Instrument and Controls Technician
Vicinity Energy
Company Overview
Vicinity Energy, privately owned by Antin Infrastructure Partners
Boston, Massachusetts, United States
2020
Approximately 520 employees (source: zoominfo.com)
What They Do
Vicinity Energy is a leading U.S. district energy company specializing in the production and distribution of steam, hot water, chilled water, and carbon-free steam through underground networks to buildings and campuses (source: vicinityenergy.us). Established in 2020 following Antin Infrastructure Partners' acquisition of Veolia’s U.S. district energy assets, Vicinity operates 19 district energy systems across 12 cities nationwide, serving roughly 1,000 customers through long-term contracts (source: antin-ip.com). The company focuses on central thermal infrastructure technologies including steam plants, chilled-water systems, electric boilers, industrial-scale heat pumps, and thermal storage rather than renewable generation like solar or wind (source: wikipedia.org). Vicinity is recognized as the first U.S. provider to introduce carbon-free eSteam™, an innovative solution aimed at rapidly decarbonizing customers’ thermal loads, with initial deployments in Boston and Cambridge (source: vicinityenergy.us). Their customer base primarily includes large commercial properties and campuses located in dense urban cores, where centralized energy production improves efficiency, reliability, and reduces carbon footprints (source: zoominfo.com).
Projects & Track Record
Vicinity Energy operates several notable district energy assets across the United States. Among these is the 163 MW Grays Ferry cogeneration plant in Philadelphia, which serves over 70 million square feet of building space (source: wikipedia.org). In Cambridge, the company runs the 200 MW Kendall Cogeneration Station, also serving 70 million square feet (source: wikipedia.org). Other significant systems include the Tulsa district energy plant serving 7 million square feet, Oklahoma City’s system serving 9.9 million square feet, and Kansas City’s facility serving 11 million square feet (source: wikipedia.org). The Kent County waste-to-energy and district energy system in Grand Rapids serves 10 million square feet, while Baltimore’s system covers over 30 million square feet including major institutions like the Walters Art Museum and Mercy Medical Center (source: wikipedia.org). The Atlantic Station chilled water system in Atlanta serves 4.7 million square feet, and the Trenton district energy system serves 12 million square feet (source: wikipedia.org). Vicinity’s portfolio expanded in 2020 with acquisitions such as the Watergate Energy Collaborative Utility in Washington, D.C., and West Virginia University’s district steam system in Morgantown (source: wikipedia.org).
Recent Developments
Recent initiatives at Vicinity Energy have focused on electrification and decarbonization of thermal energy systems. In April 2022, the company launched eSteam™, marking the first U.S. innovation to electrify district energy operations using renewable thermal energy, initially deployed in Boston and Cambridge (source: wikipedia.org). In April 2023, Vicinity partnered with MAN Energy Solutions, based in Augsburg, Germany, to develop low-temperature source heat pump systems for steam generation, aiming to enhance sustainability (source: wikipedia.org). The company plans to install an industrial-scale heat pump complex at its Cambridge facility powered by renewable electricity, designed to harvest heat from the Charles River while protecting the river environment by returning water at a lower temperature (source: wikipedia.org). In November 2023, Vicinity announced the arrival of a 42 MW industrial-scale electric boiler at the Kendall Square facility in Cambridge, further advancing its electrification goals (source: wikipedia.org). The company is committed to achieving net-zero carbon emissions across its operations by 2050 or sooner (source: wikipedia.org).
Working There
Vicinity Energy offers a range of roles spanning plant operations, maintenance, engineering, distribution, commercial functions, and technical trades, reflecting its operations-heavy business model (source: indeed.com). Job postings include positions such as Plant Engineer, Technician, Maintenance Mechanic, Account Manager, Operations Manager, Test Manager, and Skilled Laborer, with responsibilities covering site engineering support, project management, troubleshooting, and thermal performance monitoring (source: indeed.com). The company’s Boston headquarters and additional operating sites make the area a key hiring location, with roles requiring skills in carpentry, concrete, excavation, piping insulation, and masonry, often within unionized environments such as IUOE Local 877 (source: indeed.com). Compensation packages include competitive salaries, bonuses, personal and parental leave, paid holidays, and 401(k) plans with matching contributions, reflecting a structured benefits program (source: indeed.com). Vicinity’s culture emphasizes solving complex clean energy challenges within a niche sector that bridges utilities, industrial engineering, and building services, offering employees the opportunity to contribute to large-scale thermal utility operations and rapid decarbonization efforts (source: vicinityenergy.us).
