Entry Level Instrumentation & Controls Engineer Jobs in California

The Berkeley Cogeneration Plant is a 1x1 combined cycle facility powered by an LM2500PJ gas turbine, providing 22–25 MW of electricity and steam directly to the University of California, Berkeley campus. The site includes a steam plant in operation since the 1930s and a cogeneration plant originally constructed in the mid-1980s, together supporting the campus heating distribution system. With 95% availability, the CHP plant serves as the primary steam provider, while auxiliary boilers and the steam plant ensure a consistent, year-round supply to meet campus demand.

Opportunity Summary

The Instrumentation, Controls, and Electrical (IC&E) Technician at the Berkeley Cogeneration Plant plays a critical role in maintaining and optimizing the plant’s combined cycle and campus steam systems. This position involves calibrating, troubleshooting, and maintaining instrumentation, control, and electrical systems, while supporting reliable electricity and steam delivery to the University of California, Berkeley campus. The IC&E Technician collaborates with engineers, operations staff, and contractors to ensure safe, efficient, and environmentally compliant plant operations.

Your scope of responsibility as IC&E Technician includes the following primary functions:

• Calibrates, tests, maintains, troubleshoots, and installs power plant instrumentation, control systems, and electrical systems. This includes control valves, fan dampers, motors, variable-speed drives, battery chargers, inverters, transmitters, analyzers, and instrumentation specific to natural gas-fired combined cycle and campus steam plants, including combustion/steam turbines.
• Performs corrective, preventive, predictive, and emergency maintenance on electrical systems, including medium-voltage switchgear, transformers, motors, control centers, batteries, inverters, chargers, and generator excitation equipment.
• Maintains, troubleshoots, and optimizes PLC systems, conducting inspections, diagnosing faults, fine-tuning programs, and collaborating with engineers to enhance system performance.
• Maintains and monitors DCS and SCADA systems, ensuring proper operation, troubleshooting faults, and supporting efficient electricity and steam delivery to campus facilities.
• Calibrates, maintains, and troubleshoots turbine and boiler control systems, ensuring reliable operation of the LM2500PJ gas turbine, steam turbine, and auxiliary boilers, while collaborating with engineers to optimize efficiency.
• Coordinates with operations and maintenance staff to ensure efficient workflows, minimize downtime, and support integrated campus energy needs.
• Installs new equipment and system modifications while following safety protocols, industry standards, and UC Berkeley environmental requirements.
• Maintains, cleans, and properly stores shop equipment and tools, including specialized instrumentation and electrical maintenance tools.
• Keeps detailed logs of issues, repairs, and downtime, and updates plant documentation, calibration records, vendor information, and operational databases.
• Implements safe work practices, identifies hazards, and recommends or initiates corrective actions to maintain a safe work environment.
• Assists the Plant Engineer with plant testing, including turbine controls, combustion control processes, and campus boiler control systems.
• Works with outside contractors during overhauls and projects, providing technical guidance and oversight on instrumentation, control, and electrical work.
• Handles and disposes of hazardous waste, such as batteries and fluorescent bulbs, in accordance with university and regulatory standards.
• Performs additional tasks as assigned to support reliable electricity and steam delivery and overall plant operations.

NAES Safe

Safety is a core value at NAES, and as a condition of employment, all employees are expected to remain mentally alert and work safely at all times. Employees must also adhere to all safety warnings and posted signs while on company property. Additionally, they are required to follow all NAES safety rules and procedures. Adherence to these safety responsibilities is one of the key factors in the evaluation of each employee’s performance.

Working Relationships

The IC&E Technician reports directly to the O&M Manager and receives general direction from plant management. This role involves interfacing with contractors and original equipment manufacturer (OEM) personnel to ensure necessary support and coordination.

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions

Physical requirements include standing for extended periods of time, climbing stairs and ladders, working from elevated platforms and walkways at varying heights, and routinely lifting up to 50 pounds.

Power plant environment that may involve entering confined spaces, crawling through narrow areas, and handling hazardous materials, with exposure to fumes, extreme temperatures, and noise. Work may include high heat near equipment and varying outdoor weather conditions.

Some duties may require the use of protective equipment, which can include hard hats, safety glasses, and eye protection, air masks/respirators, ear protection, chemical suits, flame-resistant clothing (FRC), hot gloves, high-voltage protective gear, and fall protection. Fit testing for respirators may be required. Strict smoking restrictions apply in and around the facility.

Fitness for Duty

All personnel will participate in the Fitness for Duty Program, which includes a post-offer physical examination, drug screening, and post-employment random drug screening.

Work Schedule

The IC&E Technician works a standard Monday to Friday day shift schedule, ensuring consistent plant operation and support during regular business hours.

This position will also occasionally necessitate extended working hours and flexible shifts as needed, including weekends and holidays, in response to schedules, workload demands, and plant conditions. Periodic callouts or “On call” status will also be required.

Compensation

This position offers a base pay rate ranging from $44.91 to $70.76 per hour, along with eligibility for an annual performance bonus.

Core Qualifications and Skills

We are seeking a qualified Instrumentation, Controls, and Electrical (IC&E) Technician with hands-on experience in power generation operations and maintenance. The ideal candidate demonstrates strong technical aptitude, a commitment to safety, and a track record of contributing effectively within a team environment to support reliable plant performance.

• An Associate degree in Instrumentation and Control Technology, Electrical Engineering Technology, Electronics Technology, Industrial Automation, or a closely related technical discipline is preferred. Equivalent technical training in industrial electrical systems, control systems, PLCs, or power plant instrumentation—through formal coursework, apprenticeships, or military training—is beneficial. Relevant industry or military experience may be considered in lieu of formal education.
• Experience in power plants or industrial settings preferred, with familiarity in operations, safety protocols, and plant equipment.
• Thorough knowledge and hands-on experience troubleshooting and maintaining electrical systems, including medium-voltage switchgear, motors, control centers, transformers, batteries, inverters, chargers, and generator excitation equipment.
• Comprehensive knowledge and practical experience maintaining and troubleshooting instrumentation and control systems in combined-cycle plants, including combustion turbines, HRSGs, steam turbines, burner management systems, combustion control, boiler controls, and condition monitoring.
• Hands-on expertise with turbine operations and PLCs, including start-up, shutdown, and performance adjustments to ensure reliable electricity and steam delivery to campus facilities.
• Skilled in performing routine inspections, preventive maintenance, and calibration on critical electrical and instrumentation equipment to ensure safe, efficient, and continuous plant operation.
• Experience collaborating with cross-functional teams, contractors, and vendors to coordinate maintenance, procure resources, and support timely completion of projects.
• Strong written and oral communication skills, with the analytical and mathematical aptitude to present technical information, conclusions, and recommendations effectively.
• Must possess a valid, unrestricted U.S. driver’s license and ensure it remains in good standing at all times.

About NAES

NAES Corporation is a leading provider of operations, maintenance, and engineering services for energy facilities. We have built a reputation as a reliable partner for clients in North America and internationally, offering services across the power generation, oil and gas, and renewable energy sectors. Our growing family of companies allows us to address the entire life cycle of power generation and other industrial plants.

NAES is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace. We prioritize selecting employees based on merit and competence, seeking individuals of the highest quality, without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, disability, military status, or affiliation protected under USERRA, or any other form of discrimination prohibited by applicable local, state, and federal law.