Plant Engineer

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

Job summary

NAES’s Linden Cogeneration Plant seeks a Plant Engineer to lead technical initiatives, analyze performance, and drive reliability and continuous improvement. You will coordinate maintenance planning, outage execution, and capital projects while ensuring regulatory compliance and safety.

Join a team focused on safe operation, high efficiency, and long-term plant improvements, reporting to the Plant Manager and collaborating with engineers, contractors, and regulatory agencies.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or master’s degree in engineering preferred; extensive operations/maintenance experience acceptable.
• TWIC credential or ability to obtain upon hire.
• Extensive knowledge of power plant operations, equipment reliability, troubleshooting, and efficiency.
• Familiarity with NERC and FERC regulatory standards.
• Project management experience including budgeting, scheduling, and execution; PMP preferred.
• Experience with PI and CEMS/DAS for monitoring, data analysis, and regulatory reporting.
• Advanced Excel skills with macros and data-link tools.
• Strong analytical, technical writing, and interpersonal skills.
• Must possess a valid U.S. driver’s license.

Responsibilities

• Monitor plant performance, document outages, perform root cause analyses, implement corrective actions.
• Analyze data to identify trends, diagnose inefficiencies, and improve reliability.
• Oversee water treatment and production programs for regulatory compliance.
• Support outage planning, scheduling, and technical oversight.
• Lead MOC process for plant modifications.
• Manage capital projects, vendor relations, and project documentation.
• Ensure compliance with NAES safety rules and site requirements.
• Back up Maintenance and Operations Managers as needed.
• Maintain engineering documentation and records.

Skills

Power plant operations

Root cause analysis

Project management

Regulatory compliance

Data analysis

Technical writing

Cross-functional collaboration

TWIC credential

Safety awareness

Education

Engineering degree (Bachelor’s or Master’s) preferred

Tools

PI System

CEMS/DAS systems

Microsoft Office

Excel macros

Data analysis tools

Job description

The Linden Cogeneration Plant is a 980 MW natural gas combined-cycle cogeneration facility located within a major refinery in Linden, NJ. In addition to generating electricity, the plant supplies process steam to the refinery. The facility features five GE 7EA gas turbine generators and one GE 7FA gas turbine generator, each exhausting into an HRSG. The HRSGs feed a common steam header supplying three steam turbines and the adjacent refinery.

Opportunity Summary

The Plant Engineer supports the safe, reliable, and efficient operation of the facility by providing technical leadership across plant engineering, reliability, performance, and continuous improvement initiatives. This role analyzes plant and equipment performance, leads troubleshooting and root cause analysis, supports predictive maintenance and outage activities, and manages engineering, capital improvement, and plant upgrade projects. The Plant Engineer also supports regulatory and technical compliance while working closely with Operations, Maintenance, plant leadership, contractors, vendors, and corporate engineering resources to drive long-term plant reliability and operational improvement.

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

Plant Engineering, Operations & Maintenance

• Monitor and document forced outages and generation losses, perform root cause analyses, and develop actions to reduce recurrence.
• Analyze plant performance data to identify trends, diagnose inefficiencies, and improve reliability and output.
• Oversee water treatment and production programs to support operational requirements and regulatory compliance.
• Support outage planning and execution, including scheduling, resource coordination, and technical oversight.
• Manage predictive maintenance programs, including vibration analysis, air-in leakage monitoring, and other diagnostic activities.
• Investigate equipment failures and recommend corrective actions, preventive measures, and long-term reliability improvements.
• Lead the Management of Change (MOC) process for modifications to plant systems, equipment, and procedures.
• Manage operations modeling, data collection, and GADS reporting and validation to support accurate plant performance reporting.
• Maintain engineering documentation, including procedures, drawings, technical manuals, and records of plant modifications.
• Promote safe work practices and compliance with NAES and site-specific safety requirements.
• Maintain required licenses, credentials, and site access requirements, including a valid driver’s license, P66 site access badge, and TWIC card.
• Support compliance with applicable NERC standards, ASME codes, regulatory requirements, and industry best practices.

Project Management & Continuous Improvement

• Manage strategic projects from planning through completion, coordinating with Operations, Maintenance, and plant leadership.
• Plan, budget, and manage capital improvement projects in alignment with plant priorities and financial requirements.
• Prepare and evaluate RFPs and bid packages, support vendor selection, and ensure compliance with contractual and safety requirements.
• Build and maintain effective working relationships with internal stakeholders, engineers, contractors, vendors, and regulatory agencies.
• Serve as backup to the Maintenance Manager and Operations Manager, providing leadership and decision-making support as needed.
• Review plant operations and design practices to identify opportunities for cost savings, efficiency improvements, and improved performance.
• Lead plant upgrade and technology initiatives by evaluating solutions, recommending improvements, and supporting implementation.

Perform additional duties as needed to support plant operations, engineering, projects, and continuous 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. 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 Plant Engineer reports directly to the Plant Manager and works closely with the Maintenance Manager, Operations Manager, EH&S Manager, Administrative Manager, and other personnel as needed to support daily plant operations. The Plant Engineer also maintains positive working relationships with NAES Corporate Engineering Support Services and Owner representatives.

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. 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.

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.

Engineering Qualifications And Technical Competencies

• Bachelor’s or master’s degree in an engineering discipline preferred. In lieu of an engineering degree, candidates should possess extensive operations and/or maintenance experience within the power generation industry.
• Current Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) or ability to obtain upon hire.
• Extensive knowledge and experience supporting power plant operations and maintenance, including plant performance, equipment reliability, troubleshooting, and operational efficiency.
• Familiarity with applicable power industry regulatory and compliance requirements, including NERC and FERC standards.
• Demonstrated project management experience involving capital improvements, budgeting, scheduling, and project execution; PMP or similar certification is preferred.
• Working proficiency with PI and CEMS/DAS systems for plant performance monitoring, data analysis, and regulatory reporting.
• Competence with Microsoft Office applications for preparing reports, analyses, presentations, and technical documentation.
• Advanced Excel skills, including experience developing macros and using developer tools, data-link applications, and other advanced analytical features.
• Strong analytical, technical writing, organizational, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to evaluate information, document findings and recommendations, manage multiple priorities, and collaborate effectively with plant personnel, contractors, vendors, and other 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 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.