SR. PERFORMANCE ENGINEER

Please note this position is open only to U.S. citizens.

*** $15,000 Sign-On Bonus ***

We are pleased to offer a competitive sign-on bonus to new employees who join our team. This bonus is our way of welcoming you to Dairyland Power Cooperative and recognizing the unique skills and expertise you bring to our organization.

Hiring Salary: $125,000-$180,533

Compensation is determined by a combination of factors, including but not limited to education, work experience, and certifications. The actual offer may vary, reflecting the candidate's unique blend of experience, educational background, and skill level.

The Sr. Performance Engineer is responsible to provide advanced analytical and strategic leadership in the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of plant performance monitoring and testing programs, ensuring the optimal economic and reliable performance of power production equipment and systems. Lead the design and execution of programs that drive sustained plant performance improvements, including enterprise-wide heat rate training, awareness, and accountability initiatives. Direct and coordinate long-term optimization strategies for generation facilities, ensuring alignment with organizational performance, reliability, and efficiency objectives.

The Impact You'll Make In This Role:

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:
1.    Lead and set direction for developing strategies for improving power plant performance through an effective monitoring program and performance evaluation process.  Oversee and ensure continuous improvement of analytical computer software used to track, evaluate and report plant performance.

2.    Provide advanced analytical expertise and strategic guidance to the Fuels Department to help evaluate and select various fuels for power plant combustion.

3.    Lead the development, validation and optimization of computer-based performance models for each generating unit, which will guide the operations in adjusting process variables within their control to attain best possible power production efficiencies.  

4.    Direct and confirm accuracy of activities to maintain a plant performance database and compile data used in reporting plant performance data for in-house and outside agencies (i.e., GADs, DOE (EIA), MISO, NERC, etc.).

5.    Lead and oversee the development and implementation of generation station performance testing, supporting plant performance improvement goals and objectives.  Coordinate and oversee periodic power plant testing to develop and update baseline data for tracking of component heat balance and net station heat rate.

6.    Serve as a primary technical resource and subject matter expert for power plant staff on performance related topics.  

7.    Conduct and lead advanced thermodynamic analysis of power plant cycles/equipment using computer-modeling techniques where applicable.  Identify and work to resolve deviations from standards or operating procedures.  Develop and communicate test results providing information contributing to improved plant performance and efficiencies for plant operators and management.

8.    Oversee and enhance computer-based performance models, which guide and attain optimal power production efficiencies. Evaluate and direct the use of computer programs to model the impact of operational changes and/or unit modifications on plant operations under the direction of plant management.

9.    Initiate, plan, and lead performance related capital projects designed to improve and/or address plant performance issues. Provide technical leadership for engineering design calculations and sketches, independently or with technical assistance from staff engineers, consultants, and/or contractors.  

10.    Provide technical oversight and direction for testing performance-related activities of contractors, vendors and assigned DPC staff.  

11.    Develop, review and present progress reports for assigned projects.  Lead discussions with Executive Management, the Board of Directors, or regulatory agencies project summary report data, analysis, and calculations in order to ensure efficiency and expediency of project completion

12.    Maintain engineering expertise through continuing education, conference attendance, and cultivation of professional contacts in the power industry.  

13.    Lead, mentor, and develop other Operations division engineers and staff.

14.    Provide leadership and influence as a team member on multi-department projects or committees.

15.    Perform other duties as assigned.

Your Experience and Expertise:

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Education & Experience: B.S. Degree in Engineering or Physical Sciences with a minimum of ten (10) years of progressively responsible experience in project management, plant engineering, operations, or maintenance. Demonstrated expertise in power plant performance, including analysis, modeling, and advanced use of computer applications. Proven capability in project planning, engineering design, and budgeting. Strong track record of cross-functional collaboration within the cooperative and effective coordination with professional engineers, consultants, contractors, public agencies, and other external stakeholders.

Skills: Knowledge of power plant operation and thermodynamic modeling and applications.  Well-developed written and oral communication skills.  Management oversight and coordination of plant resources and personnel.  Experience in plant testing and reporting, computer science, engineering economic analysis and power station engineering design, operation and maintenance. Computer literacy.  Ability to work cooperatively with people at all levels.

Licenses and Certifications: Possess or be qualified to attain Professional Engineering Registration.  Valid Driver’s License.

Physical Demands:  The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to stand, walk, use hands to finger, handle or feel, and reach with hands and arms. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Environmental Demands: Work indoors and outdoors, frequently in extreme heat, cold, noise, and mechanical hazards.  Occasionally work at heights, and around explosive, electrical, fume/odor, dust, radiation, radioactive contamination, and chemical hazards.  Work alongside or near heavy construction equipment, high speed rotating machinery, high voltage, high amperage electrical equipment, and high pressure/temperature equipment systems and components.