Lead Mechanical Engineer - Mechanical System Owner

Duke Energy; Citrus (CA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Duke Energy is seeking a Lead Mechanical Engineer for the Citrus Combined Cycle Station. You will serve as the primary Mechanical System Owner, guiding reliability, lifecycle planning, outages and optimization to support safe, compliant operation.

The role requires extensive engineering experience, PE licensure, and the ability to lead complex investigations, develop maintenance strategies, and coordinate multi-disciplinary teams across Operations, Projects and OEMs.

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science in Engineering from an ABET-accredited program; PE license.
• Minimum 8 years of engineering experience and professional licensure.
• Advanced engineering knowledge with independent problem solving and project lead ability.

Responsibilities

• Serve as system owner for assigned mechanical systems with accountability for performance.
• Monitor system health using data, PI trends, predictive maintenance results, inspections and history.
• Lead outages, root cause analyses, corrective actions, and resolution of complex issues.
• Develop maintenance, replacement, upgrade, OEM, obsolescence, and spare-parts strategies with prioritization.
• Coordinate capital and O&M projects from business case through closeout.
• Maintain drawings and equipment data; support Maximo-based work management.
• Ensure safety, environmental, regulatory compliance; share lessons learned and provide guidance.

Skills

Engineering problem solving

Risk management

Technical leadership

Communication

Education

ABET-accredited BS in Engineering

Professional Engineer (PE) license

Tools

Maximo

PowerPlan

PI Vision

Microsoft Office

ACT

Job description

Lead Mechanical Engineer

More than a career - a chance to make a difference in people's lives. Build an exciting, rewarding career with us – help us make a difference for millions of people every day. Consider joining the Duke Energy team, where you'll find a friendly work environment, opportunities for growth and development, recognition for your work, and competitive pay and benefits.

The Lead Mechanical Engineer serves as the primary Mechanical System Owner and technical authority for assigned plant assets at Citrus Combined Cycle Station. The position supports safe, reliable, environmentally compliant, and cost-effective operation through equipment reliability, lifecycle planning, outage support, troubleshooting, risk management, and project execution.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as system owner for assigned mechanical systems and equipment, with accountability for condition, performance, reliability, maintenance strategy, and long-range planning.
• Monitor system health through operating data, PI trends, predictive maintenance results, inspections, equipment history, and engineering evaluations.
• Provide daily and emergent technical support; lead equipment failure reviews, root cause analyses, corrective actions, and resolution of complex operating or reliability issues.
• Develop maintenance, replacement, upgrade, OEM, obsolescence, and spare-parts strategies; work with Operations and Maintenance to establish priorities.
• Provide engineering leadership for planned and forced outages, including scopes, inspections, repair decisions, contractor coordination, technical evaluations, and post-outage follow-up.
• Identify, justify, develop, and manage capital and O&M projects, including business cases, estimates, schedules, specifications, procurement support, execution, commissioning, and closeout.
• Maintain configuration control for drawings, calculations, technical records, and equipment data; support work management and asset information in Maximo.
• Support plant health, asset risk, annual budgeting, capital forecasting, and PowerPlan portfolio development.
• Coordinate with Operations, Maintenance, Planning, Projects, OEMs, contractors, safety and environmental specialists, and internal subject matter experts.
• Ensure compliance with applicable safety, environmental, regulatory, corporate, and industry requirements; share lessons learned and provide technical guidance and training.

Basic/Required Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science in Engineering from an ABET-accredited program, or a qualifying advanced engineering degree.
• Minimum of 8 years of engineering experience and a Professional Engineer license in current standing.
• Advanced engineering knowledge with the ability to independently solve complex problems, manage work, and prepare and present technical recommendations.

Please note that in order to be considered for this position, you must possess all of the basic/required qualifications.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor degree in Mechanical Engineering and combined-cycle power plant operations, maintenance, outage, or project experience.
• Knowledge of combustion turbines, steam turbines, HRSGs, steam and condensate systems, pumps, cooling water systems, rotating equipment, valves, pressure parts, and mechanical integrity programs.
• Experience with ASME codes, HRSG inspection and repair, flow-accelerated corrosion, corrosion under insulation, high-energy piping, technical specifications, contracts, budgeting, and project management.
• Experience with Maximo, PowerPlan, PI Vision, Microsoft Office, and ACT.

Specific Requirements

• Must have obtained Bachelor of Science in Engineering from an ABET accredited program and PE
• Minimum of 8 years of engineering experience
• Professional Engineer registration
• A Master's degree in Engineering will be considered in lieu of the B.S. Engineering degree.

Working Conditions

• Primarily onsite at Citrus Combined Cycle Station, including work in operating plant and outage environments.
• After-hours, weekend, outage, emergent support, and station duty-call participation may be required.

Travel Requirements

5-15%

Relocation Assistance

Relocation Assistance Provided (as applicable)

Union Representation

Yes Represented/Union Position

Visa Sponsorship

No Visa Sponsored Position

This is not a Visa Sponsored Position.

This role requires the ability to work lawfully in the U.S. without employment-based immigration sponsorship, now or in the future.

Diversity & Inclusion

Duke Energy values ideas that come from a diverse and inclusive workforce, and we’re dedicated to providing a work environment where all people are valued, respected and able to reach their full potential.

Duke Energy is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, including but not limited to lactation, religion, national origin, ancestry, ethnicity, citizenship, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, marital status, physical or mental disability, genetic information, medical condition, military status, or protected veteran status. Duke Energy complies with all applicable state, federal and local laws, regulations and ordinances prohibiting discrimination.