Operations and Maintenance (O&M) Technician

NAES; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 66,000 - 77,000; Full time

Job summary

NAES Corporation seeks an O&M Technician for Tejas Power Generation Facility in Houston, TX. You will operate LM6000 and Siemens 501 D5 turbines, monitor systems, and perform inspections and repairs to ensure safe, reliable plant performance.

Responsibilities include startup/shutdown, troubleshooting, documentation, and coordination with staff and contractors while complying with safety and environmental requirements.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent is required; an associate degree in power plant technology or engineering is preferred.
• Hands-on operations and maintenance experience in power generation or similar industrial environments.
• Strong knowledge of gas turbine and mechanical systems, including startup/shutdown, troubleshooting, and repair.
• Experience inspecting, troubleshooting, disassembling, repairing pumps, valves, and turbine components.
• Ability to read P&IDs, F&IDs, electrical schematics, and other technical documents.
• Knowledge of SAFETY, LOTO, OSHA requirements and environmental regulations.

Responsibilities

• Operate and monitor LM6000 and Siemens 501 D5 turbines and auxiliary systems.
• Perform safe startup, shutdown, and routine operation per procedures.
• Monitor SCADA and CMMS, respond to alarms, and adjust operations as needed.
• Conduct plant walkdowns, inspections, and tests to identify issues.
• Maintain logs, records, and equipment histories for reliability and compliance.

Skills

Hands-on experience

Troubleshooting

Analytical thinking

Communication

Teamwork

Reading P&IDs

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Associate degree in power plant tech/engineering (preferred)

Tools

SCADA systems

CMMS

Job description

The Tejas Power Generation Facility is a 247 MW simple-cycle gas-fired facility featuring three LM6000 PC units totaling approximately 126 MW and a 121 MW Siemens 501 D5 gas turbine. Equipped with AGC, evaporative cooling, water injection for NOx control, SCR, and Allen-Bradley PLC controls, the plant supports peak energy demand within ERCOT’s Houston Zone.

Opportunity Summary

The Operations and Maintenance (O&M) Technician supports the safe, reliable, and efficient operation and maintenance of Tejas Power Generation Facility. This position operates and monitors LM6000 PC and Siemens 501 D5 gas turbines and associated auxiliary systems while performing equipment inspections, troubleshooting, preventive maintenance, and minor repairs. The O&M Technician works closely with plant personnel and contractors to maintain equipment reliability, environmental compliance, and overall plant performance.

Your scope of responsibility as O&M Technician will include the following primary functions:

• Operate and monitor LM6000 and Siemens 501 D5 gas turbines and auxiliary systems, including LP Sprint, inlet chilling, ammonia injection, and emissions-control equipment.
• Perform safe startup, shutdown, and routine operation of turbine generators and balance-of-plant systems in accordance with operating procedures and equipment limitations.
• Monitor Allen-Bradley PLC and SCADA systems, respond to alarms, troubleshoot operating conditions, and make appropriate adjustments to maintain reliable plant operation.
• Conduct plant walkdowns, inspections, and operating tests using P&IDs, F&IDs, system diagrams, and operating procedures to identify and resolve equipment issues.
• Monitor equipment condition and operating parameters, including temperature, pressure, vibration, fluid levels, leaks, and abnormal conditions, taking appropriate corrective action.
• Perform preventive and corrective maintenance, troubleshoot and repair mechanical equipment, and assist with major maintenance activities, outages, and equipment repairs.
• Safely perform equipment switching, isolation, and LOTO activities on mechanical and electrical systems in accordance with plant procedures and established authorization levels.
• Operate plant vehicles, cranes, hoists, welding and cutting equipment, and other tools as qualified and required to support operations and maintenance activities.
• Maintain accurate operating logs, CMMS records, preventive and predictive maintenance documentation, equipment history, drawings, manuals, and other technical records.
• Support spare-parts inventories and material requirements while coordinating with plant personnel, contractors, and vendors to support maintenance execution and equipment availability.
• Follow OSHA, environmental, and plant safety requirements; participate in required training and emergency response drills; and perform additional duties as assigned.
• Complete other tasks and projects as assigned by the Plant Manager or designee.

