Prin Program Engineer

Consumers Energy•MULTIPLE LOCATIONS, MI

3d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Asset Strategy Organization is responsible for developing both portfolio-wide and individual asset strategies to achieve the company’s Breakthrough Goals in Safety, Compliance, Asset Reliability, and Cost Competitiveness (Customer Value). These strategies apply to all electric supply assets, including combustion turbines, combined cycle plants, hydroelectric facilities, wind farms, solar gardens, and emerging renewable resources such as battery storage. The Asset Availability Engineer plays a critical role in ensuring the reliability and availability of generation assets across the utility’s portfolio. This individual analyzes operational data, assesses system health, and identifies threats to generation in order to proactively mitigate risks. The Principal Program Engineer is responsible for leading the engineering and technical disciplines required to complete projects successfully. This role oversees multiple initiatives, including project planning, establishing criteria, coordinating reviews, and ensuring proper implementation of project elements. The incumbent is accountable for scheduling, planning, forecasting, resourcing, and managing all technical activities to ensure project accuracy and quality from conception to completion. Additionally, this role is responsible for team deliverables and supervises junior engineers and technicians.

Requirements

Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
Proficiency in design and visualization software (e.g., AutoCAD)
Skilled in Microsoft Office with the ability to learn new software quickly
Excellent written and verbal communication skills
Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
Solid understanding of GD&T principles
Familiarity with industry regulations, best practices, and performance standards
In-depth understanding of power generation systems and utility operations
Experience with asset management frameworks and reliability engineering principles
Knowledge of LEAN principles and the CE Way 4 basic plays
Proficiency in data analysis tools (e.g., Excel, Power BI)
Familiarity with SAP
Strong communication and presentation skills, especially for executive audiences
Ability to work cross-functionally and influence without direct authority
Effective project management and organizational capabilities
Bachelor's Degree in Engineering from an ABET accredited program with seven (7) or more years of experience in a program engineer capacity
OR Bachelor's Degree in Engineering from a non-ABET accredited program plus a Professional Engineering license with seven (7) or more years of experience in a program engineer capacity

Nice To Haves

Five (5) or more years of experience in power generation, asset management, or reliability engineering
Experience in the utility or energy sector preferred
Professional certifications such as CMRP, PMP, or Six Sigma

Responsibilities

Prepare, schedule, coordinate, and monitor assigned engineering projects
Assign responsibilities and mentor project team members
Build strong partnerships with business stakeholders and understand their goals
Interact with clients to interpret needs and represent them in the field
Ensure compliance with applicable codes, QA/QC policies, performance standards, and specifications
Support Agile project delivery by balancing team performance with tight deadlines
Develop specifications for required equipment
Review engineering deliverables and initiate corrective actions as needed
Provide technical support to project managers and collaborate with senior engineers to improve project efficiency and profitability
Perform quality control on budgets, schedules, plans, and personnel performance
Report on project status
Perform other duties as assigned
Analyze Threats to Generation reports, system health metrics, and operational feedback
Identify factors impacting unit availability
Maintain a comprehensive risk register for generation assets
Establish and maintain metrics for asset availability and reliability
Create executive-level reports and dashboards to communicate performance trends and risk mitigation progress
Facilitate regular stakeholder reviews to address site-specific concerns and emerging risks
Collaborate with operations, maintenance, engineering, and planning teams to ensure alignment
Recommend and support initiatives to enhance asset performance and reduce forced outages
Lead root cause analysis for availability-impacting events
Present findings, insights, and recommendations to senior leadership
Support strategic planning with data-driven input on asset health and availability