Lead Mechanical Design Engineer

Omaha Public Power District; Omaha (NE); On-site; USD 121,000 - 151,000; Full time

Job summary

Omaha Public Power District is seeking a Lead Mechanical Design Engineer to drive major capital upgrades at fossil-fuel generating stations. You will lead mechanical system design, evaluate industrial equipment, and deliver projects from concept through commissioning.

In this role you will manage budgets, scopes, and schedules while coordinating internal and external resources, and ensuring safe, high-quality execution across multiple sites and contracts.

Qualifications

• Registration as a Professional Engineer in Nebraska or ability to obtain Nebraska registration within 6 months through reciprocity and experience.
• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering.
• Experience leading engineering teams on major power plant projects.

Responsibilities

• Direct daily engineering team operations by assigning work and monitoring progress.
• Provide technical leadership for mechanical system design, evaluations, drawings, installation packages, and testing.
• Lead project management including budgets, scopes, schedules, and resource coordination.
• Oversee procurement and construction management, including materials, contractors, and field oversight.
• Drive process improvements, standards, and team performance across engineering.
• Ensure compliance with codes and internal standards for fossil plant upgrades.

Skills

Mechanical design

Project leadership

Team coordination

Communication skills

Travel readiness

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering

Job description

What This Role Delivers

The Lead Mechanical Design Engineer plays a critical role in OPPD's mission to provide affordable, reliable, and environmentally responsible energy. As part of the Design Engineering group, this position leads major capital upgrades and system improvement projects at OPPD's fossil-fuel generating stations. This includes designing mechanical systems, evaluating industrial equipment, and delivering projects related to turbines, heat-exchange systems, pumps, piping, and plant support systems.

The role leads project and construction activities from concept through commissioning including budgeting, design oversight, procurement coordination, contractor support, and final closeout ensuring high-quality engineering execution and safe, reliable plant performance.

What You'll Do

• Direct daily engineering team operations by assigning work, monitoring progress, and ensuring alignment with project priorities and OPPD's strategic goals.

• Provide technical leadership and design oversight for major power plant projects, including mechanical system design, evaluations, specifications, drawings, installation packages, and testing procedures.

• Lead project management activities such as developing budgets, establishing project scopes, managing schedules, and coordinating internal and external resources from initiation to completion.

• Oversee procurement and construction management activities, including ordering materials, managing contractors, performing field oversight, and ensuring safe, high-quality execution.

• Drive continuous improvement initiatives that strengthen processes, technical standards, and team performance across the engineering organization.

• Guide technical reviews, ensure engineering quality, and maintain adherence to industry codes, internal standards, and best practices for fossil plant upgrades.

What You Will Bring

• Demonstrated ability to successfully complete essential duties with or without reasonable accommodation.

• Registration as a Professional Engineer in the State of Nebraska or ability to obtain Nebraska registration within 6 months through reciprocity and relevant experience.

What Will Help You Stand Out

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering

• Significant experience in mechanical system design, industrial equipment evaluation, or power plant engineering

• Demonstrated ability to lead engineering teams, coordinate complex projects, and provide technical direction

• Experience with turbines, mechanical process systems, or capital equipment modifications

• Ability to manage engineering workstreams from concept through construction, including budgeting and procurement

• Strong communication skills with ability to collaborate across operations, maintenance, construction, and leadership teams

Work Location

• Office: Work will be performed in a modern office environment amid normal conditions of dust, odors, fumes, and noises.

• Field: Work will be performed outside in a wide variety of weather conditions (snow, rain, heat, cold, wind, etc.), terrain, and other natural environmental hazards as well as pollen and other airborne allergens.

• Generation Plant: Work will be performed inside with exposure to industrial building conditions and may include extreme temperatures, odors, dust, gases, poor ventilation, and loud noise levels.

• Travel: Must be able to travel throughout the service territory and report to various locations in a timely manner as needed.

Work Environment

• Work will be performed in high traffic environments.

• Will work around energized high voltage electrical equipment.

• Will work in construction areas that present many physical hazards.

• Will work at heights.

• Will work in closed or confined spaces.

• Will work around asbestos and lead.

Strength Factor

Exerting 20 to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or 10 to 25 pounds of force frequently, and/or greater than negligible up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects. Physical Demand requirements are in excess of those for Light Work.

Salary/Wage Info

Grade: S7

Minimum: $121,013

Midpoint: $151,266

Our Culture & Mission

At Omaha Public Power District, everything starts with people - our teams, our communities, and the customer owners who count on us. As the 12th largest public power utility in the U.S., we serve more than 900,000 people across 13 counties, and we take that responsibility seriously.

We lead with integrity, support one another, and do what's right, because how we serve matters just as much as what we deliver. Our goal is simple: provide affordable, reliable, and environmentally responsible energy today and for generations to come.

We create power with purpose. Your work here has real impact; on families, on the environment, and on the future of energy. And we believe great ideas can come from anywhere.

If you want to be part of a team that takes care of the community and the people who serve it, you're in the right place. We back up our mission by taking care of our employees, too; which is why our benefits are among the most comprehensive and competitive in the region.

EOE: Protected Veterans/Disability

If you would like to request an accommodation in order to apply for a position with OPPD, please email OPPD Talent Acquisition at [e-mail] .