Senior Mechanical Engineer

Onward Energy; Denver (NC); Hybrid; USD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Onward Energy seeks a Senior Mechanical Engineer to lead major maintenance and facility enhancement projects across a diverse fleet. You will oversee predictive maintenance, inspections, and testing, and collaborate with stakeholders to justify cost‑benefit analyses.

The role emphasizes root cause analysis, outage management, and coordination with OEMs and suppliers to improve reliability and efficiency. Strong communication and cross‑functional teamwork are essential for success.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in an engineering discipline from an accredited college or university, or equivalent experience.
• 8 years of experience preferred in power plant maintenance engineering, controls engineering, design engineering, or services engineering for thermal power plants.
• Experience with fluid system design and specification, vibration dynamics, material failure analysis, thermodynamics, or logic programming preferred.
• Experience with aeroderivative and frame combustion turbines, steam turbines, distributed control systems, and heat recovery steam generators is desired.
• Experience with equipment overhauls and outage management is desired.
• Experience with OSISoft PI is preferred.
• Knowledge of EHS related regulations and comprehensive safety programs is preferred.
• Keen multi‑tasking capabilities, flexibility, and organizational skills; attention to detail.
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong, creative problem solving and analytical skills.
• Ability to work well both independently and as part of a cross‑functional team.

Responsibilities

• Provide engineering oversight of major maintenance and process enhancement projects, predictive maintenance monitoring, outage management, equipment inspections, and specialized testing.
• Conceptualize design and provide engineering to help justify cost/benefit analysis for facility enhancement projects.
• Support and work with all stakeholders to develop actionable intel to resolve operational issues, design enhancements, and maintenance projects.
• Develop condition‑based maintenance initiatives that maximize reliability and availability of the fleet.
• Provide engineering support for root cause analysis (RCA) of forced outage or equipment failure events.
• Project manage consultants providing services to the facilities and ensure technical obligations and performance requirements meet corporate objectives.
• Grow relationships with facility teams, OEMs, key equipment suppliers, and corporate management.
• Attend conferences to maintain comprehensive knowledge of industry and equipment developments.

Skills

Power plant maintenance

Vibration dynamics

Thermodynamics

Logic programming

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor of Science in Engineering

Tools

OSISoft PI

Distributed control systems

Job description

Position Title

Senior Mechanical Engineer

Reports To

Director – Mechanical Engineering

Direct Reports

No functional unit

FLSA Status

Exempt

Position Type

Full-Time

Office Location

Denver / Remote

Plant Locations

California, South Carolina, Minnesota, Arizona, New Mexico

The Company

Onward Energy is an independent power platform that owns and operates over 7 GW of utility‑scale wind, solar and natural gas generation projects across the U.S. Our vision is to reliably power a sustainable future. Our mission is that as North America’s premier independent power generator, we will deliver renewable and reliable power to our customers, opportunities to our associates, sustainable returns to the families who invest in us, and a better world to the next generation.

The Challenge

Onward Energy gas fleet maintains or improves safety, performance, reliability, and cost effectiveness through leadership and support of major maintenance and facility enhancement projects. This position requires proficiency in problem‑solving, communication, observation, and technical acuity.

The Responsibilities

• Provide engineering oversight of major maintenance and process enhancement projects, predictive maintenance monitoring, outage management, equipment inspections, and specialized testing.
• Conceptualize design and provide engineering to help justify cost/benefit analysis for facility enhancement projects.
• Support and work with all stakeholders to develop actionable intel to resolve operational issues, design enhancements, and maintenance projects.
• Develop condition‑based maintenance initiatives that maximize reliability and availability of the fleet.
• Provide engineering support for root cause analysis (RCA) of forced outage or equipment failure events.
• Project manage consultants providing services to the facilities and ensure technical obligations and performance requirements meet corporate objectives.
• Grow relationships with facility teams, OEMs, key equipment suppliers, and corporate management.
• Participate in fleet maintenance programs, fleet operating manuals, predictive maintenance programs and procedure improvement initiatives.
• Support performance monitoring, data collection, and data analysis of power plant systems and equipment.
• Develop detailed request for proposals for major maintenance and process enhancement projects, evaluate proposals, and manage suppliers.
• Assist management and plant managers on budgets for responsible projects.
• Attend conferences to maintain comprehensive knowledge of industry and equipment developments.
• Prioritize and execute responsibilities under limited supervision.
• Participate and promote a strong safety culture.
• Other duties as assigned.

The Profile to Succeed

Bachelor’s of Science degree in an Engineering discipline from an accredited college or university, or equivalent applicable experience.

• 8 years of experience preferred in power plant maintenance engineering, controls engineering, design engineering, or services engineering for thermal power plants.
• Experience with fluid system design and specification, vibration dynamics, material failure analysis, thermodynamics, or logic programming preferred.
• Experience with aeroderivative and frame combustion turbines, steam turbines, distributed control systems, and heat recovery steam generators is desired.
• Experience with equipment overhauls and outage management is desired.
• Experience with OSISoft PI is preferred.
• Knowledge of EHS related regulations and comprehensive safety programs is preferred.
• Keen multi‑tasking capabilities, flexibility, and organizational skills; attention to detail.
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong, creative problem solving and analytical skills.
• Ability to work well both independently and as part of a cross‑functional team.

The Physical Requirements

• Ability to stand, walk, talk, hear, and have clear vision.
• Ability to sit, climb or balance, stoop, kneel, and/or crouch.
• Ability to perform inspections in permitted confined spaces from elevated platforms with grating accessed by ladders and stairs.
• Ability to comply with all site specific personal protective equipment including safety glasses, hard hats, hearing protection, and FR clothing.
• Ability to lift and/or move up to 20 pounds.
• Ability to travel up to 30% and be frequently outside the local area and overnight.

The Team

The Onward Energy team is comprised of industry professionals who embrace collaboration, dedication, and challenging work while also being down to earth.

The Work Environment

The position functions in a smoke and vape free professional office environment and at industrial facilities. The role routinely utilizes standard office equipment such as laptop computer, phone, and scanner/photocopier.

The Total Rewards

Onward Energy total rewards philosophy is motivated by a key tenet of People First and offers associates a comprehensive total rewards package which includes market competitive compensation, health, life insurance and retirement savings benefits.

EEO Statement

Onward Energy is an affirmative action employer, females/minority/veterans/disabled/sexual orientation/gender identity.

We accommodate disability through [e-mail].

Note: This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.