Hydro Mechanical Engineer I

Hargrove Engineers & Constructors•Clarkesville, GA

66d

About The Position

This position interfaces with plant operators/hydro journeymen, superintendents, and managers to identify, troubleshoot, and solve hydro plant operations and maintenance issues. Position will be heavily involved in the Hydro Modernization program and will support the turbine scope of work for Modernization projects. Successful candidates will work under the supervision of a full-time Senior Engineer in SCS Hydro Engineering. Primary responsibilities will include but not be limited to: This position has cradle to grave responsibility for small projects, working with hydro plant personnel to: identify problem, develop viable solutions, assess options and select solution, find relevant vendors, and provide technical direction for installation and commissioning. Project management duties for small projects can be the responsibility of this position. For larger projects, this position will work on a multidisciplinary team representing the Hydro Engineering group. In this role, the position would be responsible for writing or reviewing specifications, providing drawings to contract partners, reviewing design drawings from internal or external groups, and providing technical support for assembly, disassembly, and commissioning. This position would also interface with, provide support for, and attend meetings scheduled by TSS for these larger projects. Review alignment data provided by vendors for adherence to industry standards. Review operational data to identify trends. Take field measurements when no relevant drawings are available. Inspect hydroelectric turbines for condition assessment. Perform shop inspections of witness or hold points prior to equipment shipment. Write or modify existing specifications for hydroelectric turbines, oil systems, bearings, shafts, and coolers. Assist Hydro management with Capital and O&M budgeting process by providing budgetary estimates, project durations, and project cash flows. Must be comfortable working in an operating power plant, often during construction or outage related activities, occasionally in confined spaces.

Requirements

Bachelor or Master of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from an accredited university is required.
This position requires 1+ years of relevant industrial experience in mechanical engineering.
At least 1 year of experience working on project teams in various roles (design, technical support, project engineer, project manager, etc.) is preferred.
Ability to read, review, and mark-up physical and schematic drawings is required.
Strong troubleshooting skills are required.
Ability to handle multiple projects of various priorities at once is required.
Ability to build relationships across departments and organizations is required.
Strong written and oral communications skills are required.
Ability to write and review detailed technical specifications is desirable.
Ability to communicate with all levels of organization, from union-represented plant employees to executives is required.
Ability to work in a matrixed organization with limited direct supervision is desirable.

Nice To Haves

Engineer in Training (EIT) registration is strongly preferred.
Professional Engineering registration is preferred upon eligibility.
Experience supporting Technical Shared Services (TSS) managed projects is preferred. (TSS is Southern Company’s internal engineering, construction, and project management organization.)
Basic knowledge of mechanical systems in hydroelectric power plants is desired: pumps, piping systems, heat exchangers, rolling element and fluid film bearings.
Understanding of principles of machine vibration and alignment is desirable.
Knowledge of vertical shaft alignment is desirable.
Knowledge of machine design as it relates to turbine and generator assembly and disassembly is desirable.
Knowledge of hydroelectric turbines is desirable.
Knowledge of formal root cause analysis process is desirable.
Knowledge of laser tracker use and operation is desirable.
Project management skills are desirable.
Strong Excel and VBA skills are desirable.

Responsibilities

Identify problem, develop viable solutions, assess options and select solution, find relevant vendors, and provide technical direction for installation and commissioning.
Project management duties for small projects
Writing or reviewing specifications
Providing drawings to contract partners
Reviewing design drawings from internal or external groups
Providing technical support for assembly, disassembly, and commissioning
Interface with, provide support for, and attend meetings scheduled by TSS for these larger projects
Review alignment data provided by vendors for adherence to industry standards
Review operational data to identify trends
Take field measurements when no relevant drawings are available
Inspect hydroelectric turbines for condition assessment
Perform shop inspections of witness or hold points prior to equipment shipment
Write or modify existing specifications for hydroelectric turbines, oil systems, bearings, shafts, and coolers
Assist Hydro management with Capital and O&M budgeting process by providing budgetary estimates, project durations, and project cash flows