Expert, Hydro Generation Mechanical Engineer

Requisition ID # 158661 

Job Category: Engineering / Science; Maintenance / Construction / Operations 

Job Level: Individual Contributor

Business Unit: Electric Engineering

Work Type: Onsite

Job Location: San Ramon

Department Overview

Applied Technology Services (ATS) is an internal service organization that provides high quality technical services and expertise on an as-needed basis to all business lines at Pacific Gas & Electric Company (PG&E), including the Diablo Canyon Power Plant (DCPP). Based at PG&E’s San Ramon Technology Center, ATS is a multi-disciplinary team of approximately 120 engineers and technical personnel who perform work in the ATS San Ramon offices, laboratories, and in the field.

ATS Mechanical Engineering Services (MES) and Numeric Analysis team provides primarily mechanical engineering testing, inspections, and engineering services to support the PG&E system. MES work includes performing plant condition and performance assessments, commissioning support, state of the art predictive maintenance applications, Finite Element Analysis (FEA) modeling of power plant components, Computation Fluid Dynamics (CFD) modeling and field and  laboratory stress-strain measurements and analysis.  Our engineers and technicians have extensive experience providing testing support for PG&E hydro powerhouse startup and commissioning activities.  Additionally, the team provides acoustic and vibration analysis on a wide range of applications.

Position Summary

This Expert Rotating Machinery Mechanical Engineer position is focused on safely leading a test team and executing performance testing and analysis of equipment and components across the PG&E system with focus on hydro powerhouses. Systems include, but are not limited to, all types of rotating machinery (turbine-generators, compressors and pumps), governors and control systems, mechanical and electrical relays, hydro power plants and associated systems, pipelines, substation, transmission and distribution equipment.  This position combines testing and data analysis to deliver practical solutions to complex issues for a wide variety of internal clients.  Services include plant condition assessment and predictive maintenance testing, failure analysis and performance assessments.  Candidates should possess the necessary skills to assess and understand the business needs of clients. Safety is PG&E’s highest priority and candidates will need to demonstrate behaviors that support this commitment.

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, 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:

• Minimum Base Salary (Bay Area)    $140,000.00
• Mid Base Salary (Bay Area)    $189,000.00
• Maximum Base Salary (Bay Area)    $238,000.00

Responsibilities

• ·         Lead tests test team and coordinate scope with internal clients.
• ·         Completes assignments with a broad scope and complexity focused on practical resolutions.  
• ·         Collaborates with team determining scope, schedule, budget and resources needed to produce a successful test outcome.
• ·         Develops test protocols and designs on complex systems to meet the objectives of projects.
• ·         Expands knowledge in other areas of specialty or discipline, developing breadth or further develops expertise and specialization in one area.
• ·         Collaborates with peers to prepare technical reports and to identify, define, and solve problems.
• ·         Able to execute multiple projects concurrently. Lead development of test protocols, technologies and analyzes data.  Evaluates performance of parts, assemblies or systems under simulated or actual operating conditions, and records results. Compiles project test results, prepares presentations and recommendations for client and/or ATS leadership.
• ·         Identifies innovations and cost-reduction potential of new and existing technologies.
• ·         Determines customer expectations and ensures project deliverables meet customer satisfaction objectives.

Qualifications

Minimum:

• ·         Bachelor's degree in Engineering with an emphasis on related / assigned discipline (i.e., Mechanical, Civil, or Electrical Engineering, etc.)
• ·         Seven years of related experience
• ·         Hydro power generation experience

Desired:

• ·         Master’s degree
• ·         P.E. license
• ·         Startup testing of hydro powerhouses
• ·         Demonstrated experience in plant engineering testing concepts and methods.
• ·         Experience in the application of predictive maintenance tools including but not limited to vibration monitoring, governor testing, generator heat runs and index testing.
• ·         Experience in acoustic testing, analysis and noise mitigation.
• ·         CAD and FEA experience such as SolidWorks and ANSYS.
• ·         Understanding of quality assurance concepts and practices.
• ·         Experience with test instrumentation application and usage.
• ·         Strong investigative and analytical problem-solving skills.
• ·         Demonstrated communication, presentation and teamwork skills.
• ·         Experience in a client focused environment.
• ·         Good mechanical aptitude.

Environment and working Conditions

• ·         Mix of independent work environment and small team environment (i.e., 2-7 members)
• ·         Office and field environment that requires walking, lifting up to 50 pounds, infrequent climbing and possible exposure to adverse weather and noise
• ·         Procedural and process-oriented structure, due to regulatory and quality requirements
• ·         Overnight travel of up to 50%
• ·         Overtime, weekends and holidays, as needed

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