Plant Engineer

About TECO With more than 50 years of experience serving the Texas Medical Center (TMC) campus in Houston, TX, Thermal Energy Corporation (TECO) owns and operates the district energy system supplying thermal utilities to the largest medical city in the world. The chilled water and steam system – owned and operated by TECO since 1978 – began under the ownership of Houston Natural Gas Company in 1969. TECO’s combined heat and power based (CHP) system pipes chilled water and steam to 25.4 million square feet in 51 buildings across 16 different institutions. Customers use TECO’s chilled water service for space cooling, cold rooms and refrigeration; and TECO’s steam service to meet space heating, dehumidification, humidification, sterilization, kitchen, sanitary and research requirements. As the largest district cooling system in North America since it completed a major expansion in 2011, TECO produces chilled water and steam at two interconnected plants housing 27 chillers and nine boilers. TECO also has approximately 100MW of electrical generation capacity. SUMMARY Provide technical support for daily operations, maintenance activities, infrastructure improvements, process improvements, design, equipment acquisition, asset breakdown analysis, corrosion mitigation, regulatory compliance, and overall plant performance. Essential Duties and Responsibilities Makes recommendations on issues regarding project components and tasks. Makes recommendations on new processes, tools and services; supports and contributes to development of new products, services or techniques. Works on problems of diverse scope ranging from moderate to complex. Serves as project/technical lead on small to medium sized projects; may coordinate work of professionals, technicians and others outside of own department. Reviews preventive maintenance (PM) reports/results to optimize PM tasks and intervals. Reviews and analyzes plant data to trend equipment degradation and recommend corrective actions. Performs engineering inspection of operating machines and equipment for conformance with operational standards. Analyzes and proposes well defined solutions for nuisance equipment issues. Assist other staff in preparation and execution of troubleshooting plans for equipment performance issues. Plans, develops and implements new methods and procedures designed to improve operations and maintenance, minimize operating costs and affect greater utilization of labor and materials. Prepares and reviews Management of Change documentation as required for operating discipline, process and/or equipment changes. Reviews technical documentation (P&IDs, O&M manuals, Piping Isometrics, Electrical One-Lines, etc.) to provide assistance to maintenance and operations personnel in performing their tasks. Estimates material and labor requirements to complete projects. Monitors project schedules and budgets, and intervenes as required to keep these areas on target. Oversees the activities of contractors used for preventive maintenance and minor repairs; inspects progress to ensure conformance to specifications and schedules. Confers with management to resolve maintenance or operational problems and recommends measures to improve operation and/or condition of machines and equipment. Works with other engineering personnel to assist in project design, construction and completion. Coordinates activities of TECO and contractor personnel to ensure project progresses on schedule, are being performed in safe manner and are completed within prescribed budget. Evaluates project proposals, specifications, and analyzes engineering firms, contractors and suppliers capabilities and performance. Creates and/or updates existing technical engineering specifications for the plants and distribution systems. Works well as a team player with Operations, Maintenance, and administrative personnel while performing daily duties. Reviews designs for compliance with engineering principles, company and safety standards, and related specifications. Uses common software packages such as MS Office, MS Word, MS Excel, MS Project, etc. Uses computer assisted engineering and design software to perform engineering tasks. Attends industry conferences/training to stay up to date with latest industry trends. Resource integrator –builds professional networks and identifies and connects resources to achieve goals. Performs all work in safe manner and in accordance to TECO's safety rules and procedures. Wears OSHA-approved safety glasses, hearing protection, safety shoes, and other personal protective equipment such as hard hats and respirators, as required. QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS Education and/or Experience: Four year engineering degree (Mechanical Engineering preferred) from ABET accredited institution; 0 – 10 years related experience and/or training. Basic knowledge of electrical power generation, chilling stations, boilers, process plants, or related field a plus. Language Skills: Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, Industry Codes/Standards, and governmental regulations. Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, and the general public. Mathematical Skills: Ability to apply engineering related mathematical concepts to perform calculations and statistical analysis. Reasoning Ability: Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Ability to interpret technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several variables. Certificates, Licenses, Registrations: Texas EIT or PE registration preferred. PHYSICAL DEMANDS While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, stand, or walk; use hands to fingers, handle and feel objects, tools, and controls; ability to talk and hear. The employee frequently is required to reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to stoop, kneel or crouch and may be required to use stairs/ladders and personnel lifts to access equipment. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. WORK ENVIRONMENT While performing the duties of this job, the employee occasionally works near moving mechanical parts; in high, precarious places; and in outside weather conditions and is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, loud operating equipment, fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, risk of electrical shock, and vibration. The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet. DISCLAIMER The information on this description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Job Types: Full-time, Permanent Benefits: 401(k) 401(k) matching Dental insurance Employee assistance program Flexible schedule Flexible spending account Health insurance Health savings account Life insurance Paid time off Tuition reimbursement Vision insurance Schedule: 10 hour shift 8 hour shift Day shift Education: Bachelor's (Required) Ability to Relocate: Houston, TX: Relocate before starting work (Required) Work Location: In person