Senior Thermal Performance Engineer - Power

Burns & McDonnell; Kansas City (MO); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Burns & McDonnell seeks a Senior Performance Engineer to join its Power global practice in Kansas City, MO. The role centers on thermal performance modeling for natural gas-fired generation facilities and other power technologies.

You will create, evaluate and refine thermal models using EBSILON, develop heat balances, performance guarantees, and datasheets for project execution. Strong communication and travel ability are essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor/ABET-accredited degree in Mechanical or Chemical Engineering or related field; FE or PE path as described.
• 5 years of related thermal performance modeling experience.
• 7 years of mechanical/process experience in power generation preferred.
• Professional Engineer license preferred.
• Strong written and verbal communication, analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Willingness to travel ~10%.

Responsibilities

• Create, develop and evaluate thermal performance models using EBSILON Professional software.
• Develop heat balance spreadsheets and diagrams for internal and external use.
• Develop plant performance and auxiliary load guarantees; advise on performance margins.
• Develop internal mechanical design summary spreadsheets for equipment and piping.
• Develop equipment performance datasheets for power generation equipment (gas turbines, HRSGs, steam turbines, condensers, cooling towers).
• Support technology assessments for different generation options and configurations.
• Support pinch point analysis and create as-built models for plant upgrades.
• Develop performance testing specifications and overall plant performance correction curves.
• Review and/or author performance test procedures; witness tests conducted by third parties.
• Develop thermal performance modeling guidelines, templates, and training materials.

Skills

Thermal performance modeling

EBSILON

Education

ABET-accredited B.S. in Mechanical/Chemical Engineering

FE exam

Master's in Thermal Sciences (preferred)

Tools

EBSILON

Gate Cycle

Thermoflex

Job description

Description

Burns & McDonnell has an exciting opportunity for a Senior Performance Engineer to join the Power global practice. This position is focused on Thermal Performance modeling for natural gas fired generation facilities as well as other power generation technologies.

Responsibilities include:

• Create, develop and evaluate thermal performance models utilizing EBSILON® Professional thermodynamic cycle software (STEAG GmbH).

• Develop thermal performance heat balance spreadsheets and diagrams for internal and external use.

• Develop plant performance guarantees and auxiliary load guarantees. Provide guidance to project management on performance margins and contingency. This would include developing evaluation factors used for performance guarantees liquidated damages.

• Develop internal mechanical design summary spreadsheets for project detailed design of equipment and piping.

• Develop equipment performance datasheets for equipment bid and design for specific Power generation equipment (e.g. Gas Turbines, HRSGs, Steam Turbines, Condensers, Cooling Towers, etc).

• Support technology assessment studies for high level performance modeling to evaluate various generation options and configurations, including steam and bottoming cycle for nuclear generation.

• Support and evaluate pinch point analysis for projects with plant upgrades (i.e., create “as-built” thermal performance models of existing assets).

• Develop performance and emissions testing specifications to issue for bid and award for project performance tests.

• Develop overall plant performance correction curves. Review, and/or author, overall plant and equipment performance test procedures. Review performance test results performed by 3rd party testing contractors.

• Witness plant performance tests performed by 3rd party testing contractors.

• Develop thermal performance modeling guidelines and best practices for gas fired generation facilities. This includes developing EBSILON® Professional model templates.

• Develop thermal performance modeling training materials and videos. Train, mentor, and develop mechanical or process engineers in thermal performance modeling for specific usage during project execution.

• Understanding OEM performance and evolving designs in the Power industry for maintaining Thermal Performance models.

• Participate in marketing and client development meetings on plant performance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science in Mechanical/Chemical Engineering or related degree from an ABET accredited program. Or Bachelor of Science in Mechanical or related Engineering Technology from an ABET accredited program and successful completion of Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam. The completion of a master’s degree, with a focus on thermal sciences, in a related field may be substituted for one year of experience.

• 5 years related thermal performance modeling experience.

• 7 years mechanical/process experience in Power generation is preferred.

• Professional Engineering (PE) license is preferred.

• Candidate must have excellent written and verbal communication skills, as well as strong analytical and problem-solving skills.

• This position requires an individual capable of applying intensive and diversified knowledge of principles and practices to a broad area of assignments.

• Thermal performance software experience, preferably in EBSILON; similar programs are acceptable (e.g. Gate Cycle, Thermoflex).

• Proficient computer skills (e.g. Microsoft Office Suite).

• Demonstrates critical thinking skills, ability to work methodically and analytically in a quantitative problem-solving environment. Capable of devising new approaches to problem solving.

• Strong attention to detail, facilitation, team building, collaboration, organization, and problem-solving skills.

• Ability to perform quality reviews for thermal models and deliverables exported from thermal modeling software (e.g. mechanical design summary, equipment performance datasheets).

• Ability to travel (estimated 10%).

This job posting will remain open a minimum of 72 hours and on an ongoing basis until filled.

EEO/Disabled/Veterans

Job

Mechanical Engineering

Primary Location

US-MO-Kansas City

Schedule:

Full-time

Travel:

Yes, 25 % of the Time