Entry Level Controls Engineer Jobs in Kansas (NOW HIRING)

Why Black & Veatch

Black & Veatch allows you to lend your talent and perspective to humanity's biggest challenges in a flexible environment where you are empowered to grow and explore new possibilities. We offer competitive compensation; 401K match and benefits that start day 1.

Our hybrid environment allows you to balance your work and personal life. At Black & Veatch, you own your career with purpose and meaning. You are empowered to grow and explore new possibilities at every step of your career journey. Bring your big ideas knowing you are safe to be who you are and speak up with concerns or questions and put your diverse talents and perspectives to use. #AM-1

The Opportunity

In this role, you will have the opportunity to: 

• Drive technical studies and detailed design for power generation facilities, including Balance of Plant systems that support safe and reliable operations. 
• Integrate into established project teams, applying your expertise while taking on increasing responsibility as a project needs evolve. 

The Team

The Instrumentation & Control department is a global team specializing in instrumentation, control systems, wireless communications, networks, and cybersecurity for all BV Market Sectors and Solutions. Our team provides a full range of services including consulting, master planning, assessments, conceptual design, detailed design, EPC, design-build, construction support, field services, testing, commissioning, resident engineering, staff augmentation, training, on-call services, and system implementation, configuration, and programming. 

Black & Veatch's Power Providers focuses on the holistic demands for energy generation markets that include utilities, independent power producers and new non-traditional entrants adding to the much-needed supply of secure, clean power to our industries and communities. By joining our market sector, you will have the opportunity to put sustainable energy solutions into practice.

Job Summary

Under general supervision and applying knowledge gained with experience, begins functioning as a technical specialist. Continues to build on experience and gain more in depth knowledge working on larger and more complex assignments. May start to expand knowledge into other disciplines and/or functional areas.

Key Responsibilities

• Continues to learn and remains current on departmental design guides, standards, systems, applicable engineering codes and B&V policies and procedures. Applies to assigned tasks as appropriate.
• Continues developing and can independently apply knowledge. Complies with B&V quality program relative to assigned tasks. Supports continuous improvement and change management efforts.
• Prepares a variety of increasingly complex engineering deliverables. Performs research and develops recommendations for equipment and/or materials selection. Collects, assimilates, and manages data for engineering work. Prepares increasingly complex engineering calculations following standard methods and principles. Understands and adheres to budget, schedule, and quality requirements.  May recognize, define and resolve problems within assigned area. May provide direction and guidance to others.
• Assigns tasks to develop entry level professionals and interns.  Coordinates with project leadership and other internal/external team members on less complex projects. Interacts as needed with other disciplines on details of design work.
• Works to understand external client's interest and drivers through regular interaction and communication. Also focuses on needs of internal clients and project leadership. May provide support to business development or pursuit activities.
• Shares current knowledge of latest technology and processes.
• As skills develop, may assist with performance management process, recognition, and any corrective actions required.  Actively mentors entry level professionals and interns.

Preferred Qualifications

• Prepare network block diagrams for the facility - includes unit and plant controllers, operator workstation, electrical digital protective relays and metering, satellite clock, RTAC, ethernet switches, fiber/ethernet/serial connections, interface for remote communication
• Prepare for I/O lists for unit, plant and spillway controllers
• Prepare list of network communication signals
• Determine network/protocol requirements for electrical protective relays and metering
• Prepare specifications for control systems and network communication 
• Prepare operational description for facility (generating unit, plant, spillway) - identify local and remote monitoring and control requirements
• Prepare specifications for mechanical to digital governor conversions
• Prepare Piping & Instrument Diagrams - coordinate process piping/equipment with mechanical engineer, responsible to add control system interface 
• Prepare Instrument List and specifications
• Conduct onsite condition assessments focusing on the existing control system and instrumentation
• Identify requirements for upgrades/automation including additional instrumentation 
• Prepare startup procedures, review vendor test procedures 
• Prepare schematics/elementary diagrams for the control system (and review vendor submittals)
• Prepare field wiring diagrams including port assignments for network connections 
• Prepare cable and conduit schedules and routing

Minimum Qualifications

Requires a bachelor's degree in engineering from either a recognized accredited program in their home country or the country in which the professional is practicing. Minimum of 1 year related work experience. All applicants must be able to complete pre-employment onboarding requirements (if selected) which may include any/all of the following: criminal/civil background check, drug screen, and motor vehicle records search, in compliance with any applicable laws and regulations.

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