Performance Engineer (DOE) - HDQ

Performance Engineer

This position plans, schedules, conducts, and/or coordinates broader phases of engineering work on assigned parts of major projects, or total activities associated with smaller modification projects as assigned. These assignments are designed to develop professional work knowledge and ability. The incumbent assists with ensuring efficient, reliable, and economical performance of individual systems and/or equipment.

Essential Duties:

• Assist in the evaluation of testing data; monitor the efficiency of plant systems; evaluate fuel analysis and fuel measurements; review technical reports for performance related items; coordinate major equipment testing; develop detailed test procedures; and as assigned, explore areas which will decrease operational costs of the Cooperative's facilities, while assuring environmental compliance.
• Assist with the development and implementation of procedures or guidelines for validation and interpretation of data, determination of appropriate performance characteristics and trends, determination of sources of performance problems, analysis of performance in relation to appropriate baselines, determination of losses due to degradation, corrective actions, performance optimization, and controls to sustain performance improvements at the Cooperative's facilities, consistent with the Cooperative's goals.
• Coordinate computer software acquisition used for modeling and evaluating power plant and environmental system performance, including working with each station on the development and optimization of on-line performance monitoring.
• Attend periodic performance discussions with plant performance engineers and assist in the review of technical reports.
• Develop effective working relationships with all major departments within Basin Electric Power Cooperative headquarters and staff at operating power plants, as appropriate.
• During plant outages, the incumbent may be required to provide outage support at the plant for extended periods of time.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree from an Engineering Accreditation Commission/Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (EAC/ABET) accredited mechanical or chemical engineering program.
• A valid driver’s license.
• Travel occasionally required by motor vehicle or aircraft, which may also include overnight stays.

Physical and Environmental Demands:

• This position requires frequent sitting; and occasional standing/walking, bending/reaching, climbing, use of keyboard/computer, crawling, pushing/pulling up to 20 pounds, and lifting/carrying up to 50 pounds.
• Frequent working conditions include dirt/dust, fumes, extreme heat/cold, vibration, and noise; and occasionally poor ventilation and electrical risks. This position must be respirator qualified.
• The incumbent is required to be clean-shaven for respirator fit testing and while assigned to work within certain locations on a plant site.
• The incumbent will occasionally be required to work at heights up to 350 feet, which requires the use of safety equipment, including a harness, in accordance with ANSI Z359 standards.
• This position may work in confined spaces.
• This position requires good color vision, finger dexterity, hand coordination, and good hearing.
• The incumbent uses engineering tools and instruments, the on-line performance monitoring system, and miscellaneous testing equipment.

Key Skills:

• Knowledge of engineering principles and practices.
• Ability to analyze data/reports, conduct research, implement recommendations, develop plans, procedures, and goals, and present information.
• Demonstrate effective verbal and technical writing skills.
• Proficient with personal computers and Microsoft Word, Outlook, and Excel.