Applications Engineer - Apex Clean Energy

Apex Clean Energy was founded with a singular focus: to accelerate the shift to clean energy. Through origination, construction, and operation of utility-scale wind, solar, and storage facilities, distributed energy resources, and green fuel technologies, Apex is expanding the renewable frontier across North America. Our mission-driven team of more than 400 professionals uses a data-focused approach and an unrivaled portfolio of projects to create solutions for the world’s most innovative and forward-thinking customers. For more information about how Apex is building the energy company of the future, visit apexcleanenergy.com.

Apex strives to excel in every phase of project realization, from origination and financing to construction and asset management. Our mission-driven team seeks determined, resolute individuals who strive to innovate and go above the call of duty, and who will relentlessly do their part to help accelerate the shift to America’s clean energy future. 

Role Overview

Apex is seeking an entry level Applications Engineer to develop and administer SCADA applications in support of its remote operating center. This position will be responsible for configuration, reliability of servers, workstations, and applications within the Process Control Network (PCN), Process Information Network (PIN), Remote Operations Control Center (ROCC), and the Dev/Test environment.  The position will work closely with the Construction and Engineering Teams during construction of Apex’s wind, solar and storage assets in the implementation of the core SCADA and IT infrastructure.

The Application Engineer position requires communication and collaboration skills as well as the ability to work well under pressure, multitask, and shift priorities on the go. The successful candidate will be well organized, with solid analytical skills, strong attention to detail, and the ability to synthesize and conceptualize complex ideas. A passion for renewable energy is a plus.

• Hours: Full Time
• Department: Project Management
• Travel: Occasional (0 - 5%)
• Location: Apex Headquarters, Charlottesville, VA

Primary Responsibilities:

• Implement and manage Apex Asset Management’s operational technology infrastructure including point-to-point networks, edge or field computing, and remote-operations control center devices and systems.
• Review of Process Control and data acquisition block diagrams and communication specification to integrate new wind and/or solar assets and to ensure proper connectivity and compatibility between systems.
• Creation and modification of data historian points, configurations, and operations.
• Resolve various networking, Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA), and Remote Terminal Unit (RTU) and Human Machine Interface (HMI) and other industrial computing and processing issues.
• Application development and administration with data and analytics platforms
• Work with Information Technology and Data Integration teams on strategy, governance, best practices, and other opportunities to improve and advance operations through information technology, digitalization, and computer science at Apex.
• Implement and maintain backup and disaster recovery processes.
• Collaborate daily with customers, contractors, and partners to determine specific project needs and requirements and implement solutions.
• Evaluate new technology for the purpose of possible integration into Process Control network.
• Create and maintain technical documentation, document management systems and knowledge base.
• Other duties as required.
• Install, configure, maintain, troubleshoot, and upgrade applications and operating systems.
• Potential on-call support for trouble shooting through a rotational schedule.

Success Profile

To succeed as an Application Engineer at Apex Clean Energy, you’ll need to excel within the following criteria:

• Associate degree or equivalent work experience
• Familiarity/Experience/Capability with IoT Systems, PLC devices, HMI, and other devices used in remote control, monitoring and data acquisition
• Experience with Inductive Automation Ignition Software is preferred, but can provide training.
• Azure Cloud Services and Infrastructure (other clouds +)
• Ability to manage multiple projects, activities, and tasks simultaneously
• Highly developed verbal and written communication skills
• Critical thinking and ability to troubleshoot
• Demonstrated knowledge of Windows servers and desktop products (HP server exp. preferred)
• Knowledge of programming languages and databases (Python, SQL)
• Experience with Virtual Machine technologies (VMWare)
• Ability to work in Charlottesville, Virginia; occasional travel

Work Environment:

Works primarily traditional office hours in remote office environment. Flexible work hours allowed when work duties and business operations permit.

How You’ll Grow

At Apex Clean Energy, our professional development plans focus on helping people at every level of their career to identify and use their strengths to do their best work every day. From entry-level employees to senior leaders, we believe there’s always room to learn. We offer opportunities to help sharpen skills in addition to hands-on experience in the dynamic, fast-paced renewable energy industry. From on-the-job learning experiences to a robust multi-week onboarding experience to formal development programs, our professionals have a variety of opportunities to continue to grow throughout their career.

What Apex Can Offer You

At Apex Clean Energy, we know that great people make a great company. We value our people and offer employees a broad, best-in-class range of benefits.

• A mission-driven, energetic environment that supports and encourages our people to do their best work every day.
• A respect for and celebration of individuality, differences, and uniqueness
• Collaborative and driven professional workforce committed to supporting your ideas and feedback and accelerating your potential
• Ongoing support and guidance such as on-the-job learning, hands-on experience, and mentorship
• Training, strategies, and tools to support your personal and professional growth
• Team atmosphere of diverse professionals committed to making an impact as an organization
• Opportunities to volunteer and give back to our local communities
• Exceptional benefits such as medical and dental; 401(k) with corporate match
• Base and bonus commensurate with experience
• Responsible Paid Time Off plus standard company holidays
• Benefits Offered: comprehensive high-deductible health plans, dental and vision insurance plans, short-term and long-term disability, group life insurance, 401(k) corporate matching, flexible spending arrangements, company paid parking and cell phone, fitness and wellness corporate discounts

At this time, Apex will not sponsor a new applicant for employment authorization for this position.

Apex Clean Energy, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer that recruits and hires qualified candidates without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, disability, or veteran status.