as a senior escalation resource for remote and on-site troubleshooting, including emergency response
• Complete field service reports, startup checklists, redlines, test documentation, software backups, time entry, expense reporting, and customer-facing status updates
• Protect ABB and customer assets, control job costs, and identify opportunities to improve quality, productivity, and service delivery
• Build customer relationships by translating technical findings into clear actions, recommendations, risks, and recovery plans

Requirements:

• High school diploma or GED with 7+ years of relevant field experience, or an associate or bachelor degree with 5+ years in a related field
• Demonstrated independent field capability on highly complex assignments
• Advanced experience with low- and medium-voltage switchgear, circuit breakers, protective relays, generator controls, PLC-based controls, HMIs/ACS, industrial networking, and mission-critical power systems
• Hands-on experience leading startup and commissioning activities, coordinating energization and switching, troubleshooting under schedule pressure, and directing multi-person site teams
• Ability to read, interpret, and redline complex electrical and control drawings and apply approved engineering methods in the field
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, customer communication, technical reporting, and field leadership skills
• Ability and willingness to travel extensively within the United States and remain at customer sites for extended assignments
• Ability to meet ABB and customer site access, electrical safety, training, and personal protective equipment requirements
• Authorization to work in the United States without requiring ABB sponsorship, where applicable
• Preferred experience with ABB Energy Commander or comparable paralleling switchgear and controls
• Preferred experience with GE/Emerson RX3i PLCs and Proficy Machine Edition; ABB AC500 and Automation Builder; CP600 HMI/Panel Builder; Cimplicity or comparable supervisory platforms
• Preferred experience with Woodward EasyGen and LS5 generator controls and load-sharing systems
• Preferred experience with ABB, SEL/Schweitzer, Multilin, Basler, or Woodward protective relays and associated testing/configuration tools
• Experience with Modbus, industrial Ethernet, fiber-optic networks, redundant control networks, BMS, EPMS, and SCADA integration
• Experience with breaker testing, CT/PT verification, relay testing, primary/secondary injection, turns-ratio, winding-resistance, insulation, power-factor, hipot, phase-rotation, and related commissioning test equipment
• Experience with utility paralleling, emergency standby generation, complex load management, data center commissioning, and coordination with third-party commissioning agents

Benefits:

• Comprehensive travel accommodations, lodging, and per diem
• Choice between two medical plan options: a PPO plan called the Copay Plan OR a High Deductible Health Plan (with a Health Savings Account) called the High Deductible Plan
• Choice between two dental plan options: Core and Core Plus
• Vision benefit
• Company paid life insurance (2X base pay)
• Company paid AD&D (1X base pay)
• Voluntary life and AD&D – 100% employee paid up to maximums
• Short Term Disability – up to 26 weeks – Company paid
• Long Term Disability – 60% of pay – Company paid; ability to “buy-up” to 66 2/3% of pay
• Supplemental benefits – 100% employee paid (Accident insurance, hospital indemnity, critical illness, pet insurance)
• Parental Leave – up to 6 weeks
• Employee Assistance Program
• Health Advocate support resources for mental/behavioral health, general health navigation and virtual health, and infertility/adoption
• Employee discount program
• 401k Savings Plan with Company Contributions
• Employee Stock Acquisition Plan (ESAP)
• 11 paid holidays
• Vacation based on years of service for hourly and non-exempt positions