NAES Safe

Safety is a core value at NAES, and as a condition of employment, all employees are expected to remain mentally alert and work safely at all times. Employees must also adhere to all safety warnings and posted signs while on company property. Additionally, they are required to follow all NAES safety rules and procedures. Adherence to these safety responsibilities is one of the key factors in the evaluation of each employee’s performance.

Working Relationships

The O&M Technician reports directly to the O&M Supervisor and receives general direction from plant management. Additionally, this position will coordinate with all other plant personnel to ensure safe and reliable plant operations.

Physical Requirements And Working Conditions

Physical requirements include standing for extended periods of time, climbing stairs and ladders, working from elevated platforms and walkways at varying heights, and routinely lifting up to 50 pounds.

Power plant environment that may involve entering confined spaces, crawling through narrow areas, and handling hazardous materials, with exposure to fumes, extreme temperatures, and noise. Work may include high heat near equipment and varying outdoor weather conditions. Some duties may require the use of protective equipment, which can include hard hats, safety glasses, and eye protection, air masks/respirators, ear protection, chemical suits, flame-resistant clothing (FRC), hot gloves, high-voltage protective gear, and fall protection. Fit testing for respirators may be required. Strict smoking restrictions apply in and around the facility.

Fitness for Duty

All personnel will participate in the Fitness for Duty Program, which includes a post-offer physical examination, drug screening, and post-employment random drug screening.

Work Schedule

The O&M Technician follows a Monday-to-Friday schedule, rotating through three overlapping 8-hour shifts: first shift from 6:00 AM to 2:00 PM, second shift from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, and third shift from 4:00 PM to 12:00 AM. This position will require extended hours, flexible shifts, weekends, and holidays as needed to support plant operations and business needs and may also require callout availability. Depending on the position, on-call status may or may not apply.

Compensation

This position offers a base pay rate ranging from $48 to $56 per hour, along with eligibility for an annual performance bonus.

Core Qualifications And Skills

• High school diploma or equivalent required; an associate degree in power plant technology, engineering, or a related technical field is preferred. Relevant power generation, industrial, technical, or military experience may be considered in lieu of additional education.
• Hands-on operations and maintenance experience in power generation or a comparable industrial environment; simple-cycle combustion turbine experience is strongly preferred.
• Strong knowledge of gas turbine and mechanical systems, including startup, shutdown, troubleshooting, maintenance, and repair of mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic, and electrical equipment.
• Experience inspecting, troubleshooting, disassembling, repairing, and reassembling pumps, valves, turbine-generator equipment, and other plant mechanical components.
• Working knowledge of gas turbine controls, CEMS, SCR systems, electrical distribution equipment, process controls, and monitoring of plant operating parameters.
• Ability to read and interpret P&IDs, F&IDs, electrical schematics, wiring diagrams, blueprints, operating procedures, and other technical documentation.
• Working knowledge of plant safety and environmental requirements, including LOTO, equipment isolation, OSHA requirements, confined space entry, PPE, and safe work practices.
• Strong troubleshooting, analytical, communication, and teamwork skills, with the ability to maintain accurate technical and CMMS documentation and coordinate effectively with plant personnel and contractors.
• Must possess a valid, unrestricted U.S. driver’s license and ensure it remains in good standing at all times.

About NAES

NAES Corporation is a leading provider of operations, maintenance, and engineering services for energy facilities. We serve clients across the power generation, oil and gas, and renewable energy sectors throughout North America and internationally, supporting the full life cycle of power generation and other industrial facilities.

NAES is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace. Employment decisions are based on merit and qualifications, without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, disability, military status, USERRA-protected status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.