Plant Mechanical Engineer (I, II or Senior)

Platte River Power Authority is a not-for-profit, community-owned public power utility that generates and delivers safe, reliable, environmentally responsible and financially sustainable energy and services to Estes Park, Fort Collins, Longmont and Loveland, Colorado, for delivery to their utility customers.

At Platte River, we share a sense of purpose and pride in the value we add to our communities, our region and the energy industry. We rely on our staff to sustain our leadership role in the region and to help us work toward our goal to achieve a 100% noncarbon energy mix within the next decade. To accomplish this, we offer competitive pay and benefits, state-of-the-art workplaces at both headquarters and the Rawhide Energy Station, and the following unique benefits:

• Onsite, fully-equipped gym facilities
• Fleet cars for use by staff for local business travel
• Employee rewards, health and financial wellness programs
• Volunteer days and opportunities to participate in community events
• Culture of respect, commitment and camaraderie

If you’re searching for a collaborative working environment within a mid-sized organization that values innovative ideas, diverse perspectives and provides opportunities to make a difference, consider joining the Platte River team.

Job Summary

The plant mechanical engineer provides support to Rawhide Energy Station’s staff and systems, and recommends as well as implements engineering solutions to ensure reliable, safe and efficient operation of coal and natural gas generation, natural gas transmission, water treatment and transmission, and supporting infrastructure. Platte River has one opening to fill at the I, II or senior level.

Work Hours and Environment

This position works onsite at Platte River's Rawhide Energy Station and is regularly scheduled to work four 10-hour shifts, Monday through Thursday, 6:30 am - 5:00 pm. After-hours and overtime work is scheduled or required on an as-needed basis (e.g., outages, emergencies). This job requires moderate to considerable physical effort that includes working from ladders in awkward positions. Frequent use of light or medium-weight objects (e.g. 25-50 lbs.) and use of medium-weight tools is required. There is exposure to industrial conditions that are unpredictable and may lead to workplace injury.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Models the mission, vision, values, and culture of the organization;
• Collaborates with engineering, maintenance, operations and safety to recommend, plan and implement engineering solutions to improve safety, reliability and optimal performance;
• Monitors the real-time performance of plant systems and equipment;
• Researches, evaluates, recommends and/or applies new technologies to improve unit reliability;
• Manages and leads projects across functional groups, coordinates assignments, and handles multiple tasks concurrently, including cost justification, creating scopes of work, request for proposals (RFP), bid evaluation, assisting with contract development and execution, budget management and document management;
• Performs and oversees others performing detailed inspection of plant equipment during outages;
• Performs detailed outage maintenance planning and coordination;
• Selects, organizes, coordinates, and supervises multiple contractors during planned outages;
• Investigates and evaluate equipment failures including root cause analysis and recommends improvements;
• Performs monthly unit heat rate calculations and assessments;
• Performs combustion unit performance testing and analysis;
• Leads design and implementation of new and retrofit plan equipment;
• Supports the development, maintenance, and compliant execution of the ASME R-Stamp certification and code weld program;
• Performs monthly operational and regulatory reporting requirements;
• Stays informed latest developments in the power industry;
• Assists with annual capital and operations and maintenance budgets for the engineering department and outage activities budgeted by the maintenance department;
• Directs and indirectly supervises other staff or contractors as appropriate to assist with troubleshooting, repairs, or installation of new equipment;
• Reviews and updates mechanical engineering drawings, ensuring accuracy and proper document management;
• Mentors other engineers in the department and act as the subject matter expert for other departments in the organization.

Other Duties

• Performs performance monitoring and testing on plant equipment such as pumps, fans, coal mills, steam turbine, and feedwater heaters;
• Assists with the station’s oil sampling program and interpretation of results;
• Assists with underground utility locates and excavation oversight;
• This position is subject to the U.S. Department of Transportation's Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) regulations and subject to random drug screening;
• Works overtime including plant emergencies and extended hours on nights and weekends as operational needs dictate;
• Senior level: Fills in for the supervisor as needed;
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of safety principles and policies in an industrial work setting;
• Demonstrated success managing or leading projects of considerable scope & complexity, within budget and on schedule;
• Ability to coordinate assignments and handle multiple tasks concurrently, under pressure, while maintaining composure, with minimal supervision;
• Ability to analyze and diagnose complex operational problems and direct necessary corrective action;
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills;
• Demonstrated effective use of computers including general office software;
• Ability to establish work priorities and work independently on assigned tasks with minimal supervision;
• Knowledge of the operation and maintenance of a fossil fuel fired power plant;
• Knowledge in the use of predictive maintenance tools, like thermal imaging with infrared camera and portable ultrasonic leak detection instrument is preferred;
• Ability to identify potential work process problems and provide solutions;
• Demonstrated advanced problem-solving, critical thinking, and independent decision making, with consistent attention to detail;
• Demonstrated understanding of how decisions impact the overall organization.

What You’ll Need to Qualify

• Valid driver’s license and ability to be insured under a corporate vehicle liability policy;
• Bachelor’s degree in engineering from an accredited four-year college (major in mechanical engineering preferred).

• Level I engineer:
• Have passed Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam, or be prepared to pass within 18 months of hire date.
• Level II engineer:
• Have passed FE exam;
• 2-4 years of progressive experience working in a power plant or other industrial facility.
• Senior level engineer:
• Have one of the following:
• Professional Engineer (PE) license,
• Project Management Professional (PMP) certification, or
• Master’s degree related to core business or functional area.
• 7+ years of progressive experience working as degreed mechanical engineer at a power plant or other industrial facility.

• Certified Welding Inspector (CWI).

Pay

The plant mechanical engineer is a salaried exempt position that is paid bi-weekly. Factors that may be used to determine actual salary include specific skills, years of experience, education and certifications.

• Anticipated hiring range: $83,842 to $100,631 if annualized;
• Full pay range: $83,842 to $117,420 if annualized;

• Anticipated hiring range: $105,060 to $126,175 if annualized;
• Full pay range: $105,060 to $147,084 if annualized;

• Anticipated hiring range: $129,162 to $158,311 if annualized;
• Full pay range: $129,162 to $187,357 if annualized.

Benefits

Platte River Power Authority offers employees an outstanding benefits package. Benefits offered for this position may include the following:

• Health insurance options including a PPO and high deductible health savings account with prescription drug coverage
• Telemedicine
• Benefit advocacy
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• Flexible spending plan
• Basic life insurance
• Basic accidental death and disability
• Dependent life and supplemental life insurance options (voluntary)
• Accidental death and disability insurance (voluntary)
• Long-term disability insurance
• Retirement plans 401a defined contribution plan 457b deferred compensation plan
• Paid holidays (12 annually)
• Paid time off: personal and sick leave
• Wellness program
• In-house training opportunities
• Tuition reimbursement
• Employee assistance program

For additional information, please see our website careers page at:

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status.

Platte River endeavors to make our careers site accessible to any and all users. If you would like to contact us regarding the accessibility of our website or need assistance completing the application process, please call us at 970-229-5323 or email

Must be legally eligible to work in the United States. Platte River cannot provide employment to applicants who will require sponsorship now or in the future (i.e. H1B visa, OPT status).