Plant Engineer

NAES; Linden (NJ); On-site; USD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

NAES is seeking a Plant Engineer for the Linden Cogeneration Plant to drive reliability, efficiency, and safety of plant operations. You will lead engineering programs, monitor performance, and manage predictive maintenance and water treatment systems to optimize operations.

You will oversee capital improvements, vendor partnerships, and regulatory compliance, coaching teams and ensuring safety across Operations and Maintenance functions, with occasional travel and on-call duties.

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science or Master’s degree in an engineering discipline preferred, or extensive operation/maintenance background in power generation.
• TWIC credential obtainable upon hire.
• Experience managing or supporting facility operations and maintenance in the power generation sector.
• Understanding of power plant operations and maintenance.
• Knowledge of regulatory compliance standards (NERC, FERC).
• Project management skills or certification (e.g., PMP).
• Proficiency with PI and CEMS/DAS programs.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite; advanced Excel with macros.
• Excellent writing, analytical, organizational, and interpersonal skills.
• Must possess a valid U.S. driver’s license.

Responsibilities

• Lead monitoring and documentation of outages and losses with root cause analyses.
• Analyze plant performance data to identify trends and improve reliability and output.
• Direct water treatment and production programs to maintain standards and compliance.
• Support outage planning, scheduling, and technical oversight to minimize downtime.
• Manage and improve predictive maintenance programs (vibration analysis, air leakage monitoring, etc.).
• Investigate equipment failures and recommend corrective actions and long-term reliability strategies.
• Lead the Management of Change (MOC) process for safety and compliance.
• Oversee operations modeling, data collection, and reporting (GADS).
• Maintain engineering documentation with proper version control.
• Promote a culture of safety and ensure compliance with NAES Safety Programs.
• Maintain licenses and access credentials (TWIC, site badge, driver’s license).
• Ensure compliance with NERC, ASME codes, and industry best practices.

Skills

Power plant operations

Regulatory compliance

Project management

PI/CEMS/DAS

Microsoft Office

Excel macros

Data analysis

Communication/writing

Driver's license

Education

Bachelor's or Master’s degree in engineering

Tools

PI

CEMS/DAS

Job description

Opportunity Summary

The Plant Engineer at the Linden Cogeneration Plant will drive the reliability, efficiency, and safety of plant operations by leading engineering programs, monitoring performance, and managing predictive maintenance and water treatment systems. This role oversees strategic projects, capital improvements, and vendor partnerships while coordinating with internal teams and external stakeholders to optimize operations and implement continuous improvement initiatives. The Plant Engineer also ensures regulatory compliance, enforces a culture of safety, and provides leadership support across Operations and Maintenance functions.

Your scope of responsibility as Plant Engineer includes the following primary functions:

Plant Engineering, Operations & Maintenance

• Lead the monitoring and documentation of forced outages and generation losses, conducting thorough root cause analyses to prevent recurrence.
• Analyze plant performance data to identify trends, diagnose inefficiencies, and implement strategies that optimize reliability and output.
• Direct and supervise water treatment and production programs to maintain operational standards and regulatory compliance.
• Support outage planning and execution, including scheduling, resource allocation, and technical oversight to minimize downtime.
• Manage predictive maintenance programs, including vibration analysis, air-in leakage monitoring, and other diagnostic techniques, to proactively maintain equipment reliability.
• Investigate equipment failures, providing recommendations for corrective actions, preventative measures, and long-term reliability strategies.
• Lead the Management of Change (MOC) process, ensuring all modifications to systems, procedures, or equipment are reviewed, approved, and documented for safety and compliance.
• Oversee operations modeling, data collection, and GADS entry/validation to ensure accurate reporting and informed decision-making across plant systems.
• Maintain and organize all engineering documentation, including procedures, site drawings, technical manuals, and records of operational or system modifications, ensuring accuracy, accessibility, and proper version control for all relevant personnel.
• Promote and enforce a culture of safety, ensuring compliance with all NAES Safety Programs and site-specific safety requirements.
• Maintain all required licenses and access credentials, including a valid driver’s license, P66 site access badge, TWIC card, and any other certifications necessary for safe and authorized plant operations.
• Ensure compliance with applicable regulations, including NERC standards, ASME codes, and industry best practices.

