Plant Engineer

Reworld Projects, LLC; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 109,000 - 156,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical and dental coverage

401(k) with company match

Life and AD&D insurance

Educational assistance

Job summary

Reworld is seeking a Plant Engineer to support power generation operations, process engineering, and facility improvements at a state‑of‑the‑art waste‑to‑energy plant. You will monitor performance, support combustion and process control systems, and lead engineering projects with a focus on reliability and environmental compliance.

The role offers on‑site work with opportunities to drive capital and operational improvements, working with Operations, Maintenance, and Corporate Process Engineering

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science in Engineering required; Mechanical Engineering preferred.
• 0‑3 years of experience in power plant operations and maintenance; internship considered.
• Demonstrated hands‑on experience in process engineering and technical problem solving.
• Strong computer proficiency, including Microsoft Office.
• Experience with AutoCAD, SketchUp, and/or SolidWorks is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Audit daily plant performance and identify deviations from parameters.
• Prepare performance reports and lead weekly production meetings.
• Develop and manage the facility's Production Action Items list.
• Collaborate with engineering, operations, and corporate teams.
• Optimize combustion processes and control systems for efficiency and compliance.
• Review and approve changes prior to implementation.
• Oversee engineering projects from concept to implementation.
• Support deployment of engineering initiatives across regional facilities.

Skills

Process engineering

Analytical thinking

Problem solving

Communication skills

Microsoft Office

Education

Bachelor of Science in Engineering

Mechanical Engineering preferred

Tools

AutoCAD

SketchUp

SolidWorks

Job description

Who we are

For more than 40 years, Reworld has been a leader in sustainable waste solutions, providing our customers with innovative solutions that help them achieve carbon-negative outcomes.

Our Vision Reworld is leading the charge to a carbon-negative future through revolutionary sustainable materials management solutions that reduce, reuse, recycle and reimagine waste for the benefit of society and the environment.

Our Business Reworld partners with businesses by offering cutting-edge engineering and innovative solutions, to help customers reduce, reuse, recycle and recover value from waste streams and meet or exceed their sustainability goals.

Our Value Reworld's differentiator comes from our ecosystem of technology, facilities and partnerships, trusted by the world's largest organizations to reimagine waste management for a smarter, more sustainable world.

All that we’re missing is you.

About the role

Reporting to the Area 1 Regional Engineering Manager, the Plant Engineer plays a critical role in supporting power generation operations, process engineering, plant performance optimization, and continuous improvement initiatives at a state-of-the-art waste-to-energy facility. This position monitors plant performance metrics, supports combustion and process control systems, leads engineering projects, and ensures reliable operation of complex industrial equipment. The ideal candidate brings an interest in power plant engineering, utility operations, industrial manufacturing, process optimization, and environmental compliance. At Reworld, engineers can apply their technical expertise in an essential industry that converts waste into renewable energy while helping create more sustainable communities.

Working closely with Operations, Maintenance, Regional Engineering, and Corporate Process Engineering teams, the Plant Engineer will contribute to operational excellence, equipment reliability, emissions performance, capital projects, and long-term facility improvements. This role offers hands‑on exposure to power generation, combustion systems, boilers, process controls, reliability engineering, root cause analysis, and industrial project management while providing a strong foundation for career growth within a nationally recognized environmental services organization.

The Plant Engineer evaluates plant performance data, identifies opportunities for process improvement, supports environmental compliance initiatives, manages engineering modifications, and executes capital and operational improvement projects from concept through implementation. Candidates with backgrounds or interests in mechanical engineering, process engineering, reliability engineering, project engineering, energy production, utility operations, industrial facilities, thermal power generation, environmental engineering, or continuous improvement are encouraged to apply. This position is eligible for a sign‑on bonus.

Key Responsibilities

• Audit daily plant performance metrics and identify deviations from established operating parameters.
• Prepare performance reports and lead weekly production meetings focused on operational improvement and performance optimization.
• Develop and manage the facility's Production Action Items list.
• Collaborate with Regional Engineering, Regional Operations, and Corporate Process Engineering teams.
• Optimize combustion processes and control systems to improve plant efficiency and maintain environmental compliance.
• Review and obtain approval for operational and process changes prior to implementation.
• Partner with Regional and Productivity teams to align plant operations with established performance objectives.
• Interpret Boiler Condition Assessment Reports and implement engineering recommendations.
• Investigate plant issues related to combustion performance, process inefficiencies, and operational reliability.
• Drive facility performance improvements using engineering analysis, historical data, and industry best practices.
• Present technical findings, challenges, and improvement opportunities to facility leadership.
• Coordinate and prioritize internal and third‑party engineering resources.
• Manage and approve facility modifications and engineering improvements.
• Oversee the full lifecycle of engineering projects, including design, budgeting, construction, commissioning, and implementation.
• Support the deployment of successful engineering initiatives across multiple regional facilities.

