Power Plant Engineer

ZipRecruiter; Connecticut; On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company is seeking a Plant Engineer to oversee engineering support functions for plant operations in Connecticut. The role involves project planning, vendor oversight, and ensuring compliance with safety and environmental standards. Ideal candidates will have a Bachelor's degree in engineering and extensive experience in power plant operations, with strong leadership and analytical skills.

Qualifications

• 10 years of relevant power plant experience required.
• Strong understanding of power plant operations and maintenance.
• Minimum 5 years of supervisory experience.

Responsibilities

• Implement and coordinate engineering support for plant operations.
• Develop performance metrics and manage engineering expenditures.
• Collaborate with various departments to achieve goals.

Skills

Leadership

Analytical Skills

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in engineering

Job description

Position Summary: The Plant Engineer implements, coordinates, and performs engineering support functions for plant operations and maintenance. Provides support for safety, environmental compliance, and contract adherence at the plant (steam, wheeling, and raw materials). Offers technical support for daily operations, plant improvements, process enhancements, and analysis of plant breakdowns with corrective actions. Responsibilities include project planning and execution (Capital and Major Maintenance), vendor and contractor oversight, and guidance on plant programs using predictive and preventive maintenance techniques. Acts as the technical contact for insurance issues (fire/boiler, property, machinery). Responsible for overall plant engineering and IT support.

Principal Job Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Department Leadership: Establish goals and objectives for the engineering group, organize department functions with clear responsibilities and performance standards, including engineering, plant performance, operations and maintenance support, safety & environmental compliance, and IT support (including DCS).
2. Performance Monitoring: Develop and evaluate plant-specific performance metrics related to availability improvements and thermal efficiency.
3. Plant Improvements/Capital Process: Gather data, explore alternatives, and perform economic evaluations for equipment and procedural modifications to enhance safety, availability, efficiency, and environmental performance. Investigate plant issues, incidents, and accidents, providing analysis, recommendations, reports, and follow-up plans. Manage the plant’s configuration (change management) process.
4. Issue Tracking System: Implement and maintain a system to track safety, environmental, equipment, and budget-related issues.
5. Equipment Issue Identification: Use tools and analysis techniques to identify developing equipment problems that could cause outages or safety risks. Support preventative and scheduled maintenance activities.
6. Failure Analysis: Evaluate equipment failures, assist with Root Cause Analysis, and help prevent recurrence. Investigate plant incidents and provide reports and follow-up actions.
7. Documentation and Data Management: Maintain and update plant drawings, equipment files, testing records, availability and downtime statistics, thermal performance data, DCS configurations, and water chemistry records.
8. Budget Control: Manage engineering expenditures within budget, contribute to budget planning.
9. Vendor and Contractor Oversight: Support bid preparation, evaluate proposals, and monitor contractor performance for contract compliance.
10. IT and Control Systems Support: Ensure safe and effective IT administration, including repairs, modifications, and software updates, without impacting operations.
11. Cross-Departmental Support: Collaborate with Administration, Operations, Maintenance, and Environmental Health and Safety teams to achieve departmental goals and provide technical input.
12. External and Internal Coordination: Coordinate with Corporate Engineering, maintenance and engineering firms, manufacturers, vendors, and plant personnel to discuss modifications, resolve issues, and exchange technical information.
13. Other Duties: Perform additional tasks as assigned, adhere to safety and environmental policies, participate in training, and promote EH&S and NERC compliance, positively influencing morale.

Requirements

Job Qualifications:

1. Bachelor’s degree in engineering or equivalent plus at least 10 years of relevant power plant experience.
2. Thorough understanding of power plant operations, including operations and maintenance, control systems, water chemistry, budgets, bid proposals, and contracts. Knowledge of chemistry, physics, engineering, and plant operations is beneficial.
3. Ability to plan, coordinate, and lead programs affecting plant operation; analyze data; and make professional judgments. Must be able to motivate and manage others effectively.
4. Minimum 5 years’ supervisory experience with technical, administrative, and supervisory personnel. Strong leadership skills required.
5. Professional Engineering license in Connecticut is preferred but not mandatory.
6. Proficiency in English communication skills (reading, writing, speaking, understanding).