Project Management & Continuous Improvement

• Manage strategic projects from conception through completion, coordinating across Operations, Maintenance, and Leadership teams.
• Plan, budget, and manage capital improvement projects, ensuring alignment with organizational priorities and fiscal accountability.
• Prepare, evaluate, and approve RFPs and bid packages while managing vendor selection and ensuring adherence to contractual and safety requirements.
• Establish and maintain strong partnerships with internal stakeholders, external engineers, contractors, and regulatory agencies to drive operational improvements.
• Serve as a backup for the Maintenance Manager and Operations Manager, providing leadership and decision-making support as required.
• Review plant operations and design practices to identify opportunities for cost savings, efficiency improvements, and sustainable operations.
• Lead technology and plant upgrade initiatives by evaluating emerging solutions, recommending enhancements, and implementing innovations.

Perform additional duties as needed to support plant operations, engineering, and improvement initiatives.

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. All NAES managers and supervisors have a direct and important role in ensuring that all work is performed in a healthy and safe manner. Effectiveness in carrying out this responsibility is part of the evaluation of each Supervisor’s performance.

Working Relationships

The Plant Engineer (PE) reports directly to the Plant Manager. The PE will coordinate with the Maintenance Manager, Operations Manager, EH&S Manager, Administrative Manager, and others as needed in the daily operation of the Plant. Maintains a positive relationship with NAES Corporate Engineering Support Services and Owner staff.

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 Plant Engineer (PE) works a standard Monday to Friday day shift schedule, ensuring consistent plant operation and support during regular business hours.

This position will also occasionally necessitate extended working hours and flexible shifts as needed, including weekends and holidays, in response to schedules, workload demands, and plant conditions. Periodic callouts or "On call" status will also be required.

Some travel may be involved to participate in Manager, Owner, User Group, or other offsite meetings.

Compensation

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

Professional Expertise & Qualifications

We are seeking an individual who has a passion for excellence in activities that contribute to the long-term maintenance and operations of power plant performance. Your work history will demonstrate progressively increasing responsibilities with experience working in a power plant environment.

• Bachelor of Science or Master’s degree in an engineering discipline preferred. In lieu of an engineering degree, candidates should possess an extensive operation and/or maintenance background in power generation.
• Must currently possess or be able to obtain a Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) upon hire.
• Experience managing or supporting facility operations and maintenance in the power generation sector. This experience is crucial for overseeing all aspects of operations and maintenance.
• A thorough, demonstrated understanding of power plant operations and maintenance activities. Essential for managing plant performance, investigating issues, and ensuring operational efficiency.
• Knowledge of regulatory compliance standards in the power industry, including NERC, and FERC requirements. Necessary for ensuring adherence to regulatory requirements for the Plant.
• Project management skills or certification (e.g., PMP). Important for overseeing capital improvement projects, managing budgets, and ensuring successful project implementation.
• Proficiency with PI and CEMS/DAS programs. Relevant for managing and analyzing plant performance data and ensuring regulatory compliance.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite products. Necessary for preparing reports, analyses, and presentations.
• Advanced Excel skills, including the development of macros and the use of various developer and data link plug-ins. Important for data analysis and management tasks.
• Demonstrate excellent writing and analytical skills, presenting facts, conclusions, and recommendations effectively in both formal and informal written communications.
• Excellent organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills. Required for effectively managing documentation, communicating complex information, and collaborating with various stakeholders.
• 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 the leading provider of operations, maintenance, and engineering services for energy facilities. We have established ourselves as a reliable partner for clients in North America and internationally, offering services across power generation, oil and gas, and renewable energy sectors. Additionally, our growing family of companies enables us to address the entire life cycle of power generation and other industrial plants.

NAES is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace. It is the practice of NAES to seek employees of the highest quality and to select individuals on the basis of merit and competence, without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, disability, military status or affiliation protected under USERRA, or any other basis of discrimination prohibited by applicable local, state and federal law.