Job Title: Senior Field Engineer, Mechanical
Location: Dalton, GA
Type: Direct-Hire (Full-time)
Overview:
Client is seeking a Mechanical Field Engineer to support its Combined Cycle Facility near Dalton, GA, currently the company’s largest power plant. This position combines mechanical troubleshooting, outage planning, design review, equipment reliability, and capital project execution.
As the plant’s dedicated mechanical engineer, this person will work closely with the Electrical Engineer, plant leadership, maintenance and operations teams, and corporate Technical Services. Responsibilities span the equipment lifecycle, from developing specifications and reviewing designs through installation, commissioning, troubleshooting, and ongoing maintenance.
The primary focus is on heat recovery steam generators (HRSGs), high energy piping, and balance-of-plant mechanical systems. Gas turbine knowledge is beneficial, while major gas turbine maintenance is supported through an existing OEM agreement.
Key Responsibilities:
- Provide mechanical engineering support to improve plant reliability, performance, and long-term equipment condition.
- Plan and support annual maintenance outages, including scope development, inspections, contractor coordination, and equipment repairs.
- Support the development and execution of capital projects, including technical specifications, equipment selection, design review, installation oversight, and commissioning.
- Review drawings, vendor submittals, specifications, engineering calculations, and designs prepared by outside engineering firms.
- Oversee HRSG and high energy piping inspections, maintenance activities, and reliability improvements.
- Troubleshoot mechanical equipment and system issues, applying engineering analysis and thermodynamics to evaluate performance and recommend solutions.
- Develop and support predictive and preventive maintenance activities within the plant’s computerized maintenance management system.
- Coordinate engineering firms, equipment vendors, construction contractors, and maintenance providers.
- Conduct field inspections, verify installation quality, and support equipment acceptance and project closeout.
- Provide technical and business input on project budgets, equipment upgrades, and maintenance priorities.
- Work collaboratively with operations, maintenance, and plant leadership to implement practical improvements.
Required Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or Chemical Engineering.
- Typically five or more years of relevant engineering experience. Strong candidates with three to four years of applicable experience will also be considered.
- Hands-on field experience supporting mechanical equipment, outages, construction, equipment installation, or commissioning in a power generation or industrial environment.
- Understanding of mechanical systems such as boilers, pumps, valves, piping, heat exchangers, cooling towers, or rotating equipment.
- Ability to interpret engineering drawings, specifications, calculations, and vendor documentation.
- Strong troubleshooting, analytical, organizational, and communication skills.
- Ability to work independently while building effective relationships with craft labor, contractors, operators, and plant leadership.
- Valid driver’s license that meets company requirements.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience at a combined-cycle facility, electric utility, or power generation equipment OEM.
- Relevant experience in oil and gas, pulp and paper, or other industrial facilities with comparable mechanical systems.
- Experience with HRSGs, high energy piping, steam or gas turbines, and outage planning.
- Experience managing mechanical projects from scope development through installation and startup.
- Familiarity with plant maintenance management systems and predictive/preventive maintenance programs.
- Exposure to fire protection systems as part of a broader mechanical engineering background.
- OSHA and lockout/tagout training.
Work Environment & Schedule:
- This is an onsite, plant-based position in Dalton, GA.
- Extended hours, evenings, and weekends may be required during outages and critical project activities.
- Infrequent travel may be required for factory acceptance testing and equipment inspections.
- Work includes office responsibilities and field activities involving noise, temperature extremes, heights, confined spaces, and proximity to operating equipment.
- Must be able to perform field inspections, collect equipment data, and support construction acceptance testing.
Interview Process:
- Initial 30–45-minute video interview with the Mechanical Engineering Manager.
- Onsite interview and plant tour with plant and maintenance leadership, potentially lasting approximately half a day.
