Staff Engineer (Coal - Biomass)

Seneca Resources Company, LLC; Richmond (VA); On-site; USD 81,000 - 99,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Health, dental, and vision coverage

401(k) retirement plan

Job summary

A leading staffing and consulting firm is seeking a senior-level Staff Engineer specializing in coal and biomass power generation in Richmond, VA. The role involves providing technical leadership for boiler operations and air pollution control systems. Candidates should have over 8 years of relevant engineering experience, strong expertise in combustion and air pollution practices, and the ability to guide cross-functional teams. This position is full-time on-site, with a competitive salary and benefits package.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of relevant engineering experience in power generation or heavy industrial settings.
• Experience with coal/biomass combustion and air pollution control systems.
• Ability to influence decisions as a technical lead.

Responsibilities

• Provide engineering leadership for coal/biomass systems.
• Support and optimize air pollution control equipment.
• Advise on fuel quality impacts to combustion performance.
• Engage with vendors to troubleshoot and improve technologies.

Skills

Coal and/or biomass combustion expertise

Air pollution control systems experience

Strong analytical skills

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering

Job description

Clearance Requirements: None

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

Pay Rate: $90,000/yr

Position Title

Staff Engineer (Coal / Biomass)

Location: Richmond, VA

Job Summary

We’re seeking a senior-level Staff Engineer to serve as a technical subject matter expert supporting coal and biomass power generation. In this role, you’ll provide high-impact engineering leadership across boiler operations, air pollution control (APC) systems, fuel handling, and ash/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.

Responsibilities

• Provide engineering leadership and technical consultation for coal/biomass combustion and associated plant systems.
• Support and optimize APC equipment including Wet FGD, dry scrubbers, mercury control, and potential Dry Sorbent Injection (DSI) solutions.
• Advise teams on fuel quality impacts to combustion performance, boiler cleanliness/sootblowing, emissions control, and downstream systems (NOx, SO?/SO?, HCl/acid gases, PM, Hg).
• Partner with fuel procurement to support fuel contract renewals, including reviewing specifications and establishing/negotiating reject limits for key constituents.
• Provide technical guidance for fuel delivery/handling, ash removal, and waste handling/disposal processes.
• Engage vendors, OEMs, and industry suppliers to evaluate technologies, troubleshoot issues, and implement improvements.
• Contribute to cost/dispatch-related technical inputs (e.g., understanding dispatch 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/transfer available for this role.
• Veterans and transitioning service members are encouraged to apply.

Required Skills/Education

Must-have qualifications:

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

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

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering from an ABET-accredited program, OR
• Engineering degree equivalent recognized under the Washington Accord, OR
• Undergraduate degree (Engineering/Physics/Chemistry/Math/Engineering Technology) plus a relevant post‑graduate Engineering degree where the corresponding undergrad discipline is ABET-accredited, OR
• Active or previously held U.S. Professional Engineer (PE) license.

SEO Keywords

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 400 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.