Engineer I

Otter Tail Corporation Careers•Fergus Falls, MN

1d•Onsite

About The Position

Engineer I – Plant Engineering (Combustion Turbine & Hydro Operations) Location Fergus Falls, MN Grade 11 Are you ready to launch your engineering career in a dynamic, growing, and hands-on environment where your work directly powers the communities we live in? We’re looking for a motivated Engineer I to join our Plant Engineering team supporting combustion turbine, hydroelectric, and renewable generation facilities. This is an exciting opportunity to develop your skills across a broad range of engineering disciplines while working alongside experienced professionals in a collaborative, safety-focused culture. If you enjoy solving real-world problems, optimizing performance, and seeing the direct impact of your work, this role is for you. In this role, you will support our power generation sites in a variety of ways including performance analytics, maintenance and project planning & execution, and regulatory compliance support. You’ll gain valuable experience in both day-to-day plant operations and long-term asset management while helping ensure safe, reliable, and efficient energy production.

Requirements

Bachelor of science degree in Engineering or science ( or equivalent experience )
Foundational knowledge of mechanical, electrical, and/or civil/structural systems
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
Effective written and verbal communication abilities
Solid time management and organizational skills
Ability to manage multiple tasks and contribute to project teams
Collaborative mindset with strong interpersonal skills
Initiative to learn, grow, and take on increasing responsibility
Work and communicate effectively with operations teams and contractors
Ability to lift up to 50 pounds and work in physically demanding environments
Comfortable working in conditions including heat, cold, noise, dust, and confined spaces
Ability to stand, sit, and move throughout the plant for extended periods
Valid driver’s license required

Responsibilities

Monitor, analyze, and improve plant performance metrics such as availability, efficiency, and maximum output
Support data-driven decision-making to enhance operational reliability
Perform cost/benefit analyses and assist in developing capital and O&M budgets
Help prepare justification documentation for capital improvement projects
Support capital project management activities including scheduling, contractor coordination, and construction oversight
Maintain detailed equipment history records and support lifecycle planning
Assist in predicting remaining useful life of equipment and planning timely replacements
Support budgeting efforts for mechanical maintenance and capital improvements
Ensure plant equipment and infrastructure are properly maintained
Assist in coordinating maintenance services and supervising contractor work
Support management of long-term service agreements and warranty claims
Promote and support company safety programs and ensure compliance with safety policies
Assist in developing Job Safety Analyses (JSAs), maintenance procedures, and operational procedures
Support compliance initiatives, including NERC requirements
Help plan and schedule outages and major equipment repairs
Provide support across plant operations as needed
Work closely with operations and engineering teams to solve problems and improve processes