Distributed Control System (DCS) Specialist/Subject Matter Expert (Maintenance)

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Job Summary

A "Distributed Control System Specialist" is responsible for designing, installing, maintaining, and optimizing complex industrial process control systems by utilizing distributed control networks, ensuring smooth communication between various components, troubleshooting issues, implementing upgrades, and collaborating with Operations, Maintenance, and Engineering teams.

Job Description

Key Responsibilities:

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System Maintenance and Troubleshooting:

• Monitoring system performance and identifying potential issues through data analysis.
• Diagnosing and resolving hardware and software faults within the DCS system.
• Performing Preventative maintenance on DCS Hardware to ensure system reliability.
• Understands relationship of equipment to plant systems

​Process Optimization

• Tuning control loops to optimize process variables and improve efficiency.
• Must be able to troubleshoot logic and apply necessary modifications.
• Analyzing process data to identify areas for improvement and implement changes.
• Collaborating with operations teams to optimize production processes.
• Perform trouble-shooting activities on all plant DCS-controlled equipment. 
• Must be able to troubleshoot and diagnose problems in systems, read and interpret online diagrams, electrical protection scheme, P&IDs, equipment specifications, and vendor service manuals.

Alarm Management:

• Managing alarm systems to minimize false alarms and ensure timely response to critical events.
• Developing alarm management strategies to improve operator decision-making.

Project support:

• Participate in major maintenance projects, including equipment overhauls and removal and replacement of major units and parts.
• Inspects and monitors work of third-party contractors during major equipment repair or installation. 
• Participating in capital projects related to DCS upgrades or expansions.
• Providing technical support during plant turnarounds and outages.

Documentation and Training:

• Maintaining accurate documentation of the DCS system configuration and operating procedures.
• May provide instruction and teaching to lower-level employees.
• Familiar with the use of computer-based trending tools.
• Must be able to frequently climb ladders; enter confined spaces; climb to and work from elevated platforms, ladders and walkways at elevations of 80 feet and more; crawl to the through confined areas
• On-call support is required, both remote and onsite.
• Makes decisions and recommends appropriate repair techniques for plant equipment to peers, supervisors, plant management.
• Ensures strict adherence to safety, health and environmental procedures as they relate to plant operations and maintenance including but not limited to Lockout Tagout, Job Safety Analysis, Confined Space, Hot Work, Electrical Safety and PPE

**LEVEL OF POSITION WILL BE DETERMINED BY APPLICABLE SKILLS/EXPERIENCE.

Education, Experience, and Skill Requirements:

• Five(5) plus years maintaining and updating Distributed Control System Hardware, Network, Data Historians, and Logic.
• Computer networking knowledge and experience with industrial data communication and transmission protocols
• Experience gained through college degree programs, trade school, related military service training programs, or technical training school programs.
• Knowledge of tuning control loops, calibrating field instruments, and  Data Communications
• Strong understanding of industrial process control principles and concepts
• Expertise in DCS programming languages and software platforms
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills
• Strong communication and collaboration skills to work effectively with cross-functional teams
• Able to work Overtime and callouts when needed
• Knowledge of troubleshooting complex technical issues

• All applicants must be a successful candidate on the Plant Operator Selection System/Power Plant Operations and Maintenance (POSS / MASS) program in order to be considered a candidate for this position. POSS / MASS exams are administered on an as-needed basis by Human Resources and all communication concerning the testing is sent to the candidate's email address provided during the application process.

Key Metrics:

• Demonstrate continual self-improvement in job skills and knowledge.
• This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee.  Duties, responsibilities and activities may change, or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice.

Job Family

Plant Operations

Company

Luminant Power LLC

Locations

Midlothian, Texas

Texas

If you currently work for Vistra or its subsidiaries, please apply via the internal career site.

It is the policy of the Company to comply with all employment laws and to afford equal employment opportunity to individuals in all aspects of employment, including in selection for job opportunities, without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, pregnancy, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, military service, protected veteran status, or any other consideration protected by federal, state or local laws.

 

If you are an individual with a disability and need assistance submitting an application or would like to request an accommodation, please email us at assistance@vistraenergy.com to make a request.