Senior PLC Technician

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in Alabama, +23 more states.

📋 Description

• Plan, organize, and execute intricate field assignments that involve paralleling switchgear and PLC/relay transfer schemes throughout pre-startup, startup, commissioning, modifications, preventive maintenance, and emergency troubleshooting.

• Oversee functional and integrated testing of emergency and standby power systems, including 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.

• Conduct advanced troubleshooting and authorized modifications of PLC ladder logic, PLC I/O, communications, sequencing, and ACS parameters utilizing approved engineering documentation and change-control practices.

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

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

• Lead the technical execution on-site, coordinate daily activities, communicate status and risks, manage punch-list closure, and ensure timely and budget-compliant completion.

• Direct and mentor junior field engineers and technicians, providing coaching on safe execution, troubleshooting, documentation, and customer communication.

• Serve as a senior escalation resource for both remote and on-site troubleshooting, including emergency response scenarios.

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

• Safeguard ABB and customer assets, manage job costs, and identify opportunities for enhancing quality, productivity, and service delivery.

• Cultivate customer relationships by clearly translating technical findings into actionable steps, 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 discipline.

• Proven independent field capability on highly complex assignments.

• Extensive experience with low- and medium-voltage 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 schedule pressure, and directing multi-person site teams.

• Capability to read, interpret, and redline complex electrical and control diagrams and apply approved engineering methods in the field.

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

• Willingness and ability to travel extensively within the United States and remain at customer sites for extended periods.

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

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

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

• Preferred familiarity 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 knowledge of ABB, SEL/Schweitzer, Multilin, Basler, or Woodward protective relays and associated testing/configuration tools.

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

• Familiarity with breaker testing, CT/PT verification, relay testing, primary/secondary injection, turns-ratio, winding-resistance, insulation, power-factor, hipot, phase-rotation, and related commissioning test equipment.

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

🏝️ Benefits

• Comprehensive travel accommodations, lodging, and per diem.

• 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.

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

• Vision benefits.

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

• Company-paid AD&D (1X base pay).

• Voluntary life and AD&D – fully 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 (including accident insurance, hospital indemnity, critical illness, and pet insurance).

• Parental Leave – up to 6 weeks.

• Employee Assistance Program.

• Health Advocate support resources for mental/behavioral health, general health navigation and 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 roles.