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science in Engineering required; Mechanical Engineering preferred.
• 0‑3 years of experience in power plant operations and maintenance; relevant internship experience will be considered.
• Demonstrated hands‑on experience in process engineering and technical problem‑solving.
• Strong computer proficiency, including Microsoft Office applications.
• Experience with AutoCAD, SketchUp, and/or SolidWorks is preferred.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong organizational and time management abilities.
• Proven analytical, critical‑thinking, and problem‑solving skills.
• Ability to effectively communicate and present to individuals and larger groups.
• Self‑motivated with the ability to work independently and manage multiple priorities.
• Regular on‑site presence is required.

Physical Requirements

Ability to work in an industrial plant environment.

Ability to climb ladders, navigate elevated walkways and grating, and access confined or restricted spaces as necessary.

Ability to stand, walk, bend, and occasionally lift materials or equipment.

Schedule

Full‑time, on‑site position with standard weekday business hours.

Occasional off‑hours, weekend, or emergency support may be required to support plant operations, outages, troubleshooting, and project activities.

Pay

All Reworld positions require a candidate's ability to perform the duties and responsibilities of the role while upholding Reworld's Values, including (but not limited to) contributing to a safe and inclusive workplace, delivering results through trust, and building breakthrough capabilities.

Please note that Level, Title and/or Salary may be adjusted based on the applicant's experience or skills.

Pay Transparency Reworld is committed to paying its staff equitably, and we strive to provide competitive compensation and benefits packages. The range below reflects Reworld’s reasonable estimate of base pay for this role based on primary posting location. It is expected that most qualified candidates in this location will fall within the posting range. The final salary offered for this role will be determined based on factors including, but not limited to: experience, education, geographic location, skills and competencies, travel requirements and/or union contracts (if applicable). Pay ranges are reviewed from time to time and may be modified in the future.

The pay range for the primary location of this position is: $108,900.00 - $155,600.00 USD per annum

Benefits

• Regular full‑time employees based in the USA have access to comprehensive medical, prescription drugs, dental, and vision coverage, FSA, HSA, short‑ and long‑term disability benefits.
• Our 401(k) plan is industry‑leading, with an up to 7% company match.
• Additional benefits include Company‑paid life and AD&D insurance, EAP, paid parental leave, and educational assistance.
• For more information regarding these offerings, please visit the Reworld Careers Benefits Page.
• Reworld reserves the right to amend, suspend or terminate any benefit plan, in whole or in part, at any time.

DEI Commitment

Reworld is an Equal Opportunity Employer, has developed an Affirmative Action Program (AAP), and will not discriminate against any qualified applicants because of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability (including perceived disability, physical, mental, and/or intellectual disabilities), veteran status, liability for service in the Armed Forces of the United States, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Know Your Rights

If you are an individual with a disability or a disabled veteran, you may request a reasonable accommodation if you are unable or limited in your ability to access job openings or apply for a job on this site because of your disability. You can request reasonable accommodations by going to Reworldwaste.com and clicking on the ‘Contact Us’ button. Under Inquiries, select ‘Careers’ in the Interest field, fill out all required fields including your message. In the message section, please note this is a ‘Job Application Accommodation Request’.

Attention Staffing Agencies & Search Firms

Reworld may sometimes selectively collaborate with staffing agencies and search firms (Agencies). Reworld will only consider candidates from Agencies with whom a signed agreement and a duly authorized work order (for a specific role) has been duly executed. Any unsolicited candidate submissions or candidate submissions from Agencies that do not meet these criteria, will be deemed invalid and ineligible for any fees.

About Reworld

Reworld, formerly known as Covanta, is a leader in sustainable waste solutions and is dedicated to transforming waste into valuable resources through innovative technologies. With a comprehensive portfolio of solutions designed to address the most complex challenges of waste management, Reworld is committed to achieving carbon-negative outcomes and supporting partners on their sustainability journey. Others see waste. We see potential. Led by the promise of what’s possible, we partner with businesses and communities to reimagine what waste can do. Together, we transform refuse into a resource, steadfast in our determination to go beyond net zero, for the good of our people, our communities, and the planet we all depend on. Rooted in communities, with support across North America Our expansive geographical footprint gives us the large‑scale resources to effectively support both our customers and the communities in which we live and work. Working together to find the beginning at every endpoint Ours is a diverse group, with a wide range of skills and expertise. We are passionate about our mission to do more and to do better through innovative value creation. No matter where we come from, we’re here to put our efforts toward building a smarter, more sustainable world. Dedicated to redefining what’s possible with waste When you work with us, you’ll find a hard‑working team of collaborators united by our passion for protecting people, the planet, and the promise of a more sustainable future.

For more information: Visit https://www.reworldwaste.com/