WGL- Sr Automation and Control Engineer

Full-time - Mid Level

Springfield, VA

1,001-5,000 employees

Utilities

About the position

Responsible for process control systems, communication infrastructure, and information systems to insure the safe and reliable delivery of natural gas by engineering and developing hardware and software automation and control solutions for Gas Control and field locations, including plants and gate stations. Must be available to serve on-call on a rotating 24 hours a day, 7 days a week schedule.

Responsibilities

• Using in-depth knowledge of process control systems, communication infrastructure and information systems, collaborates with internal organizations to determine system requirements.
• Develops control system drawings including control panel layouts, electrical diagrams, and loop diagrams from P&IDs.
• Develops code for Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) using vendor specific industrial programming languages to automate Gate Station control and monitoring of flow, pressure, temperature, and odorization of natural gas, as well as Plant; control and monitoring of compressors, boilers, pumps, valves, for peak shaving operations.
• Implements and maintains diverse communications to provide remote control and monitoring of Gate Station and Plant systems using various ICS protocols over serial and Ethernet.
• Interfaces with communication vendors and applies knowledge of communication protocols to troubleshoot and resolve problems.
• Develops code and configures communications for Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) using vendor specific programming languages to provide a graphical interface to the gas delivery system.
• Administers and develops code for MS SQL/ANSI SQL and vendor specific data archiving applications for reporting, analysis, historical reference and compliance.
• Provides direction to production engineering on requirements for control system inputs/outputs, data communications, conduit, and instrumentation cable.
• Performs start-up operations to determine that system requirements have been met and to insure equipment will perform within design parameters.
• Provides technical support and training to operations personnel for all industrial automation systems of Washington Gas and its affiliates.
• Collaborates with Production Engineering, Gas Control, and other departments to insure system integrity.
• Performs project management functions on projects, including coordinating resources from different departments.
• Develops operation and maintenance procedures, programs and standards including wiring schematics.
• Researches new products and performs product evaluation, testing and recommendations to refine processes.

Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree Electrical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related field required.
• 5+ Years proven experience with industrial control systems required.
• Demonstrated knowledge of process control theory and of electronic, pneumatic and mechanical instrumentation systems required.
• Working knowledge of control systems in natural gas and propane processing, storage and handling facilities and gas flow measurement preferred.
• Demonstrated knowledge of Industrial Control System (ICS) protocols required.
• Demonstrated experience programming in least (2) SCADA software platforms and at least (2) PLC platforms required.
• Demonstrated experience developing wiring diagrams and control panel designs from P&IDs required.
• Demonstrated ability to develop control sequences and PLC programming from P&IDs required.
• Demonstrated experience supporting startup and commissioning of control systems for complex industrial or pipeline processes.
• Proven ability to use computer software and applications, including AutoCAD, Microsoft Office (Word, Visio, Project, Excel, PowerPoint) to share, retrieve, research and present business information.
• Demonstrated ability to work well under pressure and to exhibit good judgment while working with a potentially volatile commodity.
• Demonstrated ability to write and present diverse ideas logically and concisely.
• Demonstrated ability to establish rapport and effective working relationships with business partners, supervisors and peers.

Nice-to-haves

• Working knowledge of control systems in natural gas and propane processing, storage and handling facilities and gas flow measurement preferred.

Benefits

• Health insurance
• Retirement plans
• Paid time off
• Competitive salary range of $94,000 to $136,000 per year, commensurate with experience, education, and skills.