Senior PLC Field Service Technician – Data Center Power Systems

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in North Carolina.

📋 Description

• Provide autonomous technical leadership for pre-startup, startup, commissioning, modifications, preventive maintenance, and troubleshooting of ABB paralleling switchgear and controls in mission-critical power applications.

• Plan, organize, and execute intricate field assignments involving paralleling switchgear and PLC/relay transfer schemes.

• Oversee functional and integrated testing of emergency/standby power systems, which includes open- and closed-transition sequences, transfers, load add/shed, utility-generator paralleling, import/export, and baseload applications.

• Configure, verify, and troubleshoot generator controls, load-sharing systems, protective relays, switchgear controls, meters, breakers, PLCs, HMIs/ACS platforms, and communications.

• Carry out authorized modifications and advanced troubleshooting of PLC ladder logic, PLC I/O, communications, sequencing, and ACS parameters.

• Establish and troubleshoot communications including Modbus, PLC-to-PLC, redundant PLC, remote PLC, PLC-to-ACS, and customer BMS/EPMS/SCADA.

• Interpret one-line diagrams, schematics, interconnection drawings, sequence-of-operations documents, coordination studies, settings files, and commissioning procedures.

• Lead on-site technical execution, coordinate daily work, communicate status and risks, manage punch-list closure, and support timely, budget-conscious project completion.

• Guide and mentor junior field engineers and technicians.

• Act as a senior escalation point for remote and on-site troubleshooting, including emergency response.

• Complete field service reports, startup checklists, redlines, test documentation, software backups, time entry, expense reporting, and customer-facing status updates.

• Safeguard ABB and customer assets, manage job costs, and identify enhancements in quality, productivity, and service delivery.

• Cultivate customer relationships by translating technical findings into actionable recommendations, risks, and recovery plans.

⛳️ Requirements

• High school diploma or GED with 7+ years of relevant field experience, or an associate or bachelor's degree with 5+ years in a related field.

• Proven capability to work independently on highly complex assignments in the field.

• Advanced experience with low and medium voltage switchgear, paralleling switchgear, circuit breakers, protective relays, generator controls, PLC-based controls, HMIs/ACS, industrial networking, and mission-critical power systems.

• Hands-on experience in leading startup and commissioning activities, coordinating energization and switching, troubleshooting under strict deadlines, and directing multi-person site teams.

• Ability to read, interpret, and redline complex electrical and control drawings, applying approved engineering methods in the field.

• Strong analytical, problem-solving, customer communication, technical reporting, and field leadership skills.

• Willingness to travel extensively within the United States and remain on customer sites for extended assignments based on project demands.

• Ability to meet ABB and customer site access, electrical safety, training, and personal protective equipment requirements.

• Authorization to work in the United States without requiring ABB sponsorship, where applicable.

• Preferred experience with ABB Energy Commander or similar paralleling switchgear and controls.

• Preferred experience with GE/Emerson RX3i PLCs and Proficy Machine Edition; ABB AC500 and Automation Builder; CP600 HMI/Panel Builder; Cimplicity or similar supervisory platforms.

• Preferred experience with Woodward EasyGen and LS5 generator controls and load-sharing systems.

• Preferred experience with ABB, SEL/Schweitzer, Multilin, Basler, or Woodward protective relays and related testing or configuration tools.

• Preferred experience with Modbus, industrial Ethernet, fiber-optic networks, redundant control networks, BMS, EPMS, and SCADA integration.

• Preferred experience with low- and medium-voltage breaker testing, CT/PT verification, relay testing, primary/secondary injection, turns-ratio, winding-resistance, insulation, power-factor, hipot, phase-rotation, and associated commissioning test equipment.

• Preferred experience with utility paralleling, emergency standby generation, complex load management, data center commissioning, and collaboration with third-party commissioning agents.

🏝️ Benefits

• Overtime and double time eligible.

• Choice between two medical plan options: a PPO plan known as the Copay Plan or a High Deductible Health Plan (with a Health Savings Account) referred to as the High Deductible Plan.

• Choice between two dental plan options: Core and Core Plus.

• Vision benefit.

• Company paid life insurance (2X base pay).

• Company paid AD&D (1X base pay).

• Voluntary life and AD&D – 100% employee paid up to maximums.

• Short Term Disability – up to 26 weeks – Company paid.

• Long Term Disability – 60% of pay – Company paid; option to “buy-up” to 66 2/3% of pay.

• Supplemental benefits – 100% employee paid (Accident insurance, hospital indemnity, critical illness, pet insurance).

• Parental Leave – up to 6 weeks.

• Employee Assistance Program.

• Health Advocate support resources for mental/behavioral health, general health navigation, virtual health, and infertility/adoption.

• Employee discount program.

• 401k Savings Plan with Company Contributions.

• Employee Stock Acquisition Plan (ESAP).

• 11 paid holidays.

• Vacation based on years of service for hourly and non-exempt positions.