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Senior or Principal Plant Control Systems Specialist - Port Westward, Clatskanie, OR

Portland General Electric
United States, Oregon, Clatskanie
80997 Kallunki Road (Show on map)
Sep 24, 2025

At PGE, our work involves dreaming about, planning for, and realizing a smarter, cleaner, more enduring Oregon neighborhood. Its core to our DNA and we haven't stopped since we started in 1888. We energize lives, strengthen communities and drive advancements in energy that promote social, economic and environmental progress. We're always on the lookout for people passionate about leading and being a part of teams that are advancing innovative clean energy solutions that are also affordable and accessible to all.

SUMMARY

As a Control Systems Specialist, you'll provide effective electrical and controls engineering solutions to solve operations and maintenance problems at Portland General Electric's power generation facilities. You will maintain and improve plant operation, reliability, safety and regulatory compliance in a responsible and progressive manner. You will also provide engineered solutions for plant improvement and retrofit projects.

1 Position available to be filled at either p3, Senior level or p4, Principal level. See determining qualifications below. Responsibilities posted at Senior, p3 level.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Production Control Systems - Performs in-house commissioning, field commissioning, and client training of control systems for the installed and validated equipment. Responsible for creating and modifying programs for PLC, DCS, and HMI of various software. Supports and maintains the existing DCS and HMI platform(s) to minimize downtime and performance losses. Assists engineering and project teams with design, programming, and commissioning of automation systems. Designs, implements and documents control systems (electrical, software, pneumatic, hydraulic) for various types of automated equipment. Provides training at client sites to the operator, maintenance, engineering, and supervisor personnel.

Troubleshooting and Analysis - Analyzes equipment failures. Analyzes trends and root causes and implements initiatives to reduce risk and prevent future failures. Provides troubleshooting expertise to isolate problem causes and provides guidance for corrective actions (e.g., controls/graphics, field devices, electrical, IT platforms). Provides first-level support and expertise in troubleshooting field-instrumentation issues.

Testing and Controls - Performs performance tests of controls equipment and systems and integrates the information for equipment trending and decision-making purposes. Documents testing results. Maintains testing procedures. Performs overall system performance audits to identify and develop functional improvements and enhance controls. Develops functional requirement specifications, control narratives, and testing protocols for enhancement/fixes.

Consultation and Leadership - Participates in project design reviews to ensure P&IDs, instrumentation specs, and other engineering documents meet standards. Assists project teams with the creation of design and construction documents as they relate to automation systems. Communicates with the client regarding product design and schedule. Serves as a subject matter expert for controls systems. Provides guidance and information to other team members.

Compliance and Reporting - Ensures all processes align to appropriate standards, regulations, and laws. Maintains compliance-related documentation. Runs reports and analyzes data as needed. Ensures safe work practices. Follows quality documentation forms and executes them prior, during and post to every testing process.

Project Coordination - Leads projects with complex design, construction, operation, maintenance or testing elements in support of engineering and construction needs.

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE/CERTIFICATIONS

Education

  • Bachelor's degree in engineering preferred (Bachelor degree in project management, business or a related technical field also accepted) or equivalent related technical experience.

Experience

  • Senior, P3 level: Typically, five or more years of technical experience in control systems
  • Principal, P4 level: Typically, eight or more years of technical experience in control systems.

Certifications

  • Senior, P3 level: Professional Engineering License preferred.
  • Principal, P4 level: Professional Engineering License preferred. Project Management Professional (PMP) certification preferred.

COMPETENCIES (KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES)

Functional Competencies

  • Advanced knowledge of PGE and industry requirements relating to the operation and maintenance of a power generation facility.
  • Intermediate project management skills.
  • Advanced knowledge of plant systems, operations, and maintenance concepts.
  • Working skills in contract administration.
  • Intermediate knowledge of budget and resource forecasting principles and methods.
  • Advanced skills in systems used in the department, including budgeting system, outage management system, and general office-based systems and programs.
  • Working knowledge of accounting principles and company financial reports.
  • Working knowledge of applicable policies, rules, regulations, and codes in the utility engineering field.
  • Intermediate knowledge of construction/engineering disciplines and technical understanding of utility infrastructure with emphasis on hydroelectric or wind facilities, as applicable.
  • Advanced ability to review, evaluate and analyze technical information, policies, and reports.
  • Working ability to read and interpret construction drawings and documents.

