Plant Engineer - Boiler Specialist

NRG•Osceola, AR

About The Position

The Plant Engineer provides support for process improvements, performance monitoring, root cause analysis, engineering and construction activities, and plant operations and maintenance to ensure safe and efficient plant operation. The role emphasizes boiler and high-energy piping systems, with responsibilities spanning equipment reliability, performance, budgeting, outage planning, inspections, repairs, and project implementation. The position provides technical direction and support to operations and maintenance teams; develops operating and capital budgets, long-range plans, and overhaul strategies; coordinates outage schedules and inspections; evaluates repair plans using preventive and predictive maintenance methods and non-destructive examination data; and investigates equipment failures. It also develops and maintains procedures and technical documentation, specifies materials and parts, supports project execution and training, and interfaces with external engineering resources. The role requires expertise in boiler construction materials, inspection and repair practices, relevant codes, high-energy piping, and boiler contractor quality processes. It also involves knowledge of balance-of-plant systems, including steam cycles, air and water systems, fire protection, facilities, dust-control technologies, and plant equipment. Work takes place in both office and industrial settings and may involve domestic travel and physically demanding equipment inspections.

Requirements

An engineering or technical degree and at least five years of experience providing technical support for plant processes; extensive related work experience may substitute for the degree.
Thorough understanding of power-plant processes and equipment and the interrelationships between them.
Ability to supervise, train, and direct peers, employees, contractors, and vendors clearly and consistently.
Ability to read and understand technical information, prints, and engineering data, and interpret charts, graphs, and gauge scales.
Ability to troubleshoot and repair equipment and systems.
Ability to exercise sound judgment in managing limited resources.
General to thorough knowledge of root cause analysis and proficiency in technical report writing.
Proficiency with PCs, Windows, and Microsoft Office, particularly spreadsheet, scheduling, equipment-performance, and word-processing applications.
Strong written and verbal communication skills.
Knowledge of boiler construction materials and inspection techniques, including applicable ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code and ASME B31.1 requirements.
Knowledge of applicable boiler and high-energy piping codes and repair methods, including ASME and NBIC, and knowledge of non-destructive examinations.
Knowledge of coal mill and boiler operation, inspection, maintenance, and performance testing.
Knowledge of turbine process steam-cycle concepts, construction, and operation as applied to fossil steam power plants, including basic thermodynamics.
Experience with plant air supply systems, service-water systems, fire-protection systems, and facilities management.
Knowledge of dust-control technologies, including baghouses, dust-transport systems, dust-suppression systems, and passive dust-control technologies.
Ability to wear required personal protective equipment.
Ability to perform inspections that may require climbing ladders and stairs, using step stools, kneeling, bending, and walking on uneven surfaces.
Ability to operate mobile equipment such as zoom booms or scissor lifts when needed for equipment inspections.
Ability to carry training materials and stand for extended periods when conducting training.

Responsibilities

Provide technical and financial direction to operations and maintenance departments to support equipment reliability, unit availability, and cost control.
Provide technical support, testing, and inspection expertise in assigned process areas.
Optimize station equipment operation to meet key performance indicators.
Develop operations and maintenance and capital budgets, and prepare ten-year project plans and budgets.
Develop equipment overhaul strategies to optimize equipment life and time between overhauls.
Develop outage schedules and coordinate and perform inspections of steam-cycle equipment.
Use preventive and predictive maintenance techniques and non-destructive examination data to evaluate boiler and piping repair plans.
Conduct root cause analyses, recommend actions to prevent recurring equipment problems, and assemble equipment failure reports.
Develop, review, and revise station procedures and technical instructions, and document equipment testing and inspections.
Provide engineering, design, and economic justification; specify project parts and materials; and implement projects and process modifications.
Conduct or arrange process-related training as required.
Interface with external engineering resources as needed.
Work effectively as a team leader, member, and/or facilitator.
Develop boiler plans informed by past inspections, OEM recommendations, plant inspections, and failure analyses.
Support inspections and repairs for high-energy piping and flow-accelerated corrosion programs.
Verify that boiler contractors' welding processes and inspection requirements meet applicable standards.
Provide technical oversight of outage contractors to ensure appropriate quality assurance and quality control procedures are followed.
Manage outages, including developing specifications, representing the station during installation, and coordinating startup and testing.
Perform inspections of fans, pumps, ash-handling systems, and soot-blowing equipment.
Perform other duties and assignments as required.