Entry Level Instrumentation & Controls Engineer Jobs in California

La Paloma Power Facility is located approximately 40 miles west of Bakersfield in McKittrick, California, and operates as a 1,022 MW natural gas-fired combined cycle power plant. Utilizing ABB GT24 combustion turbines, ABB HRSGs, and an ABB VAX 16 steam turbine, the facility delivers efficient and reliable power generation. Its strategic location and proven technology support a dependable electricity supply while maintaining compliance with stringent environmental regulations.

Opportunity Summary

The Instrumentation, Controls, and Electrical (IC&E) Technician at the La Paloma Power Facility is essential to maintaining plant operations by calibrating, testing, and troubleshooting key instrumentation, control systems, and electrical equipment, including PLCs, DCS, SCADA, and turbine control systems. This role ensures reliability and efficiency through preventive and corrective maintenance, optimizing systems like combustion turbines, HRSGs, and electrical systems. By collaborating with engineers and adhering to safety standards, the IC&E Technician helps improve performance, reduce downtime, and support overall plant success.

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

• Calibrates, tests, maintains, troubleshoots, and repairs power plant instrumentation, including transmitters, analyzers, control valves, fan dampers, and associated field devices.
• Installs, configures, and maintains electrical equipment, including motors, variable frequency drives (VFDs), battery chargers, inverters, and related auxiliary systems.
• Maintains and repairs instrumentation and control systems associated with combustion turbines, heat recovery steam generators (HRSGs), steam turbines, and balance-of-plant equipment.
• Performs corrective, preventive, predictive, and emergency maintenance on electrical distribution systems, including 13.8 kV and 4.16 kV switchgear, motor control centers (MCCs), transformers, and protective relays.
• Inspects, tests, maintains, and troubleshoots main generator, excitation, battery, charger, inverter, and associated power generation equipment.
• Maintains, troubleshoots, and optimizes Allen-Bradley PLC systems, control networks, and related automation equipment to support reliable plant operation.
• Diagnoses equipment failures, analyzes system performance, and implements corrective actions to improve plant reliability, availability, and efficiency.
• Coordinates maintenance activities with Operations, Engineering, contractors, and other plant personnel to minimize downtime and support safe, efficient plant operation.
• Installs new equipment and implements plant modifications, upgrades, and capital improvements in accordance with approved procedures, specifications, and industry standards.
• Maintains, calibrates, cleans, and properly stores test equipment, calibration devices, specialized tools, and maintenance resources used in IC&E activities.
• Maintains accurate maintenance records, calibration documentation, drawings, databases, vendor information, and other plant technical records.
• Supports plant safety and environmental compliance by following safe work practices, identifying hazards, participating in corrective actions, and properly handling regulated materials and waste.
• Assists with testing, commissioning, outage activities, special projects, continuous improvement initiatives, and other duties as assigned to support reliable, safe, and efficient 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 Maintenance 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's regular schedule consists of rotating 10-hour day shifts, working alternating pay periods of 80 hours and 100 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 $45.33 to $58.00 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.

• Associate degree in Instrumentation Technology, Electrical Engineering Technology, Electronics Technology, Industrial Maintenance Technology, Process Technology, Power Plant Technology, or a related technical field preferred. Equivalent technical training, military training, apprenticeship programs, or demonstrated experience in instrumentation, controls, electrical maintenance, or power generation may be considered in lieu of formal education.
• Experience working in power generation, industrial manufacturing, petrochemical, refinery, or other heavy industrial environments, demonstrating familiarity with plant operations, maintenance practices, safety procedures, and industry-specific equipment.
• Ability to troubleshoot, maintain, and repair medium-voltage and low-voltage electrical systems, including switchgear, motor control centers (MCCs), transformers, generators, protective relays, batteries, chargers, and associated power distribution equipment.
• Working knowledge of instrumentation and control systems utilized in natural gas-fired combined-cycle facilities, including combustion turbines, heat recovery steam generators (HRSGs), steam turbines, emissions monitoring systems, and balance-of-plant equipment.
• Proficiency in calibrating, testing, maintaining, and troubleshooting process instrumentation, including pressure, temperature, flow, level, vibration, and analytical devices using industry-standard calibration and diagnostic equipment.
• Knowledge of programmable logic controllers (PLCs), distributed control systems (DCS), and associated communication networks, with familiarity with Allen-Bradley control platforms preferred.
• Understanding of combustion control systems, turbine control systems, machine condition monitoring technologies, and related instrumentation used to optimize plant performance, reliability, and safety.
• Ability to perform preventive, predictive, corrective, and emergency maintenance activities while interpreting electrical drawings, P&IDs, loop diagrams, schematics, and technical manuals.
• Strong interpersonal and teamwork skills with the ability to coordinate maintenance activities with operations personnel, engineers, contractors, and equipment vendors to support safe and efficient plant operations.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills, strong analytical abilities, and proficiency with computerized maintenance management systems (CMMS), technical reporting, and documentation practices.
• 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.