For a power plant project we urgently require a freelance specialist for the migration and adaptation of the ABB 800xA control system.
Typical tasks in this role:**
Implement programming and commissioning with the ABB 800xA distributed control system.
Migrate existing control logic to the new system version, including adapting controllers and I/O modules.
Create and adjust process graphics, operator interfaces, and alarm management configurations.
Perform system tests, troubleshooting and performance optimizations to ensure plant availability and control capability.
Provide technical support to operations staff during commissioning and ramp-up.
Prepare and maintain technical documentation (functional diagrams, configuration descriptions, test protocols).
Work closely with the process engineering, electrical engineering departments and the plant operator.
Relevant technologies, tools or methods:**
Control system: ABB Ability™ System 800xA (including AC 800M Controller, Information Management, Batch Control).
Engineering tools: Control Builder M, Process Graphics Migration Tool, Bulk Data Manager.
Fieldbuses: PROFIBUS, Foundation Fieldbus, Modbus.
Virtualization: VMware, Hyper-V for testing and development environments.
Databases: SQL skills for analysis of historical data (e.g. 800xA History).
Knowledge of relevant standards for process and power plant engineering (e.g. IEC 61508, IEC 61511).
Typical KPIs or success metrics:**
Migration speed: Number of system components/functions migrated per week/month.
System availability: Control system uptime after migration > 99.9%.
Commissioning error rate: Critical software bugs after go-live < 5.
Test coverage: Percentage of successfully executed and documented test cases > 95%.
Project schedule adherence: Completion of migration and commissioning by the agreed deadline.
Operator acceptance: Positive feedback from operations staff on the new system environment.
Key challenges, risks or specifics:**
Brownfield migration with minimal downtime.
Ensuring compatibility between old and new system components (hardware/software).
High complexity of plant process logic (e.g. boiler control, turbine regulation).
Risk of cybersecurity vulnerabilities in networked control systems (e.g. CVEs for 800xA).
Managing interfaces to third-party systems (e.g. MES, ERP).
Need for intensive and precise collaboration between control, process engineering and operations.
Concrete deliverables:**
Migrated and functional control logic on the target system.
Fully tested and customer-approved process graphics and operator interfaces.
Acceptance reports for Factory Acceptance Test (FAT) and Site Acceptance Test (SAT).
Updated technical plant documentation.
Final migration report with lessons learned.
Trained operations personnel.
Must-haves:**
Degree in automation, electrical or control engineering, or comparable qualification as a technician with many years of experience.
Several years of in-depth project experience with ABB 800xA control system, ideally in a power plant environment.
Proven experience in programming, visualization and commissioning of distributed control systems.
Experience in performing system migrations.
Willingness to work on site in an industrial plant.
Nice-to-haves:**
ABB certifications for System 800xA (e.g. Certified Engineer).
Knowledge in functional safety (SIL).
Experience with virtualization technologies and network engineering.
Knowledge in secondary and primary control of power plants.
Personal qualities and mindset:**
Strong analytical and systematic problem-solving skills.
High reliability and strong sense of responsibility and safety awareness.
Good communication and teamwork skills for working in interdisciplinary project teams.
Resilience and flexibility, especially during critical commissioning phases.
Independent and structured working style.