Last updated on May 19, 2026 | Report an issue
Job Description
Vicinity Energy is North America's largest provider of district energy solutions, offering low carbon energy to most of the iconic buildings you see in the skylines of Boston, Cambridge, Philadelphia, Baltimore and many other cities in the US. As a member of the communities we serve, all of us at Vicinity understand the critical role we play in reducing the impacts of climate change and being a leader in decarbonization. We are committed to net zero and eliminating our reliance on fossil fuels, but we need the best and the brightest minds on our team to help us reach our goal, not only for us as a company, but for our customers, our communities, and our planet.
Summary
The Instrument and Controls Technician is responsible for controls system maintenance. This is a full-time non-exempt position and reports to the Electrical Supervisor. This position is a member of the Bargaining Unit Member of the IBEW, Local 614. This position is located in Philadelphia, PA.
Responsibilities
- PLC troubleshooting and programming.
- HMI troubleshooting and programming.
- SCADA & DCS controls systems troubleshooting and programming.
- Respond to any equipment downtime issues in the plant to assist in resolving issues quickly.
- Ability to install and troubleshoot field wiring and instruments.
- This position will also be responsible to assist with mechanical repairs when required.
- Troubleshoots, replaces and calibrates electrical sensors including: photoelectric, inductive, capacitive, pressure, temperature, and position sensors.
- Troubleshoots, repairs, and replaces PLC/HMI based hardware including: processors, discrete and analog I/O cards, power supplies, network adapters, and dedicated HMIs such as Panelview.
- Follows data and signals from one controller to another over various networks.
- Test, troubleshoot, and modify PLC control system applications.
- Test, troubleshoot, and modify SCADA control system applications.
- Read and understand control system design documents including: P&ID, control system schematics, wiring drawings, I/O lists, SAMA diagrams, pneumatic and hydraulic drawings, and written design specifications.
Basic Qualifications
- A high school diploma, or equivalent, or technical training.
- Minimum 3 years of controls system maintenance in an industrial setting.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience with Ovation, Wonderware, and Allen Bradley.
- CEMS experience.
Other Qualifications
- Works well in a team environment.
- Excellent communication skills; must be able to communicate clearly and succinctly when speaking and writing.
Physical Requirements
- Must submit to company provided pre-employment physical exam and drug screening.
- Ability to climb and work at elevations, including exhaust stacks of roughly 250 feet.
- Standing, sitting, climbing stairs, bending, stooping, pushing, pulling, walking on uneven surfaces, and grating, working from elevated platforms, scaffolding or ladders, required to lift up to and including 50 pounds and maneuver up to and including 100 pounds.
- Ability to tolerate confined spaces, including manholes and varying temperatures and weather conditions.
- Exposed to temperature extremes, high noise level areas, high pressure steam lines, rotating equipment, and dusty/dirty environment.
EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY POLICY STATEMENT Vicinity Energy is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer. It is the policy of the Company to provide equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information.
Apply now
Job expired?Please let Vicinity Energy know you found this job on Rejobs. It helps us grow and get more people working in renewable energy.
Apply now
Job expired?Please let Vicinity Energy know you found this job on Rejobs. It helps us grow and get more people working in renewable energy.
See how you’re connected
View connectionsSee your contacts at Vicinity Energy on LinkedIn and tap your network when applying for this position.
Get job alerts
Get alerts for District Heating jobs in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
Join Talent Pool
Let clean energy employers find you
About the role
June 18, 2026
Full time
Company
- Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
Minimum 3 years of controls system maintenance in an industrial setting.
UTC-05:00