Control Systems Specialist

NRG Energy
United States, Texas, Houston
Jun 17, 2025
As an NRG employee, we encourage you to take charge of your career and development journey. We invite you to explore exciting opportunities across our businesses. You'll find that our dynamic work environment provides variety and challenge. Your growth is key to our ongoing success-take the lead in shaping your career development, goals and future! Responsibilities: Reviews system operations and takes measurements. Balances system control needs with those of the power plants. Ensures company resources are used in a cost-effective manner. Supports and emphasizes the importance of proper power system control and ensures compliance with ERCOT Protocols and Guidelines and NERC Standards and Guidelines. Participates and/or leads teams that focus on specific problem areas or needs of generating units. Initiates/participates in continuous improvement planning and implementation in assigned area of responsibility. Prepare written reports in assigned area of responsibility. May be required to direct the work activities of others. Recognizes problems and is proactive in helping to resolve them. Ensures that all control system software and database modifications produce their intended results. Analyzes performance of Energy Management System and equipment. Independently troubleshoots, tunes, and optimizes Energy Management System generation controls. Performs root cause analysis of Energy Management System control systems and equipment. Analyzes control system designs and strategies for Energy Management System and power plant systems. Analyzes Energy Management System to solve operational and maintenance problems. Analyze power plant and system performance during normal and off-normal (system disturbance) conditions. Provide reports to management as needed about these events. Verifies that existing design calculations and assumptions are correct. Documents control changes and prepare and/or update operating instructions. Prepare and conduct training to desk and plant personnel as needed on various Energy Management System and Systems Controls Topics. Attend and represent NRG at ERCOT and NERC meetings as directed by management. Qualifications: Bachelor's degree in engineering, or other relevant degree or equivalent military or industry expierence. Applicants must have experience in power plant instrumentation and control systems and equipment, as well as experience in power plant operations. NERC RC Certified Ability to understand and interpret software and hardware design and specifications. Knowledge of and ability to apply applicable industry and NRG standards and codes. Ability to use PC and associated software applications to collect and analyze data and produce spreadsheets, databases, and reports. Specifically, Microsoft Excel and OSIsoft's PI and PI process book. Ability to effectively communicate technical concepts (verbal and written) Ability to establish and maintain a positive and professional working relationship with all individuals. Ability to perform as a team member or leader in a cross-functional team environment and achieve consensus decisions. Ability to support and maintain schedule on several concurrent assignments. Basic understanding of the processes, systems, assets, resources, key personnel, and business functions of NRG. Ability to read, create and follow written policies and procedures. Knowledge of applicable safety and environmental regulations. Detailed knowledge of power plant process systems, major equipment characteristics, equipment interactions and plant operations. Ability to perform standard calculations using advanced mathematics. Comprehensive knowledge of power plant boiler control, gas metering/control, and/or burner control systems - both hardware and logic/control strategy. Uses and maintains technical and professional knowledge, share that knowledge with others, and recognizes/applies new technology in a cost-effective manner. Obtains and applies knowledge of competitive business practices in daily work activities and decision making. Seeks and understands the customer/client's needs and focuses on meeting and exceeding their expectations. Anticipates and accepts changes in the organization and adapts to meet the new requirements. Committed to making the workplace safe and environmentally sound. Willing to accept accountability for own decisions, performance and behavior. Candidates will be hired based upon their experience, knowledge, skill, and ability to add value to the company. Candidates must be able to work a 12-hour shift schedule as part of a 24 hour, 7 days a week operation. Candidates must be able to fulfill storm/event duty requirements. This job requires working during hurricane, winter storms and other possible catastrophic event conditions. Persons in this role may be required to report to the storm/event duty location(s) and perform the job functions as required. This may include extended shifts as necessary until storm or event conditions reside. This job description reflects an assignment of essential functions; it does not prescribe or restrict the tasks that may be assigned. Other duties and tasks may be assigned to this job at the Company's discretion. NRG Energy is committed to a drug and alcohol-free workplace. To the extent permitted by law and any applicable collective bargaining agreement, employees are subject to periodic random drug testing, and post-accident and reasonable suspicion drug and alcohol testing. EOE AA M/F/Vet/Disability. Level, Title and/or Salary may be adjusted based on the applicant's experience or skills. Official description on file with Talent.