Shift Operations Engineer

Job Title: Shift Operations Engineer

Headcount: 4

Site Location: Nueva Ecija

Contract: Perm-Full time

About the role

A Shift Operation Engineer at a hydroelectric power plant plays a critical role in ensuring the safe, efficient, and continuous operation of the plant during their shift. The required skills for this role are a blend of technical knowledge, practical experience, and problem-solving abilities

Requirements & Qualifications

• Registered Electrical Engineer
• Minimum 6 years' experience in the operation of hydroelectric/hydropower/pumped storage/water treatment facilities/dam project environments is required.
• Experience with largescale turbine systems, water management systems, and SCADA control systems is highly advantageous.

Technical Skills:

• Electrical Systems: In-depth knowledge of turbines, generators, and electrical equipment used in hydroelectric plants.
• Control Systems: Experience with SCADA systems, PLCs (Programmable Logic Controllers), and other automated control systems.
• Troubleshooting: Strong ability to troubleshoot electrical, and control system issues to restore normal operations quickly

Job Responsibilities

1. Technical Knowledge of Hydroelectric Systems

• Mechanical and Electrical Systems: Understanding the operation of turbines, generators, transformers, and associated mechanical and electrical systems is crucial. The engineer must be able to monitor and control the mechanical processes involved in generating electricity from water.
• Hydraulic Systems: Knowledge of water flow control, penstocks, gates, valves, and water pressure is essential for managing the plant’s hydraulic aspects efficiently.
• Instrumentation and Control Systems: Familiarity with the plant's control room operations, SCADA systems (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition), and real-time monitoring systems to keep track of performance, alarms, and operational conditions.
• Power Generation Principles: Understanding how energy is converted from mechanical energy (water flow) to electrical energy and the operation of related equipment, including pumps, motors, and generators.

2. Safety Knowledge and Practices

• Safety Protocols: Ensuring that all safety procedures are followed to protect personnel, equipment, and the environment. This includes knowledge of emergency shutdown procedures, lock-out/tag-out (LOTO) systems, and safety checks for equipment.
• Risk Assessment: The ability to identify potential hazards, assess risks, and take immediate corrective actions. This is essential in a high-risk environment like a hydroelectric plant.
• Compliance with Regulations: Familiarity with industry regulations and environmental guidelines (e.g., dam safety standards, water quality regulations, and environmental protection laws).

3. Troubleshooting and Problem-Solving Skills

• Fault Diagnosis: The ability to quickly identify problems when equipment malfunctions or operations deviate from expected norms, including recognizing issues like turbine inefficiencies, abnormal vibrations, or electrical faults.
• Critical Thinking: Quickly analyzing operational data and making decisions that ensure continued plant operation, particularly in emergency situations or during unexpected equipment failures.
• Maintenance Knowledge: Understanding of preventive and corrective maintenance procedures, as well as the ability to coordinate with maintenance teams when issues arise that cannot be resolved in the control room.

4. Monitoring and Control of Plant Operations

• Performance Monitoring: Constantly tracking and assessing the plant's performance through real-time data from SCADA systems and manual checks. This includes managing water levels, flow rates, and electrical output.
• Load Management: Understanding how to adjust the plant's operation to meet grid demands, including regulating the flow of water to maximize electricity generation while maintaining operational efficiency.
• Data Logging: Keeping accurate records of plant performance, system alarms, downtime, maintenance activities, and any operational anomalies for future analysis and reporting.

5. Communication Skills

• Team Coordination: Ability to work with other engineers, technicians, and plant personnel, especially in handovers at shift changes, ensuring smooth transitions and continuity of operations.
• Reporting: Documenting and reporting issues, faults, and any irregularities to higher management or technical teams in a clear, concise, and accurate manner.
• Emergency Communication: In case of emergencies, the engineer must communicate effectively with emergency response teams, operators, and external authorities (if necessary).

6. Attention to Detail

• System Monitoring: Constant vigilance in monitoring plant parameters (such as water levels, pressure, generator load, and voltage) to detect subtle changes that might indicate a potential issue before it becomes critical.
• Inspection and Calibration: Regular checks and calibration of control systems, pressure gauges, flow meters, and other instrumentation to ensure accurate readings and smooth operations.

7. Adaptability and Decision-Making

• Adaptation to Shift Work: Working long or irregular hours, sometimes under pressure or stressful conditions, and maintaining high levels of performance throughout shifts.
• Quick Decision-Making: Making informed decisions during unexpected situations (e.g., equipment failure, changes in weather, or power surges) while ensuring safety and minimizing downtime.

8. Environmental and Sustainability Awareness

• Environmental Impact: Understanding the environmental impact of the hydroelectric plant’s operations, including water conservation, ecosystem management, and compliance with environmental regulations.
• Sustainability Practices: Adopting practices that reduce waste, minimize energy losses, and promote the long-term sustainability of plant operations.

9. Knowledge of Energy Market and Grid Operations (optional, but beneficial)

• Grid Integration: Understanding how the hydroelectric plant is integrated into the larger power grid and how operational adjustments might be needed to meet grid demand, especially during peak or off-peak periods.
• Energy Market Awareness: Being aware of energy price fluctuations and how this might affect plant operations (for example, deciding when to increase or decrease production to match market conditions or grid requirements).

10. Leadership and Supervisory Skills (if applicable)

• Managing Shift Teams: If leading a team of operators and technicians, strong leadership skills are necessary to ensure that everyone follows safety protocols, works efficiently, and resolves problems effectively.
• Training and Mentoring: Helping less experienced staff understand the operation of the plant and providing on-the-job training when necessary.