Plant Engineer

Faribault Energy Park and Minnesota River Station | Faribault and Chaska, MN

Put your engineering skills to work in two operating power plants which are owned by the Minnesota Municipal Power Agency and operating by NAES. As Plant Engineer, you will work alongside experienced operators and technicians to solve equipment problems, improve plant performance, and support maintenance and plant improvements. You will provide engineering support at both facilities, with the added responsibility of managing day-to-day activities at Minnesota River Station.

Faribault Energy Park (FEP) is an approximately 300 MW combined-cycle facility with a GE 7FA turbine. Minnesota River Station (MRS) is an approximately 50 MW simple-cycle facility with a Siemens SGT-800, about a 40-minute drive from FEP. MRS is dispatched against MISO locational marginal prices (LMPs) and operates intermittently, with staff dispatched from FEP; it may also be started remotely from FEP before staff arrive.

NAES operates both plants under Avant Energy’s management. You will be employed by NAES and report to the Plant Manager.

• Provide engineering support at both plants, troubleshoot equipment problems, and help improve reliability, performance, and operating costs.
• Take responsibility for MRS performance, including availability, successful start percentage, efficiency, and output while operating, and manage its operating expense budget. Coordinate maintenance, contractors, and projects to achieve these results. In addition, take responsibility for training plant staff.
• Responsible for plant condition. Overall guidance for plant is to “Repair to Like New.”
• Support outage planning, equipment improvements, and Faribault’s planned turbine upgrade.
• Assist with budgets, performance reporting, and safety, environmental, and NERC compliance.
• Work with FEP’s management, operations, and maintenance team, NAES technical specialists, and Avant Energy to resolve issues and get work completed.

• A degree in mechanical, electrical, or another relevant engineering discipline; comparable military or industry experience may be considered.
• At least, 5 years of relevant engineering or industrial experience preferred.
• Practical problem-solving ability, sound judgment, clear communication, and reliable follow-through.
• An interest in hands-on plant work, willingness to learn from experienced personnel, and readiness to take responsibility. Power generation experience is helpful.

We are seeking someone who will contribute now and build a long career with the team. Future advancement will depend on demonstrated performance and available opportunities.

Base salary of $115,000 to $150,000 depending on qualifications, plus eligibility for an annual performance bonus of up to 15%.

Expect roughly three days per week at FEP, where NAES management, operations, and maintenance staff are based, and two days  balance may change when MRS is operating. Additional hours may be needed during outages and critical events. A valid driver’s license is required.

Work includes office and field duties in an operating plant and requires adherence to NAES safety and fitness-for-duty requirements. NAES is an equal opportunity employer.