About the position
Calpine Corporation is America's largest generator of electricity from natural gas and geothermal resources, operating a fleet of 77 power plants that represent over 27,000 megawatts of generation capacity. The company is committed to environmental stewardship and excellence in power generation, having established itself as a leader in the industry since its founding in 1984. The internship position in Mechanical Engineering offers a unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience in the power generation sector, working closely with a team of mechanical engineers to support both small and large capital projects for Calpine's existing fleet of natural gas combined and simple cycle power plants. As an intern, you will be involved in learning the basics of plant configuration and troubleshooting techniques, which are essential for identifying and resolving issues encountered by the plants. You will work under the direct supervision of experienced Calpine employees, receiving day-to-day instructions from the Director of Mechanical Engineering and their team. This role provides excellent exposure to various facets of the power generation business, including collaboration with outside architectural and engineering firms contracted by Calpine for engineering services related to troubleshooting, maintenance, design, and configuration management of both existing and new power plants. The internship is designed to enhance your understanding of mechanical engineering principles in a practical setting, allowing you to apply your academic knowledge to real-world challenges in the energy sector. You will also have the opportunity to develop your skills in using analytical tools such as Tableau and creating complex Excel models, which are critical for effective problem-solving and decision-making in engineering projects.
Responsibilities
- Learn the basics of plant configuration and troubleshooting techniques used to identify and resolve issues encountered by the plants.
- Perform other duties as assigned while under the direct supervision of a Calpine employee.
- Report to the Director of Mechanical Engineering and/or their direct reports (Mechanical Engineers) and take day-to-day instructions, both written and verbal, from them.
Requirements
- Pursuing a degree in Mechanical Engineering at an accredited college or university.
- Senior standing, preferred.
- GPA of 3.0 or higher.
- Legally eligible to work in the United States now and in the future.
- Willingness to work outdoors, in field locations, in a 'hands on' environment.
- Willingness to adhere to plant safety standards, procedures, and practices.
- Good comprehension of basic engineering practices.
- Demonstrated modeling aptitude creating complex Excel models.
- Ability to apply analytical tools such as Tableau.
- Knowledge of the energy industry, specifically the power or utility sector, is a plus.
- Strong verbal and written communication skills.
- Good problem solving and analytical ability.
- Good organization skills and attention to details are essential.
- Must be flexible and able to work harmoniously with others in a dynamic environment.
- Must be able to self-start and manage multiple simultaneous tasks and priorities.
- Must have reliable transportation to and from work.
Nice-to-haves
- Knowledge of the energy industry, specifically the power or utility sector, is a plus.
