Utility Controls Engineer

Energy Management oversees the reliable, safe and efficient operation of mechanical, electrical, and civil utilities systems in approximately 250 complex buildings on the Twin Cities campus. Home to the University's technical and professional engineering staff, as well as a select group of skilled tradespeople, the group maintains the campus utility infrastructure and provides technical and engineering expertise to the U's Capital Planning, Facilities Management building operations, and other facilities-related units across the U of M system.

The Twin Cities campus has a total electric utility budget of approximately $51M per year. The infrastructure required to safely and reliably distribute this energy includes more than twelve miles of underground steam tunnels and five medium voltage (13,800 Volt) switch stations. The Energy Management group manages and maintains this complex infrastructure, as well as overseeing storm water management, sanitary sewer systems, municipal water distribution, chilled water distribution, steam and condensate, and compressed air systems.

• Implementing and guiding the proper operations and maintenance of a campus SCADA system. Maintain the SCADA network and field devices through trouble‑shooting, configuration programming, and backup. Develop and perform scheduled hardware/software maintenance and upgrades through vendor long term service agreements.
• Develop operation and maintenance standards for the SCADA system, including instruction on how to use the system.
• Proactively investigate field problems and independently develop engineering solutions.
• Support the commissioning effort for new field devices.
• Engaging and coordinating with electrical operations.

• Develop and implement network and application security protocols. Maintain and update standards for system security. Create documentation on security standards that is readily available for audits.
• Add/delete/modify/organize database points for consistent conformance to industry and university standards.

• Develop and revise HMI graphics.
• Support the maintenance of electric metering network maps and documentation.
• Build and maintain websites and applications for data transparency and situational awareness using custom applications through 3rd party API(s) to interact with the SCADA system.
• Identifying and planning for future capital expenditures on hardware and software replacements.

Work is performed in an office setting as well as out in the field. This position will be exposed to hazardous conditions where hearing and visual protection may be required. Must be able to walk and climb to physically access and view various sites, including mechanical/electrical equipment rooms, electric vaults and switch stations.

Required (minimum) qualifications Graduate from an accredited college or university with a bachelor's degree in Computer Science and Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or Information Technology and at least two (2) years of progressively more responsible experience in implementation, development, technical evaluation, and maintenance activities in the areas of utility control systems (preferably SCADA systems) or information technology is required.

Preferred qualifications

• Knowledge of DNP3 and MODBUS protocols.
• Experience working in an I.T. environment.
• Ability to troubleshoot, upgrade, backup and manage Microsoft OS.
• C++ and C#/.net programming experience.
• Networking and server management/maintenance skills, including MS SQL Server programming and maintenance experience.
• Understanding and maintenance of relational databases.
• Understanding of network serial and Ethernet communications.
• Basic understanding of electrical power system terminology and one line diagrams.
• Demonstrated ability to gain support and commitment from others.
• Self-motivated, proactive professional with the ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a team environment.
• Coordinates and prioritizes multiple tasks, resolves problems, negotiates solutions, and identifies and analyzes unit and departmental priorities.
• Strong written (including technical writing), verbal, interpersonal skills.

Pay Range: $70,000 - 82,000; depending on education/qualifications/experience

Time Appointment: 100% Appointment

Position Type:
Faculty and P&A Staff

Please visit the Office of Human…