Energy Plant Controls Engineer

The Energy Plant Controls Engineer within Facilities Operations Engineering and Campus Energy is a key team member of the Facilities organization. The Energy Plant Controls Engineer works collaboratively with the Chief Engineer and Assistant Chief Engineer and is responsible for supporting the automated control systems for two (2) Geo-Exchange plants with chilled water and hot water storage tanks, one (1) Cogeneration Plant with integrated steam-driven and electric chilled water generation and chilled water storage and one (1) data center plant. These plants are integrated and operated to provide energy services to the campus while minimizing cost and carbon footprint. The Energy Plant Controls Engineer is responsible for identifying, developing, and implementing process and system improvements, and supporting plant operations (teaching), supporting construction and upgrade projects, supporting vendors, and troubleshooting. The Engineer provides technical expertise in the operation of control system hardware, software, instrumentation, and communication.

The successful candidate will provide in-house expertise and (technical and operational) support for our industrial control systems in the energy plants and must have expertise in control system strategies, instrumentation, drive and motor control, trending, and data analysis.

This work includes responding to emergencies anytime during the day, night, or weekends. 

Utility plants and infrastructure

• Supports the university's energy plants, including cogeneration, chiller, and geo-exchange facilities, ensuring safe, compliant, reliable, and efficient operations. Responsibilities include supporting operations by identifying, troubleshooting, and resolving issues in and around the control system, providing training on new and updated systems.
• Promotes team cohesion by collaborating with operators and plant management to identify areas for process or automation improvement and developing or overseeing implementation of improvements.

Campus Energy and Sustainability

• Plays a supporting role in the development, implementation, and execution of the university's strategy for eliminating fossil fuel usage, carbon emissions, and reducing energy cost, which includes ongoing implementation of geo-exchange heat pumps and conversion from steam to hot water.
• Manages and coordinates access to energy plant data needed to support continued monitoring, tracking, and reporting on energy production and efficiency.
• Helps to ensure the reliability of plant operations by managing and maintaining backups of all applications and configurations necessary for disaster recovery.
• Acts as the University representative for testing and acceptance of control systems.

Stakeholder Engagement 

• Actively partner with the Facilities Operation team to foster communication and collaboration, including assisting and/or advising Facilities Operation team members on automation projects outside of the plant environment. 

ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS:

• Associate’s degree in engineering (Mechanical or Electrical), Electronics, or related field and 5 years or more of progressive experience in the design and or support of energy plant controls and operation (boilers, chillers, cooling towers, and common plant components); or an equivalent combination of education and experience

• Requires thorough understanding of utility plant operation and the skills to analyze alarm logs and operational data

• Demonstrated success in a team environment with proven skills to effectively engage, advocate for, and motivate a diverse workforce.
• Strong ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing
• Ability to successfully manage multiple tasks at once and determine appropriate priorities.
• Ability to read, interpret, and understand construction documents, product specifications, sequences of operation, control drawings, and other technical data.
• Proficient in the use of business application software
• Troubleshooting of control systems, low voltage wiring, pneumatics, and electro-mechanical devices
• Highly proficient in Rockwell Logix 5000 controller programming, including redundancy.
• Highly proficient in Ethernet IP, Modbus, and ControlNet communication
• Highly proficient in WonderWare System Platform operation, configuration, and administration
• Proficient in Windows, Linux operating systems administration
• Support and maintain high availability/redundant networks and hardware. 
• Able to stay updated on industry best practices and trends in control hardware, software, instrumentation, and cyber security, engaging with trade associations and attending conferences to monitor developments.  

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering (Mechanical or Electrical), Physics, or related field and 10 years or more of progressive experience in the design and or support of energy plant controls and operation (boilers, chillers, cooling towers, and common plant components); or an equivalent combination of education and experience
• Proficient in managing Firewall/Cybersecurity hardware, software, and current best practices
• Proficient in managing, maintaining, and deploying Virtualized operating systems
• Experience with industrial-scale heat pumps, thermal storage, diesel generators, megawatt-scale batteries, and geo-exchange technologies
• Prior experience in a higher education residential campus setting
• Certified Energy Manager, ISA, or other relevant accreditations

Princeton University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. KNOW YOUR RIGHTS