Plainfield Renewable Energy (PRE) is a 37.5 MW wood biomass gasification power plant located in Plainfield, CT. Owned by Greenleaf Power and operated by NAES Corporation, the facility uses a single steam turbine and generator to produce renewable energy. PRE is equipped with advanced emissions control technologies, including a high-efficiency baghouse, and scrubbing systems to reduce NOx and sulfur dioxide.
Opportunity Summary
The Instrumentation, Controls, and Electrical (IC&E) Technician supports the safe, reliable, and efficient operation of Plainfield Renewable Energy. This position provides advanced expertise in calibrating, testing, and troubleshooting instrumentation, control systems, and electrical equipment vital to plant performance. The role includes maintaining and optimizing PLCs, DCS, SCADA, and turbine control systems integrated with the boiler, biomass fuel handling systems, emissions controls, and the steam turbine generator. Through skilled maintenance and system optimization, the IC&E Technician improves efficiency, reduces downtime, and ensures compliance with safety and environmental standards.
Your scope of responsibility as IC&E Technician includes the following primary functions:
- Perform calibration, testing, installation, troubleshooting, repair, and maintenance of instrumentation and control systems, including PLCs, DCS, control valves, fan dampers, conveyors, fuel feed systems, variable speed drives, transmitters, analyzers, and biomass-specific instrumentation to ensure reliable plant operation.
- Develop, update, and optimize PLC and DCS logic-based controls—including ladder and P&ID logic—in coordination with engineering staff to improve automation and enhance plant efficiency.
- Carry out corrective, preventive, predictive, and emergency maintenance on electrical systems, including switchgear, motor control centers, transformers, motors, batteries, inverters, chargers, generator excitation systems, and variable speed drives.
- Calibrate and maintain precision instruments such as pressure and temperature transmitters and stack CEMS equipment and perform plant wiring repairs and installations using diagnostic tools including Amprobes, multimeters, and oscilloscopes.
- Use DCS and SCADA systems to monitor and maintain the efficient operation of boilers, steam turbine generators, and emissions control systems.
- Conduct turbine control system calibration and performance checks to ensure efficient start-up, shutdown, and continuous operation of the steam turbine.
- Perform testing and tuning of boiler controls, combustion systems, turbine performance, and emissions reduction technologies to optimize plant performance and compliance.
- Coordinate contractors and vendors during outages and maintenance projects to ensure technical accuracy, schedule adherence, and safety compliance.
- Maintain accurate records of maintenance activities, calibration data, equipment modifications, plant drawings, and vendor documentation.
- Promote a strong safety culture by identifying hazards, applying safe work practices, and ensuring proper handling of hazardous materials in accordance with environmental and safety regulations.
- Support continuous improvement through root cause analysis (RCA), procedure refinement, reliability initiatives, and plant optimization efforts.
- Perform other duties as required to ensure the safe, efficient, and reliable operation of Plainfield Renewable Energy.
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 IC&E Technician reports directly to the Maintenance Manager 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 demands include standing for extended periods of time, climbing multiple levels of stairs, climbing ladders over 50 feet in height, entering and exiting equipment cabs, traversing uneven or elevated surfaces, and working inside confined spaces. The role routinely requires lifting up to 50 pounds and performing tasks from elevated platforms or walkways.
Work may be performed in conditions involving dust, wood particles, fumes, high noise levels, and extreme temperatures near operating equipment. Outdoor tasks in all weather conditions are required, including in high-heat environments adjacent to biomass processing systems.
The use of personal protective equipment (PPE) is mandatory and may include hard hats, safety glasses, hearing protection, gloves, high-visibility clothing, steel-toe boots, flame-resistant clothing (FRC), respirators, and fall protection. Fit testing for respirators may be required. Strict smoking restrictions are enforced in and around the facility to ensure plant safety and environmental compliance.
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 IC&E Technician works a standard Monday to Friday day shift schedule, ensuring consistent plant operation and support during regular business hours.
This position will also occasionally necessitate extended working hours and flexible shifts as needed, including weekends and holidays, in response to schedules, workload demands, and plant conditions. Periodic callouts or “On call” status will also be required.
Compensation
This position offers a base pay rate ranging from $42 to $52 per hour, along with an annual performance bonus.
Professional Expertise & Qualifications
We are looking for a highly skilled Technician with experience in power generation operations and maintenance, coupled with a proven ability to contribute effectively to team success and consistently meet performance standards.
- An Associate degree in Plant Technology, Mechanical Engineering Technology, Electrical Engineering Technology, Process Technology, or a related field is preferred. Alternatively, equivalent technical training in industrial maintenance or instrumentation and control is beneficial, though not required. Relevant industry or military experience may be considered in lieu of education.
