Operating Engineer

DTE Energy•Detroit, MI

22h•Onsite

About The Position

DTE is one of the nation’s largest diversified energy companies, providing electric and gas services to Michigan customers for over a century. They are Michigan’s largest source of renewable energy, committed to creating a cleaner, healthier environment. DTE also serves communities in 19 states with affiliated businesses offering renewable energy, emission control technologies, and energy services. The company emphasizes taking care of employees and customers, fostering growth and prosperity in communities, and promoting an inclusive workplace that values diversity, health, safety, and wellbeing. The hourly rate for this position is $44.90. The Operating Engineer, located in Detroit, MI, operates a 750 hp heat pump system and up to 500 hp gas or oil-fired low-pressure package boilers and their auxiliaries to maintain comfortable temperatures in adjacent buildings. This role involves taking and testing chemical and water samples, taking instrument readings, lubricating equipment, and performing operating maintenance and annual lay-up of boilers, all under indirect and intermittent supervision of a Facility Manager.

Requirements

High School diploma or equivalent
First Class Refrigeration License
At least 5 years’ experience in utility complex operations
Shift work is required, and employees will be required to perform both operation and routine maintenance of the utility complex equipment

Responsibilities

Operates a 750 hp heat pump system to supply both chilled and heated water to air handling units in adjacent buildings
Starts and stops refrigeration compressor up to and including 600 hp, cooling tower fans, central air handling and refrigerating purging unit brine and water circulating pumps. Adjusts dampers and motor speeds, selects compressor combination, and coordinates operating speeds. Switches water and brine flow, to maximize heat pump efficiency and maintain required temperature and lend out waters to accommodate various internal demands and external weather conditions
Operates gas or oil-fired low pressure package boilers up to and Including 600 hp and auxiliaries to maintain proper water temperatures and steam pressures to heat adjacent building. Adjusts valves, starts and stops pumps, performs boiler blowdowns, checks room temperature of adjacent buildings and switches boilers between gas and oil as needed
Operates boilers and heating water systems according to a temperature chart. At times will deviate from chart as unusual weather conditions dictate
Takes water sample and tests for hardness, alkalinity, and acidity. (Test results determine the amount of chemicals to be added to water to make suitable for system use.) Water samples are sent to research periodically for analysis
Prepares boilers for annual inspection by city and Insurance inspectors by: opening combustion chambers and removing soot, scale end other products of combustion. Removes and replaces hand hole and manhole cover. Opens blow down valves and flushes sca1e from tube interiors
Cleans, inspects, repairs and/or tests steam, water and sediment traps, valves, filters, pumps, speed control resistors end contactors, fans, etc.
Operates 44OV Breakers to cut specific boilers or heat pump equipment out of service
Reads and records data from various Indicating and recording instruments
Performs routine lubrication and minor maintenance of equipment such as replacing fuses, tightening pecking glands, cleaning chiller tubes, removing and/or plugging leaking fire sprinkler heads, replacing broken pipe fittings, performing valving, reconnecting broken lead wires, etc.
Provides emergency report in order to restore service or prevent building damage.
Provides protective tagging of electrical (480V) and mechanical equipment per Facilities Management and Services' Red Tagging Procedure
Maintains a clean and orderly work area