Instrumentation, Controls and Electrical; IC&E Technician

Instrumentation, Controls and Electrical (IC&E) Technician

La Paloma Power Facility is located approximately 40 miles west of Bakersfield in McKittrick, California, and operates as a 1,022 MW natural gas-fired combined cycle power plant. Utilizing ABB GT24 combustion turbines, ABB HRSGs, and an ABB VAX 16 steam turbine, the facility delivers efficient and reliable power generation. Its strategic location and proven technology support a dependable electricity supply while maintaining compliance with stringent environmental regulations.

The Instrumentation, Controls, and Electrical (IC&E) Technician at the La Paloma Power Facility is essential to maintaining plant operations by calibrating, testing, and troubleshooting key instrumentation, control systems, and electrical equipment, including PLCs, DCS, SCADA, and turbine control systems. This role ensures reliability and efficiency through preventive and corrective maintenance, optimizing systems like combustion turbines, HRSGs, and electrical systems. By collaborating with engineers and adhering to safety standards, the IC&E Technician helps improve performance, reduce downtime, and support overall plant success.

Your scope of responsibility as IC&E Technician includes the following primary functions:

• Calibrates, tests, maintains, troubleshoots, and repairs power plant instrumentation, including transmitters, analyzers, control valves, fan dampers, and associated field devices.
• Installs, configures, and maintains electrical equipment, including motors, variable frequency drives (VFDs), battery chargers, inverters, and related auxiliary systems.
• Maintains and repairs instrumentation and control systems associated with combustion turbines, heat recovery steam generators (HRSGs), steam turbines, and balance-of-plant equipment.
• Performs corrective, preventive, predictive, and emergency maintenance on electrical distribution systems, including 13.8 kV and 4.16 kV switch gear, motor control centers (MCCs), transformers, and protective relays.
• Inspects, tests, maintains, and troubleshoots main generator, excitation, battery, charger, inverter, and associated power generation equipment.
• Maintains, troubleshoots, and optimizes Allen-Bradley PLC systems, control networks, and related automation equipment to support reliable plant operation.
• Diagnoses equipment failures, analyzes system performance, and implements corrective actions to improve plant reliability, availability, and efficiency.
• Coordinates maintenance activities with Operations, Engineering, contractors, and other plant personnel to minimize downtime and support safe, efficient plant operation.
• Installs new equipment and implements plant modifications, upgrades, and capital improvements in accordance with approved procedures, specifications, and industry standards.
• Maintains, calibrates, cleans, and properly stores test equipment, calibration devices, specialized tools, and maintenance resources used in IC&E activities.
• Maintains accurate maintenance records, calibration documentation, drawings, databases, vendor information, and other plant technical records.
• Supports plant safety and environmental compliance by following safe work practices, identifying hazards, participating in corrective actions, and properly handling regulated materials and waste.
• Assists with testing, commissioning, outage activities, special projects, continuous improvement initiatives, and other duties as assigned to support reliable, safe, and efficient plant operations.

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 safety rules and procedures. Adherence to these safety responsibilities is one of the key factors in the evaluation of each employee's performance.

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 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…