Staff Engineer (Coal - Biomass)

Seneca Resources Company, LLC; Richmond (VA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Seneca Resources is seeking a senior Staff Engineer (Coal / Biomass) in Richmond, VA to provide technical leadership across boiler operations and APC systems. You will influence cross-functional teams, optimize fuel handling, and guide performance improvements in a direct-hire, on-site setting.

The role emphasizes hands-on engineering judgment, field knowledge, and collaboration with procurement to align fuel specs and contract terms.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of relevant engineering experience in power generation or heavy industrial environments.
• Experience with coal and/or biomass combustion and air pollution control systems (e.g., FGD, scrubbers, mercury control, DSI).
• Ability to act as a senior technical lead/SME, advising and guiding cross-functional teams.

Responsibilities

• Provide engineering leadership and technical consultation for coal/biomass combustion and plant systems.
• Support APC equipment including Wet FGD, dry scrubbers, mercury control, and Dry Sorbent Injection (DSI).
• Advise on fuel quality impacts to combustion performance, boiler cleanliness, emissions control, and downstream systems (NOx, SOx, HCl, PM, Hg).
• Partner with fuel procurement to review specs and negotiate reject limits for key constituents.
• Provide guidance for fuel delivery/handling, ash removal, and waste handling/disposal processes.
• Engage vendors and suppliers to evaluate technologies and implement improvements.
• Contribute to dispatch cost methodology and support regulatory/strategic planning commitments.

Education

ABET-accredited engineering program

Engineering degree equivalent (Washington Accord)

U.S. Professional Engineer (PE) license

Job description

Clearance Requirements:None

Position Status:Full Time (Direct Hire) — On-site

Pay Rate: $90,000/yr

Position Description:

Position Title:Staff Engineer (Coal / Biomass)

Location:Richmond, VA

Clearance Requirements:None

Position Status:Full Time (Direct Hire) — On-site

Pay Rate: $90,000/yr

We’re seeking a senior-levelStaff Engineerto serve as a technical subject matter expert supportingcoal and biomass power generation. In this role, you’ll provide high-impact engineering leadership acrossboiler operations,air pollution control (APC) systems,fuel handling, andash/waste handling—helping operating and maintenance teams solve complex performance, reliability, and compliance challenges.

This position is ideal for an experienced engineer who enjoys being the go-to technical advisor—driving decisions through strong analysis, practical field knowledge, and cross-functional collaboration.

What you’ll do (Responsibilities):

• Provide engineering leadership and technical consultation forcoal/biomass combustionand associated plant systems.
• Support and optimizeAPC equipmentincludingWet FGD,dry scrubbers,mercury control, and potentialDry Sorbent Injection (DSI)solutions.
• Advise teams on fuel quality impacts tocombustion performance,boiler cleanliness/sootblowing, emissions control, and downstream systems (NOx,SO?/SO?,HCl/acid gases,PM,Hg).
• Partner with fuel procurement to supportfuel contract renewals, including reviewing specifications and establishing/negotiatingreject limitsfor key constituents.
• Provide technical guidance forfuel delivery/handling,ash removal, andwaste handling/disposalprocesses.
• Engage vendors, OEMs, and industry suppliers to evaluate technologies, troubleshoot issues, and implement improvements.
• Contribute to cost/dispatch-related technical inputs (e.g., understandingdispatch cost methodology) and support internal regulatory/strategic planning commitments as needed.

Work environment / travel:

• Primarily office-based with periodic plant/field exposure (up to ~25%) in industrial power generation environments.
• Up to ~25% travel to support multiple facilities/projects.

Additional considerations:

• No visa sponsorship/transferavailable for this role.
• Veterans and transitioning service members are encouraged to apply.

Required Skills/Education:

Must-have qualifications:

• 8+ yearsof relevant engineering experience in power generation or closely related heavy industrial environments.
• Demonstrated experience withcoal and/or biomass combustionANDair pollution controlsystems (e.g.,FGD, scrubbers, mercury control,DSI).
• Ability to operate as a seniortechnical lead/SME—advising, influencing decisions, and guiding cross-functional teams.

Education / credential requirement (one of the following is required):

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineeringfrom anABET-accreditedprogram,OR
• Engineering degree equivalent recognized under theWashington Accord,OR
• Undergraduate degree (Engineering/Physics/Chemistry/Math/Engineering Technology)plusa relevantpost-graduate Engineering degreewhere the corresponding undergrad discipline is ABET-accredited,OR
• Active or previously heldU.S. Professional Engineer (PE)license.

SEO keywords (built into role):Staff Engineer, Power Generation, Coal, Biomass, Boiler, Combustion, Air Pollution Control (APC), Wet FGD, Dry Scrubber, Mercury Control, Dry Sorbent Injection (DSI), Emissions, SO?, NOx, PM, HCl, Sootblowing, Fuel Handling, Ash Handling, Operations Support, Reliability Engineering.

About Seneca Resources

At Seneca Resources, we are more than just a staffing and consulting firm, we are a trusted career partner. With offices across the U.S. and clients ranging from Fortune 500 companies to government organizations, we provide opportunities that help professionals grow their careers while making an impact.

When you work with Seneca, you’re choosing a company that invests in your success, celebrates your achievements, and connects you to meaningful work with leading organizations nationwide. We take the time to understand your goals and match you with roles that align with your skills and career path. Our consultants and contractors enjoy competitive pay, comprehensive health, dental, and vision coverage, 401(k) retirement plans, and the support of a dedicated team who will advocate for you every step of the way.

Seneca Resources is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace where all qualified individuals are encouraged to apply.