Power Generation Plant Engineer, Senior

Requisition ID # 162214 

Job Category: Power Generation; Engineering / Science 

Job Level: Individual Contributor

Business Unit: Operations - Other

Work Type: Onsite

Job Location: Antioch

Department Overview

Power Generation operates and maintains PG&E's hydroelectric, fossil, solar generation and battery storage facilities, providing approximately 5,300 megawatts of generating capacity for our customers. Our nearly 900 coworkers are dedicated to delivering safe, reliable and cost-effective generation to California in an environmentally responsible manner. Our hydro facilities include 62 conventional hydro powerhouses, a pumped-storage facility, 98 reservoirs, 168 dams and more than 200 miles of canals and flumes, among other water conveyances. Natural gas-fired plants in operation are Humboldt Bay Generating Station in Eureka; Colusa Generating Station in Colusa County and Gateway Generating Station in Antioch. Several utility-scale solar generation plants also are operated and maintained, as well as PG&E’s successful entry into battery energy storage, our Elkhorn Battery facility at Moss Landing in Monterey County.

Position Summary

This is an ESC represented exempt classification currently subject to collective bargaining.

This is a Senior level Engineer job that works under the direction of the plant manager and is typically as the sole engineering representative at the site. As such, the Plant Engineer must be well rounded with the ability to work in multiple arenas. The Job Duties listed below depend on a thorough understanding of the generation technology in use at the site and will be dominated by Production Support and Monitoring Plant Performance. This position is also responsible for providing facility personnel with technical engineering support for routine projects, including, but not limited to providing technical data; applying engineering principles to investigate, analyze, and propose solutions to technical issues; oversee or conduct engineering design review, and in the review of applicable engineering documents.

PG&E is providing the salary range that the company in good faith believes it might pay for this position at the time of the job posting. This compensation range is specific to the locality of the job.  The actual salary paid to an individual will be based on multiple factors, including, but not limited to, specific skills, education, licenses or certifications, experience, market value, geographic location, collective bargaining agreements, and internal equity.  Although we estimate the successful candidate hired into this role will be placed towards the middle or entry point of the range, the decision will be made on a case-by-case basis related to these factors.

A reasonable salary range is:

California Minimum: $148,272.00

California Maximum: $190,488.00

Job Responsibilities

Production Support: Works with the operations and maintenance teams to provide engineering support for plant projects. Assists maintenance team in short- and long-term outage and non-outage planning, leads the facility in root cause analysis and forced event reporting. Also Assists the site safety lead with accident investigation and assists the plant manager with the annual budget process.

Monitor Plant Performance: Works with plant operations and maintenance personnel to resolve and correct performance deficiencies. Uses familiarity with the facility equipment and engineering expertise to identify and communicate safety, performance, or reliability concerns. Monitors unit efficiency and identifies and troubleshoots deviations from expected values.

Develops & manages tools: Works with the power management/dispatch group to develop and maintain a detailed plant cost analysis tool for use in dispatching the facility in all conditions. Develops facility technical policies, procedures, and contributes to the development of facility standards, specifications and guidelines.

Project / Outage Support: Provide technical support during major and minor unit outages. May manage or direct projects or modifications to plant equipment and ensure proper installation, operation, and documentation. Represents PG&E at external industry associations, committees, trade organizations and other inter-utility groups.

Scope

Resolves problems of a broad scope. Assignments typically require from standard to complex solutions. Assignments are regularly reviewed by the Plant Manager. Responsible as back-up for the facility environmental manager and fills in for Plant Manager at some meetings and may provide vacation relief for Plant Manager. Customarily and regularly uses discretion and independent judgment in fulfilling these job functions.

Interaction

Internal contacts are with the facility management team to resolve plant performance issues, provide technical expertise as requested and to interact with system dispatch to maintain plant performance and dispatch tools.

Qualifications

Minimum:

• Five to ten years power plant experience specifically with the power generation technology in use at the subject plant. Greater experience within this range is required for individuals without an engineering degree.

Desired:

• A 4-year BS Degree in Engineering or a related technical discipline from an accredited curriculum in the US or the equivalent from outside the US is strongly preferred.
• Current and active California PE license is strongly preferred.
• Able to apply basic engineering principles and theory.
• Prioritizes, plans, and recommends solutions for routine projects.
• Effectively communicates both written and orally.
• Approaches and plans work in an organized manner to meet project commitments.
• Demonstrates good judgment when making decisions and recommendations.
• Ability and willingness to work overtime to support plant operation and maintenance. (Occasional phone calls during off hours are to be expected.)