General Competencies

  • Intermediate ability to manage stakeholders.
  • Advanced analytical thinking skills.
  • Intermediate business acumen.
  • Advanced business process interrelationships skills.
  • Intermediate conflict management skills.
  • Advanced decision-making skills.
  • Intermediate negotiation skills.
  • Advanced organization/prioritization skills.
  • Advanced problem-solving skills.
  • Intermediate team-building skills.
  • Advanced written/oral communication skills.

PHYSICAL, COGNITIVE DEMANDS AND SCHEDULE/ATTENDANCE

Physical

  • Does the job require a valid driver's license? - Yes
  • Driving/travel/commute: Daily within service territory - Occasionally (one to two times a month or less)
  • Computer use (use computer regularly for entire work shift)
  • Lifting/pushing/pulling: Up to 50 lb
  • Carrying : Up to 50 lb
  • Unstable surfaces requiring balance (i.e., moving equipment);
  • Elevated areas (i.e., catwalks, roofs and high buildings)
  • Confined spaces
  • Walking distances and surfaces (long distances and over rough, uneven or rocky surfaces)
  • Stairs (over 10 steps)
  • Ladders (over 10 rungs)

Cognitive Demands

  • Ability to adhere to set response times, deadlines, and time-sensitive tasks
  • Ability to follow accuracy standards
  • Ability to follow through on decision-making tasks
  • Ability to interact effectively and collaboratively within a team environment
  • Ability to communicate and problem solve when under stress
  • Ability to respond and adapt to frequent change
  • Ability to accept and demonstrate self-awareness when provided constructive feedback
  • Ability to discern feedback and acknowledge ownership of areas of improvement
  • Ability to avoid future mistakes by applying reasonable skills to new but similar work situations or tasks
  • Ability to successfully collaborate with peers, managers and others within the organization
  • Demonstrates sound memory
  • Ability to process new information to be applied consistently to work tasks

Schedule/Attendance

  • Ability to work long hours
  • Ability to work a variable schedule
  • Ability to report to work and perform work during periods of severe inclement weather
  • Ability to consistently meet attendance standards for regular, reliable, predictable, full-time attendance
  • Ability to work shift schedule (occasionally)
  • Ability to work on-call schedule (occasionally)

Environment

  • Office environment
  • Plant environment

#LI-SB1, #LI-onsite

Compensation Range:

$71,325.00 - $197,375.00

Actual total compensation, including a performance based incentive bonus, is commensurate with experience, skills, qualifications, education, training, and internal equity. While we anticipate the selected candidate for this position will fall towards the middle or entry point of the compensation range, the decision will be made on a case-by-case basis.

PGE believes in rewarding dedicated performance. We provide a total rewards package that is designed to reward your contributions to the company, and, at the same time, support your well-being and professional development, both now and into the future. To find out more, click here.

Join us today and power your potential!

Assisting with storms or other Company emergencies is a part of all positions at Portland General Electric.

PGE is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to fostering a workplace where employees feel connected, valued, and empowered to thrive. PGE will not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment based on race, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, religion, disability, protected veteran status, or other characteristics protected by law.

PGE does not discriminate on the basis of disability. We recognize individuals have a variety of abilities to offer and we believe there is much to value and celebrate by incorporating different abilities into the work we do. One very important way we live this out is in our application and interview process. We work hard to support individuals who may need an accommodation to fully participate in these processes. If you feel you may need an accommodation, or would like to request one, please notify the Recruiter associated with the job posting. You may also make this request by contacting talentacquisition@pgn.comor by calling 503-464-7250. The Recruiter will provide information and next steps for the accommodation process.

To be considered for this position, please complete the following employment application by the posting close date. Posting closes at midnight (Pacific Time) on the closing date below. If no date is listed, job is open until filled.

October 7, 2025
Applied = 0

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