Mechanical Engineer II (P4 Mechanical)

About the role

Leads research, design, and development activities to improve NYPA’s energy services. Designs, constructs, and tests equipment, ensuring standards of quality, cost, safety, reliability, timeliness, and performance are met throughout all engineering activities. Provides technical expertise to power-producing machines such as generators and turbines, as well as rotating machines including refrigeration, building systems, and fire protection. Leads and supports reliability, performance, and maintenance programs across the SENY fleet of combustion turbines, simple cycle units, and combined cycle plants.

Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, and maintain performance programs to enhance operation and maintenance of the SENY combustion turbine fleet, including establishing heat rate targets and tracking performance results.
• Conduct and document thermal performance balancing for combined cycle and simple cycle plants; develop formal performance verification procedures.
• Lead vibration analysis initiatives across SENY facilities, diagnosing machinery issues such as misalignment, oil whip, and other mechanical abnormalities through advanced vibration analytics.
• Implement and manage a thermographic analysis program for mechanical and electrical equipment; obtain and maintain certification as a qualified thermographic analyst.
• Administer a comprehensive lubrication program, reviewing lubrication products, frequencies, and analysis results; recommend oil consolidation where appropriate and determine corrective actions based on lube oil reports.
• Perform economic and performance modeling to support decisions on equipment additions, deletions, or upgrades.
• Analyze pump curves and related performance data using PI and EtaPro software.
• Recommend corrective actions and performance enhancements for problematic equipment; actively participate in condensate pump reviews, diagnostics, and testing activities.
• Lead Reliability Centered Maintenance (RCM) efforts for SENY, including completion of the RCM process for critical systems such as condensate pumps.
• Facilitate Root Cause Analyses (RCA) utilizing tools such as Taproot or Think Reliability.
• Review cathodic protection preventive maintenance results and recommend improvements based on findings.
• Support vendor activities during Heat Recovery Steam Generator (HRSG) inspections, including verification of required repairs and ensuring adherence to engineering and safety standards.
• Provide lead engineer function in support of a wide range of design modification projects, equipment applications, failure research, engineering studies, and operations and maintenance activities.
• Perform site visits to complete field condition assessments and equipment evaluations, and develop technical recommendations with moderate complexity.
• Perform occasional emergency response, including outside of normal business hours.
• Independently coordinate cross‑disciplinary activities for the successful development and execution of projects.
• Select and apply codes, standards, and procedures to work tasks appropriately.
• Perform evaluations to ensure engineering requirements and Authority specifications are satisfied.
• Provide technical leadership in state‑of‑the‑art engineering and analytical techniques.
• Review designs, calculations, specifications, and reports produced by other internal engineers and external consultants.
• Provide direction and review for the mechanical design and drafting personnel in the development of project drawings (site‑based).
• For assigned work and projects, provide supervision of maintenance department(s) staff and contractors, and prepare and monitor the day‑to‑day work activities of the crafts.
• Work with planners in scheduling work activities; oversee the safety of employees.
• Review job packages to ensure they are complete and current prior to performance of the work.
• Review completed work, job packages, and work orders to verify all steps are complete and to ensure that all data/information is recorded.

Skills

• Proficient in the design, operation, and maintenance of mechanical systems specific to the electric utility industry and power system components with projects related to power generating plant and substation facilities (site‑based).
• Working knowledge of mechanical systems in commercial and industrial facilities and their various systems and components.
• Ability to apply diverse technical principles and practices, with understanding of NYPA’s policies, operations, and objectives, to engineering deliverables.
• Working knowledge of applicable codes, standards, and regulations.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Collaborative and team‑oriented with ability to build relationships with vendors and stakeholders.
• Ability to coordinate the technical and commercial aspects of projects.
• Ability to perform engineering calculations, and complete specifications, scopes of work, reports, and interdisciplinary design packages.
• Competent in the use of Microsoft Office applications.
• Working experience with a mechanical design or forecasting software preferred (site‑based).
• Ability to effectively manage and prioritize multiple projects.
• Proficient in the design, operation, and maintenance of mechanical systems for commercial and industrial facilities and their various systems and components (customer‑based).

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science Degree in Mechanical Engineering, or equivalent, from an accredited college or university.
• Minimum of eight (8+) years of work‑related experience.
• New York State Engineer in Training certification preferred.

Requirements

• Approximately 10% travel primarily within NY State.
• Ability to access all areas of the plant and conduct physical evaluations of grounds and equipment, including ability to work at high elevations.

Pay

The estimated salary range for this position is $120,000 - $180,000. The salary offered will be determined based on the successful candidate’s relevant experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities.

Hiring Manager: John Mustaro • Department: Power Supply • Grade Level: EN10P4