The Tejas Power Generation Facility is a 247 MW simple-cycle gas-fired facility featuring three LM6000 PC units totaling approximately 126 MW and a 121 MW Siemens 501 D5 gas turbine. Equipped with AGC, evaporative cooling, water injection for NOx control, SCR, and Allen-Bradley PLC controls, the plant supports peak energy demand within ERCOT's Houston Zone.
Opportunity Summary The Lead Instrumentation, Controls and Electrical (IC&E) Technician provides technical leadership for the maintenance, troubleshooting, and optimization of instrumentation, controls, and electrical systems at the Tejas simple-cycle power generation facility. This position leads complex work involving PLCs, turbine controls, instrumentation, and high-voltage electrical equipment while coordinating with plant personnel, contractors, OEMs, and engineering support.
The Lead IC&E Technician also mentors technical staff and supports projects, outages, and improvements that enhance equipment reliability and plant performance.
Your scope of responsibility as Lead IC&E Technician includes the following primary functions: - Lead the calibration, testing, troubleshooting, maintenance, and installation of plant instrumentation and controls, including transmitters, analyzers, control valves, variable speed drives, motors, and related equipment.
- Oversee preventive, predictive, corrective, and emergency maintenance of electrical systems, including 13.8 kV and 4160V switchgear, motor control centers, transformers, batteries, inverters, chargers, motors, generators, and excitation equipment.
- Troubleshoot and optimize Allen-Bradley PLCs, plant controls, and associated control logic, diagnosing complex faults and coordinating with engineering and OEM resources to improve system performance and reliability.
- Lead maintenance and troubleshooting of LM6000 and Siemens 501 D5 turbine controls, combustion controls, AGC, emissions-control systems, and related plant automation equipment.
- Support plant testing, startup, commissioning, outages, and equipment modifications, ensuring work is completed safely and in accordance with technical specifications and operating requirements.
- Coordinate IC&E work with Operations, Maintenance, Engineering, contractors, vendors, and OEMs to prioritize activities, minimize downtime, and support efficient project and maintenance execution.
- Provide technical leadership and mentorship to IC&E personnel, supporting troubleshooting, maintenance practices, projects, overhauls, and continuous development of team capabilities.
- Direct equipment installations and system modifications while ensuring compliance with plant procedures, electrical safety requirements, regulatory standards, and industry best practices.
- Maintain accurate technical documentation, including calibration and maintenance records, issue logs, equipment history, drawings, plant databases, and vendor information.
- Analyze equipment and system performance, identify recurring issues, and recommend or implement improvements that increase reliability, efficiency, availability, and equipment life.
- Promote safe and environmentally responsible work practices, including hazard identification, proper use and maintenance of tools and test equipment, and compliant handling and disposal of hazardous materials.
- Complete additional specialist projects and tasks as needed, supporting plant operations, maintenance, and engineering initiatives.
NAES Safe Safety is a core value at NAES, and as a condition of employment, all employees are expected to remain mentally alert and work safely at all times. Employees must also adhere to all safety warnings and posted signs while on company property. Additionally, they are required to follow all NAES safety rules and procedures. Adherence to these safety responsibilities is one of the key factors in the evaluation of each employee's performance.
Working Relationships The Lead IC&E Technician reports directly to the O&M Supervisor and receives general direction from plant management. This role involves interfacing with contractors and original equipment manufacturer (OEM) personnel to ensure necessary support and coordination.
Physical Requirements and Working Conditions Physical requirements include standing for extended periods of time, climbing stairs and ladders, working from elevated platforms and walkways at varying heights, and routinely lifting up to 50 pounds.
Power plant environment that may involve entering confined spaces, crawling through narrow areas, and handling hazardous materials, with exposure to fumes, extreme temperatures, and noise. Work may include high heat near equipment and varying outdoor weather conditions.
Some duties may require the use of protective equipment, which can include hard hats, safety glasses, and eye protection, air masks/respirators, ear protection, chemical suits, flame-resistant clothing (FRC), hot gloves, high-voltage protective gear, and fall protection. Fit testing for respirators may be required. Strict smoking restrictions apply in and around the facility.
Fitness for Duty All personnel will participate in the Fitness for Duty Program, which includes a post-offer physical examination, drug screening, and post-employment random drug screening.
Work Schedule The Lead IC&E Technician works a standard Monday to Friday day-shift schedule. This position will require extended hours, flexible shifts, weekends, and holidays as needed to support plant operations and business needs and may also require callout availability. Depending on the position, on-call status may or may not apply.
Compensation This position offers a base pay rate ranging from $50 to $60 per hour, along with eligibility for an annual performance bonus.
Core Qualifications and Skills - Associate degree in Plant Technology, Electrical Engineering Technology, Process Technology, or a related technical field is preferred. Relevant technical training, power generation, industrial, or military experience may be considered in lieu of education.
- Extensive electrical, instrumentation, or controls experience in power generation or a comparable industrial environment, including experience providing technical leadership or oversight.
- Advanced knowledge of electrical systems and equipment, including high-voltage switchgear, motor control centers, transformers, motors, batteries, inverters, chargers, generators, and excitation systems.
- Strong simple-cycle instrumentation and controls expertise involving LM6000 and Siemens 501 D5 combustion turbines, Allen-Bradley PLCs, turbine controls, combustion controls, AGC, emissions-control systems, and condition monitoring equipment.
- Demonstrated ability to troubleshoot complex electrical, instrumentation, and control system problems and lead preventive, predictive, corrective, and emergency maintenance activities.
- Experience supporting combustion turbine startup, shutdown, testing, commissioning, outages, equipment modifications, and performance optimization.
- Proven ability to lead and mentor technical personnel while coordinating contractors, vendors, OEMs, and cross-functional plant resources.
- Strong analytical, technical documentation, and communication skills, with the ability to evaluate system performance and recommend reliability and operational improvements.
- Must possess a valid, unrestricted U.S. driver's license and ensure it remains in good standing at all times.