Plant Engineer

POSITION DESCRIPTION

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 Americas premier independent power generator we will deliver renewable and reliable power to our customers opportunities to our employees sustainable returns to the families who invest in us and a better world to the next generation. Corporate Offices in Denver New York and Charlotte we are where renewable meets reliable. See for more information.

The Mankato Energy Center (MEC) is a 720-megawatt natural gas-fired combined-cycle facility located within the city limits of Mankato in Minnesota. The project operates in the MISO power market and sells energy under contract to Northern States Power (NSP) a subsidiary of Xcel Energy. MEC I became commercially operational in July 2006 in a 1x1 configuration and is contracted through July 2028. In 2019 MEC II began commercial operations and is contracted with NSP through 2039. MEC I has a Siemens SGT6-5000F(3) combustion turbine rated at approximately 225 MW (at ISO Conditions) with a Nooter Eriksen HRSG. MEC II has a Siemens SGT6-5000F(4) combustion turbine rated at approximately 232 MW (at ISO Conditions) with a Nooter Eriksen HRSG. Both units deliver steam to a single Toshiba TCDF-40L steam turbine rated at 330MW.

THE OPPORTUNITY

This position is responsible for capital project management plant engineering operations & maintenance support and compliance support. This involves monitoring plant availability thermal efficiency and the cost of production. The Plant Engineer also provides technical support for plant and process improvements and other engineering functions as assigned. The Plant Engineer is an integral member of and works closely with the Management Team.

THE RESPONSIBILITIES

• Assist the Management Team in providing oversight and direction to all mission critical programs and processes such as maintaining NERC and EH&S program compliance outage management project management asset integrity and financial management.
• Provide visible safety leadership and actively contribute to the creation implementation and continuous improvement of a strong sustainable safety culture. Drive real time safety accountability by engaging the team through safety meeting participation job briefs audits training accident investigation/event assessment and job site observations.
• Follows all safety/environmental policies procedures rules and participates in training. Promotes the companys values Accountability Adaptability Collaboration & Excellence.
• Maintain specific areas of compliance including but are not limited to; environmental health safety NERC security fire protection water chemistry contractor compliance grounds maintenance and inventory/procurement.
• Manage capital improvement projects to ensure budgetary guidelines and contractual guarantees are met. This includes preparation of Request for Quotes (RFQs) bid evaluation project management and project implementation.
• Coordinate external contacts with engineering firms to discuss field changes and with manufacturer sales representatives service personnel and vendors to discuss new or modifications to existing equipment resolve problems and exchange information.
• Works in concert with the Onward Corporate Engineering Teams to support outages technical planning work scopes efficiency improvements and troubleshooting.
• Develop communicate and perform work practices and procedures to manage document control and keep site drawings and documentation up to date.
• Analyze equipment failures determine root causes recommend recovery plans and impose cost-effective solutions to prevent recurrence.
• Assist in the investigation of plant problems incidents accidents and unusual events and provide analyses recommendations reports and appropriate follow-up plans.
• Develop and administer contracts and work scope for external contractors to ensure maximum efficiency in the use of plant and contractor personnel.
• Maintains frequent internal contact with various plant personnel to resolve problems provide technical support and exchange information.
• Support the continuous improvement program including but not limited to the CMMS and procedural writing and reviews.
• Support the Management Team and others in tracking forced outages loss of generation and conducting root cause analysis on the cause of failure.
• Support the Management Team in preparing planned outage work scopes and schedules.
• Provide plant support to the Management Team relating to plant performance data telemetry plant improvements etc.
• Interfaces along with others on the Management Team with Siemens and Toshiba on equipment performance and LTSA activities.
• Provides technical input for operation and maintenance training programs.
• Supports environmental testing data collection and reporting.
• Work under limited supervision or as part of a team
• Independently prioritizes and executes responsibilities with input from the management team
• Provide management direction in the absence of others on the Management Team.

• May be required to support job responsibilities as needed outside of scheduled work hours.
• Occasional travel may be required.
• Other duties as assigned.
  

THE PROFILE TO SUCCEED

• Demonstrate universally recognized behaviors of a leader including respect responsibility compassion integrity self-awareness courage and patience.
• A Bachelor of Science Degree in an engineering discipline is lieu of an engineering degree candidates must have at least 5 years of operations and/or maintenance experience in power generation to be considered.
• A thorough demonstrated understanding of power plant operations and maintenance activities.
• Familiarity with Operations and Maintenance Safety and Compliance programs governed by federal state and local agencies (OSHA EPA and NERC) applicable to the power generation industry.
• Excellent writing and analytical skills and an ability to present facts conclusions and recommendations in written communications both in formal and informal formats.
• Familiarity with typical plant data historian trending and performance monitoring tools.
• Demonstrated experience and knowledge with piping and instrument schematics and process controls.
• Moderate working knowledge of Maximo is desired.
• Maintain the highest standards of conduct and integrity in all dealings with or on behalf of Onward Energy at all levels inside and outside the organization.
• CEMS/DAHS experience is desired.
• Excellent writing and presentation skills verbal skills that are persuasive and the ability to promote business initiatives.
• Ability to plan organize schedule and direct varied programs and tasks involved within the operations and maintenance functions.
• Ability to anticipate and accept changes in the organization and adapt to meet new requirements.
• Excellent organizational skills with attention to detail accuracy and timeliness.
• Thoroughly familiar with Word Excel PowerPoint and various other programs.
• Ability to follow both verbal and written instructions.
• Ability to exercise good judgment and make sound decisions.
• Ability to prioritize handle multiple tasks and projects concurrently.
• Valid U.S. Drivers license with acceptable MVR history.

THE PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Must be able to accomplish physical requirements with or without reasonable accommodation.

• Employee will be required to adhere to large amounts of standing walking bending squatting and lifting. May be required to lift carry and move up to 50 lbs. Will use arms and hands to signal grab hold turn push and pull objects materials controls and tools. Will occasionally work at heights climb ladders stairways and work off platforms. Will use vision abilities to focus see short and long distances colors depth perception and peripheral vision. Will be required to wear personal protective equipment (PPE) including but not limited to hard hat safety glasses/goggles earplugs/muffs masks/respirators safety vests gloves and steel-toe boots.
• Able to hear (at some dB limit of loss) to hear plant alarms equipment condition and to receive oral instructions.
• Able to see to determine plant operating conditions and to avoid safety hazards.
• Work extended hours and varied shifts with the possibility of weekend and holiday work as required by schedules workload and plant conditions. On-call status will be required.

THE TEAM

Onward Energy team is comprised of industry professionals who embrace our values of accountability adaptability collaboration and excellence. At Onward Energy we seek to find solutions rather than assign blame.

THE WORK ENVIRONMENT

Performing this job without full/focused attention may cause serious injury or even fatality. Work is generally performed inside the power plant but may work in all weather conditions ranging from warm/hot - cool/cold. Occasional rain. Noise levels will be moderate to high. Job site will contain light to heavy equipment vehicles small to large equipment materials communication equipment and tools. People standing walking sitting signaling and talking. Bells whistles and alarms. Some travel to and work at other sites required.

THE TOTAL REWARDS

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

If you require an accommodation for any part of the employment process due to a disability to .

EEO STATEMENT:

Onward Energy is an Affirmative Action Employer Females/Minority/Veterans/Disabled/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity.

Please 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.