- Demonstrated experience as a Technician in a power generation or industrial environment, with a proven record of supporting safe, reliable, and compliant plant operations.
- Skilled in the hands-on installation, calibration, testing, and repair of electrical, instrumentation, and control systems, with the ability to optimize system performance.
- Experienced in programming, updating, and optimizing PLC and DCS logic, including ladder and P&ID-based control strategies.
- Proficient in maintaining and calibrating control valves, transmitters, analyzers, and biomass-specific instrumentation for reliable plant operation.
- Knowledgeable in electrical systems, including switchgear, motor control centers, transformers, motors, batteries, inverters, and generator excitation systems.
- Competent in using SCADA and DCS platforms to monitor and control boilers, steam turbines, and emissions systems for operational efficiency.
- Skilled in testing, tuning, and optimizing boilers, combustion systems, turbines, and emissions reduction technologies to meet performance and compliance goals.
- Experienced in employing diagnostic and precision measurement tools, such as multimeters, oscilloscopes, and Amprobes, for accurate troubleshooting and maintenance.
- Capable of coordinating contractors and vendors during outages, maintenance projects, and system upgrades while maintaining safety, technical accuracy, and schedule compliance.
- Must possess a valid, unrestricted U.S. driver’s license and ensure it remains in good standing at all times.
About NAES
NAES Corporation is a leading provider of operations, maintenance, and engineering services for energy facilities. We have built a reputation as a reliable partner for clients in North America and internationally, offering services across the power generation, oil and gas, and renewable energy sectors. Our growing family of companies allows us to address the entire life cycle of power generation and other industrial plants.
NAES is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace. We prioritize selecting employees based on merit and competence, seeking individuals of the highest quality, without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, disability, military status, or affiliation protected under USERRA, or any other form of discrimination prohibited by applicable local, state, and federal law.
Preferred
-
We are looking for a highly skilled Technician with experience in power generation operations and maintenance, coupled with a proven ability to contribute effectively to team success and consistently meet performance standards.
-
An Associate degree in Plant Technology, Mechanical Engineering Technology, Electrical Engineering Technology, Process Technology, or a related field is preferred. Alternatively, equivalent technical training in industrial maintenance or instrumentation and control is beneficial, though not required. Relevant industry or military experience may be considered in lieu of education.
-
Demonstrated experience as a Technician in a power generation or industrial environment, with a proven record of supporting safe, reliable, and compliant plant operations.
-
Skilled in the hands-on installation, calibration, testing, and repair of electrical, instrumentation, and control systems, with the ability to optimize system performance.
-
Experienced in programming, updating, and optimizing PLC and DCS logic, including ladder and P&ID-based control strategies.
-
Proficient in maintaining and calibrating control valves, transmitters, analyzers, and biomass-specific instrumentation for reliable plant operation.
-
Knowledgeable in electrical systems, including switchgear, motor control centers, transformers, motors, batteries, inverters, and generator excitation systems.
-
Competent in using SCADA and DCS platforms to monitor and control boilers, steam turbines, and emissions systems for operational efficiency.
-
Skilled in testing, tuning, and optimizing boilers, combustion systems, turbines, and emissions reduction technologies to meet performance and compliance goals.
-
Experienced in employing diagnostic and precision measurement tools, such as multimeters, oscilloscopes, and Amprobes, for accurate troubleshooting and maintenance.
-
Capable of coordinating contractors and vendors during outages, maintenance projects, and system upgrades while maintaining safety, technical accuracy, and schedule compliance.
Preferred
-
Technical/other training or better in Electronics Engineering Technology or related field
Required
Preferred
-
High Voltage
-
Controls
-
Electrical Safety and Hazard Awareness
-
Electrical Systems and Equipment
-
Instrumentation Systems and Devices
-
Piping&Instrumentation Schematics-Read&Interp
-
P&ID - Piping & Instrumentation Design
-
Power Plant Fundamentals
-
Troubleshooting and Diagnostics
-
Biomass Energy Systems
-
DCS - Distributed Control System
-
IC&E - Instrumentation, Controls & Electrical
-
SCADA - Supervisory Control/Data Acquisition
-
PLC - Programmable Logic Controller
Preferred
-
Functional Expert: Considered a thought leader on a subject
-
Innovative: Consistently introduces new ideas and demonstrates original thinking
-
Team Player: Works well as a member of a group
Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights (https://www.eeoc.gov/poster) notice from the Department of Labor.
