Control Systems Engineer

The Metropolitan District Commission (MDC) provides quality water supply, water pollution control, mapping, and household hazardous waste collection to eight member municipalities: Bloomfield, East Hartford, Hartford, Newington, Rocky Hill, West Hartford, Wethersfield and Windsor. Additionally, the MDC provides drinking water to portions of Farmington, Glastonbury, East Granby and South Windsor, known as the MDC's non-member towns.

JOB SUMMARY

Control System Engineers are responsible for managing, designing, implementing and supporting the automation & process control infrastructure for water and wastewater systems and develop and implement the District's Capital Improvement Programs. Provide expert assistance and collaborate in creating and reviewing engineering plans, designs, monitoring, building commissioning and operation of automation & process control systems. Understand and apply new technological systems and multiple vendor products to develop and support innovative system solutions that match operational and business requirements. Lead in the development of standards, practices and policies related to the installation, maintenance and operations of automation & process control systems. Develop, deploy and maintain standard and custom programming and configuration code for the automation & process control systems. Provide second level support for maintaining and troubleshooting the automation & process control infrastructure, which includes on call as well as on site when required. Manage automation & process control system projects as required. Perform quality assurance checks of automation & process control systems as required. Lead the development and the maintenance and integration of computerized maintenance management systems (CMMS). Manage direct reports as required.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

The following duties are normal for this position. The omission of specific statements of the duties does not exclude them from the classification if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment for this classification. Other duties may be required and assigned.

• Oversee preparation of short and mid-term Capital Improvement Program plan including facility condition assessment reports, maintenance inspection reports and shutdown and plant coordination requirements.
• Work collaboratively with design engineers, operations personnel and other District staff on the design, review, inspection, commissioning / start-up and operation of projects that include process control equipment and systems.
• Ability to administer projects from conception to start-up within scope, budget and schedule using project management methodology.
• Develop programming and configuration code for process control systems, make changes to existing programs, review work performed by contractors, participate in factory witness testing, and coordinate control system issues between District Engineering, the contractor, and District Operations.
• Review control logic strategies and implement programming changes to optimize control strategies for water/wastewater supply, distribution, treatment and collection processes and automate as appropriate.
• Create and maintain security protocols, firewalls and access for field and operator Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) access for field devices in conjunction with the District's Information Technology department. Provide virus and malicious software protection, and intrusion alert systems with the support of the District's Information Technology department.
• Work collaboratively with District Engineering and Information Technology staff to support, maintain, and add to the District Computer Maintenance Management System (CMMS) and SCADA system.
• Develop schedules project plans and tasks; identify and pro-actively manage critical path tasks; set and meet interim project goals; set and manage project contingency; and perform change control and all other associated project management efforts needed to ensure that project schedule and budget are met.
• Develop and/or coordinate maintenance activities on process control equipment and/or systems.
• Identify upgrades and replacement of hardware and software, develop capital needs assessment and report findings for inclusion in funding requests.
• Troubleshoot and resolve process control system issues as required.
• Investigate and recommend new technological developments and processes to hardware and software platforms.
• Research, recommend and implement systems to enhance control systems functionality and reliability.
• Advise, instruct, and assist District Maintenance and Operations staff on proper operation and maintenance of Process Control equipment and systems. Provide technical instruction as required.
• Work with maintenance and operations staff to develop and implement policies, standards, practices and guidelines for all phases of process control implementation, operation and maintenance including enhancement of maintenance strategies related to condition based maintenance and predictive maintenance.
• Work with members of District Staff to enforce compliance with mandatory process control policies and procedures.
• Make recommendations to change standards and methods to improve processes and efficiencies.
• Provide support for Instrumentation and Controls Systems Technicians or Electrical and Electronic Technicians as required.
• Ensure compliance with the Change Management process.
• Enforce process control system life cycle practices.

• Develop and maintain relationship with Process Control vendors to keep current with changes in operational control systems. Review vendor specifications, report findings and make recommendations.

• Performs other related duties as required.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED

Works under the general direction of the Manager of Maintenance.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Bachelor's degree in related field. Minimum of ten (10) years previous experience in the maintenance, troubleshooting, calibration, repair and installation of Process Control Systems (SCADA and DCS), configuration and programming of PLCs / RTUs (Allen – Bradley, Modicon, Rockwell Automation, Siemens, Emerson) and HMIs (Iconics, Intellution (iFix), Wonderware), control and instrumentation loops or any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience which provides the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities for this job.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

Experience with data communications systems, protocols, wired and wireless network systems, and radio telemetry desired.

Must obtain an Automation Professional Certificate (CAP) or Control Systems Technician Certificate, Level II (CCST) within 18 months of placement.

Must have a valid driver's license.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Strong knowledge of Piping and Instrumentation (P&ID) drawings, control system drawings, instrument specifications and feedback loop diagrams.
• Working knowledge of industrial control system platforms including Programmable Logic Controllers (PLC) / Distributed Control System (DCS) / Human Machine Interface (HMI) programming, design, construction, commissioning, configuration and implementation.
• Knowledge of process computers and data collection methods.
• Understanding of computer networking technology, telemetry methods and historical archiving databases.
• Strong knowledge of project management and application development methodologies and tools.
• Knowledge of business applications, Microsoft Office products and productivity tools (e.g. MS Word, MS Project, Excel, PowerPoint, Visio).
• Demonstrative knowledge of engineering concepts and their application in water/wastewater equipment and systems operations preferred.
• Working knowledge of electrical, electronic, computer, communication, mechanical and instrumentation process control equipment and systems.
• Strong knowledge of Process improvement and management methodologies including but not limited Lean
• Demonstrated ability to configure programmable process controllers Programmable Logic Controllers / Remote Terminal Units (Allen Bradley, Modicon, Rockwell Automation, Siemens, Emerson)
• Demonstrated ability to configure HMI with Iconics, Intellution (iFix), or Wonderware.
• Ability to develop Process Control Functional descriptions.
• Demonstrated ability to solve complex process control problems related to water/wastewater systems.
• Proficient with identifying, planning, scheduling, conducting, and coordinating detailed phases of Capital Projects.
• Proficient with data communications systems, protocols, wired and wireless network systems, and radio telemetry.
• Strong organizational and time management skills with attention to detail.
• Excellent interpersonal and people management skills (e.g. listening, coaching, facilitating, tact/diplomacy, employee relations, development, motivation, team building)
• Ability to prioritize and manage multiple projects simultaneously and adapt to changes in priorities efficiently.
• Ability to participate heavily in process improvement projects.
• Excellent client relations skills and customer service orientation.
• Excellent planning, time management and organization skills.
• Good verbal and written communications skills, including presentation expertise and the ability to communicate complex issues clearly.
• Rapidly assesses options and likely consequences when under time pressure to make decisions or solve problems.
• Knowledge of Computer Maintenance Management Systems and applications working in SAP Enterprise Asset Management

The MDC seeks to enhance the diversity of its workforce. People of color, women, veterans and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply. The selected candidate will undergo an internal background check.