Mechanical Engineer

Alaska Power and Telephone; Alaska; On-site; USD 100,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision care

401K

Annual travel reimbursement

Job summary

Alaska Power and Telephone is seeking a Mechanical Engineer with five or more years of utility or industrial experience, based in Alaska or the Pacific Northwest. Field work and up to 25% travel are required.

The role focuses on designing rotating equipment, supporting hydroelectric and diesel plants, and ensuring safety and regulatory compliance. The successful candidate will lead projects, coordinate with mechanics and electricians, and help manage budgets and schedules while advancing

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or higher in engineering or a technical field.
• Five+ years of field and design experience in utilities or industrial installations.
• Experience with diesel and hydro power generation preferred.
• Travel up to 25% and ability to pass background/drug checks.

Responsibilities

• Develop designs from concept through construction for rotating equipment.
• Support hydroelectric and diesel plant maintenance programs.
• Provide operational support across plant facilities, including after-hours troubleshooting.
• Investigate design problems, prepare reports, specs, and requisitions.
• Install, test, start up, upgrade, and repair equipment with trades staff.
• Prepare SOPs, safety procedures, and review for NESC compliance.
• Assist with yearly budgeting, planning, and project tracking.

Skills

AutoCAD

MS Office

Project management

Field work

Team communication

Safety awareness

Education

Engineering or technical degree

Tools

MS Office

CAD software

Job description

Mechanical Engineer

Alaska Power & Telephone is hiring for a full-time Mechanical Engineer with five or more years of utility or industrial experience working out of an APT&T office or a home‑base location in Alaska or the Pacific Northwest. This position will require field work and travel up to 25%.

AP&T is an employee‑owned, vertically integrated utility that independently owns and operates ten isolated power systems across a large expanse of Alaska. We incorporate hydro, solar and diesel resources to provide economic power to the communities we serve. As a small utility we offer a diversity of experience. We work together to safely integrate innovative new generation resources, renewables, address day‑to‑day operational issues, install and maintain rotating equipment, address regulatory requirements and other such tasks. The successful candidate will work to find their own relative strengths within our engineering staff and ultimately take leadership on a variety of projects.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Develop engineering designs, conceptual through construction, for rotating equipment: generators, motors, auxiliary systems, and other plant equipment.
• Support hydroelectric and diesel plant maintenance programs.
• Provide operational support across diesel, hydro, and other plant facilities, including occasional after‑hours emergency troubleshooting.
• Investigate and resolve design problems; develop corrective‑action plans; prepare reports, standards, specifications, RFPs, and material requisitions.
• Perform equipment installation, testing, startup, upgrades, and repairs, working closely with mechanics, plant operators, and electricians.
• Prepare SOPs and safety procedures, and review facilities for NESC compliance.
• Work with technical staff on yearly budgeting, planning, and project tracking.

Required Qualifications

• 2- or 4-year engineering or technical degree in a relevant area of study.
• Five or more years of field and design experience with plant typical of small utility or industrial installations (50 to 5,000 kW range).
• Basic knowledge of diesel engine technologies and construction practices.
• Ability to self‑motivate, manage time, plan projects, and communicate with other team members.
• Ability to safely identify hazards and work around electrical and mechanical equipment.
• Familiar with AutoCAD, Microsoft Office and other similar basic computer tools.
• Current passport and ability to travel to other locations; up to 25% of workload will involve travel.
• Mental flexibility, willingness to learn unfamiliar parts of the job and a positive attitude.
• Must be able to pass a pre‑employment drug test and background check; may be subject to random screening at any time.
• Background in power generation and distribution systems, equipment and design practices.

Desired Qualifications

• Mechanical Engineer Professional Engineer registered in Alaska.
• Seven or more years of utility or industrial experience.
• Familiar with isolated Alaskan communities and challenges of travel and planning projects in the region.
• Hands‑on experience specifying, supervising installation and maintenance of hydro and diesel electric generation systems.
• High level of skill in Pelton and Turgo hydroelectric turbine design and systems.
• Knowledge of engineering design principles and engineering standards and codes applicable to electric utility.
• Experience with the use of hand and power tools.

Physical Requirements of the Position

• At times work will be performed in loud environments requiring hearing protection.
• At times work will be performed in non-temperature-controlled environments.
• At times work will be performed around rotating equipment.
• At times work will be performed while sitting, standing, crouching, squatting and reaching at heights.
• At times work will be performed in a standard office environment with regularly scheduled working hours.
• Must be capable of safely lifting of up to 60 pounds on occasion, maintaining good balance.
• Safety and PPE must be worn at all times when performing work in the field.
• Occasional travel may be required by small planes, ferry, helicopter, boats, and/or ATV.

The pay range for this position is $100,000.00 to $140,000.00 annually and is DOE. AP&T offers a generous benefit package including (but not limited to) medical, dental, vision, 401K, a $5,000.00 annual medical travel reimbursement for employees in Alaska, up to $125.00 annual medivac insurance reimbursement, and employee stock ownership options. AP&T is a small employee‑owned utility serving over 40 Alaskan communities and villages.

AP&T is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We consider all qualified applicants, including Veterans and individuals with disabilities. We are a Drug & Alcohol‑Free Workplace.

Must have the ability to pass pre‑employment background check and drug test. Subject to random testing without notice.