Principal/Senior Plant Maintenance Engineer

Portland General Electric Company•Clatskanie, OR

About The Position

The Senior / Principal Plant Maintenance Engineer provides engineering solutions to complex operations and maintenance challenges, supporting the safety, reliability, efficiency, and regulatory compliance of the company’s generating facilities. The role develops and implements engineering improvements for new and existing generation facilities, including equipment upgrades, retrofits, and maintenance initiatives. Working across applicable engineering disciplines, the engineer evaluates plant systems, develops cost-effective technical solutions, leads or coordinates engineering projects, and ensures compliance with engineering standards, industry codes, and regulatory requirements. The position also provides technical guidance, supports knowledge sharing, and promotes best practices to improve plant performance and reliability. The level of responsibility, technical expertise, and project leadership aligns with the selected candidate’s qualifications and experience. The role may be filled at the Senior Plant Maintenance Engineer level (Grade 7) or Principal Plant Maintenance Engineer level (Grade 8). Work takes place in office, plant, and field environments, with travel within and outside the service territory potentially required, including overnight travel. The schedule is Monday through Thursday, four 10-hour days, with occasional weekend or after-hours work during shutdowns. Working extended hours or variable schedules and reporting during severe weather may be required to support plant operations and maintenance needs. Physical requirements may include regular computer use; lifting, carrying, pushing, or pulling materials or equipment weighing up to and potentially exceeding 50 pounds; working at elevated locations, in confined spaces, and on uneven or rough terrain; walking extended distances; navigating stairs and ladders; and maintaining balance on unstable surfaces where applicable. Employees in all positions may assist with storms or other company emergencies. Compensation, including a performance-based incentive bonus, is commensurate with experience, skills, qualifications, education, training, and internal equity. PGE describes its total rewards package as supporting employee contributions, well-being, and professional development.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in an applicable engineering discipline.
Senior Plant Maintenance Engineer (Grade 7): typically five or more years of engineering experience, or four or more years of related experience with a Professional Engineer (PE) license.
Principal Plant Maintenance Engineer (Grade 8): typically eight or more years of engineering experience.
Demonstrated knowledge appropriate to the position level of engineering and economic principles, concepts, and practices.
Knowledge of engineering processes, procedures, and quality assurance and quality control requirements.
Knowledge of plant mechanical, electrical, and control systems.
Experience with engineering analysis, technical reviews, and evaluation of engineering deliverables.
Knowledge of applicable industry standards, regulatory requirements, and emerging technologies.
Knowledge of construction feasibility, project controls, cost estimating, procurement, and contract administration.
Technical problem-solving, decision-making, organization, and prioritization skills.
Written and verbal communication skills, including technical presentations and cross-functional collaboration.
Ability to coordinate engineering activities and develop cost-effective solutions for plant maintenance and reliability challenges.
Ability to apply analytical and scientific reasoning to complex technical problems; evaluate technical information and risks; and develop sound engineering recommendations.
Accuracy and attention to detail in engineering deliverables; ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines and time-sensitive project requirements.
Ability to make informed decisions, adapt to changing operational and project needs, accept constructive feedback, demonstrate accountability, and apply lessons learned.
Ability to process and apply new information consistently and provide technical guidance while collaborating with stakeholders and supporting colleagues’ development.
Ability to meet established work schedules, attendance expectations, and time-sensitive project requirements.
Ability to work in office, plant, and field environments and meet the described physical requirements, including lifting or moving materials or equipment up to and potentially exceeding 50 pounds, working at heights or in confined spaces, and navigating rough terrain, stairs, and ladders.
Ability to work extended hours or variable schedules and report during severe weather when required.
Travel within and outside the service territory may be required, including overnight travel.

Nice To Haves

Graduation from an ABET-accredited engineering program or a program accredited by an equivalent agency is preferred.
Professional Engineer (PE) license is strongly preferred and may be required depending on the role.
Familiarity with ASME B31.1 and applicable ASME Sections 1, 8, and 9.
Familiarity with the National Board Inspection Code (NBIC).
Familiarity with gas turbines, steam turbines, high-energy piping, and heat recovery steam generators (HRSGs).
Familiarity with vibration analysis and root cause analysis.
Familiarity with nondestructive examination (NDE) techniques used in turbine and high-energy piping inspections.
Familiarity with lubrication best practices.
Familiarity with ASME PCC-2 and API 579-1.
Familiarity with balance-of-plant equipment, including gearboxes, pumps, fans, valves, and tanks.
Familiarity with metallurgy, corrosion, and plant chemistry.

Responsibilities

Maintain current knowledge of engineering practices, industry standards, applicable codes, and regulatory requirements.
Support and lead plant improvements using maintenance engineering principles and knowledge of plant systems, processes, and control systems.
Investigate and define plant problems, evaluate equipment and system performance, and develop engineering improvements.
Provide technical guidance and support to engineers, contractors, operations personnel, and project teams.
Recommend cost-effective maintenance engineering solutions to improve plant safety, reliability, efficiency, and regulatory compliance.
Establish, interpret, and promote engineering processes and standards, providing guidance to colleagues as appropriate.
Prepare complex engineering deliverables for large or multiple projects and coordinate activities across engineering disciplines.
Develop, evaluate, and review engineering solutions for compliance with technical requirements, applicable codes, regulatory standards, and sound engineering practices.
Maintain and review plant design basis documents.
Perform quality assurance reviews of engineering work and identify opportunities to improve technical quality and consistency.
Develop engineering plans, technical recommendations, and supporting documentation for plant maintenance and improvement projects.
Prepare and support capital budgets, cost estimates, and job estimates as appropriate to project scope.
Plan, develop, and coordinate engineering projects involving plant design, construction, operations, maintenance, and testing.
Coordinate with internal teams and external stakeholders, including engineering disciplines, contractors, regulatory agencies, and technical organizations.
Represent the engineering team in project meetings, technical reviews, and stakeholder discussions.
Manage project activities, address technical challenges, and coordinate resources to support successful project execution.
Lead complex projects or provide technical leadership on projects with significant design, construction, operational, maintenance, or testing requirements.
Serve as a technical resource and provide consultation and guidance within areas of expertise.
Mentor engineers and support the development of technical knowledge and engineering capabilities.
Develop and deliver training for engineers and plant crews on operations, maintenance practices, and technical requirements.
Communicate and coordinate updates on critical plant safety and reliability topics to operations personnel.
Participate in industry events, professional organizations, and technical committees to benchmark practices and identify opportunities for improvement.
Contribute to enterprise knowledge management and the development of engineering best practices.
Review engineering work, identify training needs, and support effective resource planning and allocation.
Assist with storms or other company emergencies as part of the position.