Plant Engineer

Job Description

Job Description

POSITION DESCRIPTION

Position Title : Plant Engineer

Reports To : Plant Manager

Direct Reports : No Functional Unit : Operations

FLSA Status : Exempt Position Type : Full-Time

Plant Location : Mankato, MN

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 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 www.onwardenergy.com 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 company’s 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

THE PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

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

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 Recruiting@onwardenergy.com.

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.