Combustion Engineer (Sr. or Sr. Eng. II) - Salt Lake City, UT - #110041

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PacifiCorp is seeking customer-centric candidates to grow and sustain our commitment to a culture of customer service excellence, environmental sustainability and diversity, equity and inclusion. 
 
 

General Purpose

Leads functional teams and provides technical oversight in performing all phases of projects. Assists with internal training for engineers and technicians. Works closely with managers and principal engineers on higher-level projects, and in recommending and implementing changes that benefit the company. Develops advanced engineering studies, plans, specifications, calculations, evaluations, design documents, and performance assessments associated with the planning, design, licensing, construction, operation, and maintenance of the company’s generation facilities/systems.

Responsibilities

• Improves combustion throughout the fleet by providing solutions to complex engineering, operations, and maintenance challenges. 
• Supports plant personnel by providing technical oversight and guidance regarding fuel characterization and combustion performance in PacifiCorp fleet of coal-fired generating stations.  
• Supports senior managers by providing technical expertise and consulting services related to coal and coal combustion. 
• Analyzes the effects of coal composition on boiler operation and performance, including fouling/slagging behavior, thermal efficiency, and fireside corrosion and erosion. 
• Helps plant personnel formulate strategies which minimize pollutant formation based on best engineering practices and knowledge of combustion dynamics.  Review of NOx reducing strategies including SCR/SNCR.
• Provides on-site support to plant engineering, maintenance, and operations personnel by:
  o    Tuning boiler controls, including controls optimization tools, to ensure compliance with air quality permits and to optimize combustion efficiency and environmental compliance.  
  o    Support testing boiler gas flow distribution, gas composition, and boiler equipment performance, testing performance of modified or upgraded equipment, and conducting test burns. 
  o    Support inspecting plant equipment during scheduled and forced outages, and by helping plant personnel create inspection reports and repair recommendations. 
  o    Training plant engineering, operations, and maintenance personnel. 
  o    Investigating the root causes of failures and performance deficiencies and by working with plant personnel to develop action plans to prevent future failures.
  o    Monitoring changes in plant performance, and reporting these trends to managers and plant personnel
•  Works with plant and fuels personnel to develop fuel blending strategies to meet plant performance targets.
• Works with plant and projects personnel to support gas conversion studies and analysis.  Review proposals, compare and analyze options, and support project execution
• Works with plant operations personnel and other corporate groups to evaluate and improve unit start up times.  
• Creates written standards, guidelines, and best practices.
• Act as a lead/expert in the work group; train and mentor associate and career level engineers and/or technicians.

Requirements

Requirements for the Sr. Level Engineer:
•    Bachelor’s degree in engineering from an accredited college/university.
•    A minimum of five or more years’ experience in industrial power systems or electric utility power systems, or related professional experience.
•    Knowledge of the fundamentals of proper coal combustion in a utility sized boiler, operation and maintenance of burners, pulverizers, soot blowers, regenerative air heaters, fans, burner tilt mechanisms, coal handling equipment, etc.
•    Must be willing to travel to and work at plant sites and must have a valid driver's license
•    Project management and leadership skills including the ability to work as a team member, to maintain project timelines, budgets, and deliver on commitments.
•    Understanding of company’s business, and relevant policies, procedures, and practices.
•    Knowledge of applicable federal, state, local laws, regulations and the National Electric Codes.  
•    Ability to perform effectively in high-pressure situations while maintaining focus and calmness.
•    Demonstrated communication and interpersonal skills involving the ability to work cross-functionally to understand requirements, present alternatives, and recommendations. 
•    Proficient with the use of personal computers including automated tools.

In addition, the requirements for the Sr. Engineer II position include:
•    A Minimum of six or more years of experience.
•    Advanced technical degree of professional engineer (PE) license required; or 8 years of