Plant Engineer

NAES; Faribault (MN); On-site; USD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

9/80 work schedule

Annual performance bonus up to 15%

Job summary

NAES is seeking a Power Plant Engineer to support Faribault Energy Park in Minnesota and Minnesota River Station. You will oversee engineering, performance, and reliability across both facilities, including upcoming turbine upgrades, compliance with NERC standards, and continuous improvement initiatives.

The role reports to the Plant Manager and involves travel to multiple sites, a 9/80 work schedule, and collaboration with Operations, Maintenance, and Compliance teams.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or related field.
• Experience in power plant operations and engineering.
• Knowledge of turbine and auxiliary systems; startup/shutdown."
• Ability to perform root-cause analyses of outages and failures.
• Experience with DCS/PLC and performance monitoring.
• Experience with reliability improvements and capital projects.

Responsibilities

• Provide engineering support across Faribault Energy Park and Minnesota River Station.
• Monitor turbine performance including efficiency and heat rate.
• Investigate outages and perform root cause analyses.
• Develop and support condition‑monitoring programs.
• Coordinate with OEMs, vendors, and contractors.

Skills

Power plant operations

Turbine systems

Root cause analysis

DCS/PLC systems

Condition monitoring

Safety compliance

Vendor coordination

Analytical skills

Project budgeting

Education

Electrical Engineering degree

Job description

Faribault Energy Park is a 265 MW combined-cycle power plant in Faribault, Minnesota, featuring a GE Frame 7FA dual‑fuel combustion turbine and GE A10 steam turbine. Minnesota River Station, located in Chaska, Minnesota, is a 49 MW natural gas‑fired peaking facility powered by a Siemens SGT‑800 gas turbine. Together, the facilities provide reliable and flexible power generation to the region.

Opportunity Summary

The Power Plant Engineer supports engineering, performance, and reliability across Faribault Energy Park and Minnesota River Station (MRS). This role will play a key part in Faribault’s upcoming GE 7FA.03-to-7FA.05 turbine upgrade while serving as the primary engineering point of contact for MRS, supporting O&M planning, turbine reliability, condition‑based maintenance, and plant performance. The Power Plant Engineer also supports NERC compliance, technical improvements, and continuous improvement across both facilities while gaining broad experience that supports future leadership opportunities.

As Power Plant Engineer, you’ll make an impact through the following key responsibilities:

Plant Engineering & Reliability

• Provide engineering support across Faribault Energy Park and Minnesota River Station, troubleshooting equipment and system issues and implementing technical improvements.
• Monitor and analyze GE Frame 7FA and Siemens SGT-800 turbine performance, including efficiency, heat rate, availability, and auxiliary system performance.
• Investigate outages, equipment failures, and unusual events; perform root cause analyses and implement corrective and preventive actions.
• Evaluate and optimize DCS and PLC systems to support safe, reliable, and efficient plant startup, shutdown, and operation.
• Develop and support condition‑monitoring programs, including vibration analysis, thermography, oil analysis, instrumentation, and other predictive maintenance technologies.
• Support Operations and Maintenance with equipment troubleshooting, startup/shutdown activities, maintenance planning, and reliability initiatives.
• Maintain plant drawings, SOPs, procedures, and configuration‑control documentation to ensure technical accuracy and compliance.
• Coordinate with OEMs, vendors, engineering firms, and contractors to resolve technical issues and implement equipment modifications and improvements.
• Support reliability studies and manage capital improvement projects to improve plant availability, efficiency, and cost‑effectiveness.
• Analyze operational and performance data, track operating costs and critical spare parts, and recommend improvements that reduce downtime and optimize plant performance.
• Support safety, environmental, and emissions compliance, including audits, reporting, procedures, and training.
• Perform other engineering and operational assignments as needed to support safe, reliable, and efficient plant operations.

NERC Compliance & Reliability

• Administer and maintain the plant’s NERC Internal Control Program (ICP), ensuring applicable procedures, policies, and documentation remain current and compliant.
• Monitor and interpret NERC Reliability Standards and new requirements, coordinating implementation at the plant level.
• Coordinate with NAES NERC and other stakeholders on RSAWs, audits, compliance visits, documentation, and technical responses.
• Develop and provide training to plant personnel on applicable NERC requirements, procedures, and compliance responsibilities.

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 Power Plant Engineer reports to the Plant Manager and works closely with Operations, Maintenance, Compliance, and NAES Corporate Engineering Support Services to support plant operations, engineering, and regulatory requirements.

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

This position is eligible for a 9/80 work schedule, offering employees every other Friday off as part of a flexible work arrangement. While the role is primarily performed during standard daytime hours, occasional additional work may be required during plant outages, turnaround activities, or other critical operational events.

Travel is required to attend Manager, Owner, User Group, and other offsite meetings, as well as to provide engineering and operational support at multiple power plant sites.

Compensation

This position offers an annual base salary ranging from $150,000 to $190,000 and includes eligibility for an annual performance bonus of up to 15%.

Engineering Expertise & Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree Electrical Engineering or a related field is required. Relevant industry or military experience may be considered in lieu of education.
• Demonstrated proficiency in power plant operations and engineering, including turbine and auxiliary systems, maintenance, and startup/shutdown activities.
• Proven ability to perform root cause analysis of equipment failures and forced outages and develop corrective and preventive recommendations.
• Hands‑on knowledge of DCS/PLC systems and performance monitoring, including plant efficiency, heat rate, and availability.
• Proficiency in condition monitoring and diagnostics, including vibration analysis, thermography, oil analysis, and instrumentation.
• Background implementing reliability improvements, preventive maintenance programs, and capital projects to improve availability and reduce downtime.
• Working knowledge of safety, environmental, and regulatory compliance, including emissions monitoring and CEMS/DAHS.
• Skilled in developing procedures and training materials and coordinating with vendors, contractors, and plant personnel.
• Strong analytical, communication, reporting, budgeting, and resource management skills.
• 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.

Equal Opportunity Employer

This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.

For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.