Mechanical Maintenance Technician
About The Position
The Mechanical Maintenance Technician supports safe, reliable, and efficient operations at La Paloma Power Facility by performing preventive, predictive, and corrective maintenance on turbines, rotating equipment, and balance-of-plant mechanical systems. The role troubleshoots equipment issues, performs repairs and overhauls, supports planned and forced outages, and documents maintenance activities through a computerized maintenance management system (CMMS). The technician works closely with Operations, Maintenance, contractors, and OEM representatives to contribute to equipment reliability and plant performance. La Paloma Power Facility is a 1,022 MW natural gas-fired combined-cycle power plant in McKittrick, California, approximately 40 miles west of Bakersfield. The facility features ABB GT24 combustion turbines, ABB HRSGs, and an ABB VAX 16 steam turbine. The position reports to the Maintenance Manager. Work takes place in a power plant environment that may involve confined spaces, narrow areas, hazardous materials, fumes, extreme temperatures, noise, high heat, and changing outdoor weather conditions. The role follows a rotating three-week schedule and may require extended hours, flexible shifts, weekends, holidays, and callout availability. Employees are required to participate in a Fitness for Duty Program, including a post-offer physical examination, drug screening, and post-employment random drug screening.
Requirements
- Understanding of OSHA requirements, Lockout/Tagout (LOTO), confined space procedures, and safe maintenance practices in industrial environments.
- Demonstrated proficiency in mechanical troubleshooting, preventive and corrective maintenance, equipment overhauls, and component replacement.
- Effective communication, organizational, and teamwork skills, with the ability to coordinate maintenance activities and work independently when appropriate.
- Valid, unrestricted U.S. driver’s license that remains in good standing.
- Ability to meet the stated physical requirements, including standing for extended periods, climbing stairs and ladders, working at varying heights, routinely lifting up to 50 pounds, and potentially entering confined spaces or crawling through narrow areas.
Nice To Haves
- Associate degree in Mechanical Engineering Technology, Plant Technology, Industrial Maintenance, or a related technical field; equivalent technical training, industry, or military experience may be considered.
- Experience maintaining mechanical equipment in power generation, manufacturing, or heavy industrial facilities, particularly combined-cycle power plants.
- Working knowledge of combustion turbines, steam turbines, HRSG auxiliary equipment, pumps, valves, compressors, and other rotating machinery.
- Familiarity with ABB turbine equipment.
- Practical experience with precision measuring instruments, vibration monitoring equipment, alignment tools, and machine shop equipment.
- Familiarity with mechanical drawings, piping and instrumentation diagrams (P&IDs), technical manuals, equipment specifications, and maintenance procedures.
- Experience with CMMS, work order documentation, and equipment maintenance records.
Responsibilities
- Perform preventive, predictive, and corrective maintenance on plant mechanical equipment, including turbines, pumps, valves, compressors, fans, gearboxes, and auxiliary systems.
- Troubleshoot and diagnose mechanical failures, equipment abnormalities, and performance issues, and implement repairs to restore reliability.
- Inspect, repair, and overhaul mechanical components associated with ABB GT24 combustion turbines, the ABB VAX 16 steam turbine, HRSGs, and balance-of-plant systems.
- Support planned and forced outages through inspections, disassembly, repairs, reassembly, and coordination of mechanical maintenance activities.
- Use CMMS to document work orders, equipment condition, maintenance history, and completed repairs.
- Operate machine shop tools, precision measuring instruments, and diagnostic equipment for mechanical repairs, alignment, and component replacement.
- Install, modify, and maintain piping, valves, mechanical assemblies, and related components supporting plant equipment and system improvements.
- Monitor equipment condition using vibration, temperature, pressure, and other operating parameters to identify maintenance needs and potential failures.
- Coordinate with Operations, Maintenance, contractors, and OEM representatives to perform maintenance safely and minimize equipment downtime.
- Assist with preventive maintenance procedures, equipment reliability improvements, spare parts management, and maintenance documentation.
- Oversee assigned contractor activities and verify work quality and compliance with plant safety requirements, maintenance procedures, and technical specifications.
- Follow safety procedures, including Lockout/Tagout (LOTO), confined space entry, and applicable environmental requirements.
- Perform additional duties as assigned by the Maintenance Manager or Plant Manager.
- Remain mentally alert, work safely, and follow NAES safety rules, procedures, warnings, and posted signs.
Benefits
- Eligibility for an annual performance bonus.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Education Level
No Education Listed
