Plant Engineering & Reliability Manager

The APEX Power Co. Project in Hubbard, TX, currently under Phase 1 construction, is expected to expand to 1.6 GW. It features a diverse mix of generation technologies, including Siemens SGT-800/400 simple cycle turbines, MAN/Everllence 18V51/60G gas reciprocating engines, GE LM6000/LM2500 simple cycle turbines, Pratt & Whitney FT8 simple cycle turbines, and a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS), enabling flexible, reliable power output. Future expansion may include additional GE aero and large frame units (6B, 7FA/7FB/7H) in simple or combined cycle configurations, allowing the plant to efficiently meet varying energy demands while supporting data center grid reliability.

Opportunity Summary

The Plant Engineering & Reliability Manager at the APEX Power Co. Project leads the site's engineering and reliability functions to support the safe, reliable, and efficient commissioning and operation of the facility. This role provides technical leadership for electrical, controls, mechanical, and plant systems; oversees engineering projects, reliability programs, capital improvements, and long-term asset strategies; and partners with Operations and Maintenance to resolve complex technical issues, improve equipment performance, and maximize plant reliability and availability.

As Plant Engineering & Reliability Manager, your responsibilities specific to the Pre-Commissioning Phase include:

• Lead the site's engineering and reliability activities throughout pre-commissioning, ensuring mechanical, electrical, instrumentation, controls, and BESS systems are installed, tested, and ready for startup.
• Oversee installation and commissioning of generation assets, BESS, and balance-of-plant systems, ensuring compliance with design specifications and acceptance criteria.
• Manage engineering support for system turnover and startup by coordinating technical resources, resolving engineering issues, completing punch list items, and leading resolution of commissioning deficiencies, startup issues, and design concerns through Root Cause Analysis (RCA) and corrective actions.
• Oversee validation of DCS, PLC, protection, instrumentation, electrical, and control systems, ensuring control logic, alarms, interlocks, communications, and data acquisition systems perform as designed before commercial operation.
• Establish the site's reliability program by developing asset criticality assessments, RCM strategies, FMEA/FMECA analyses, PM/PdM programs, and equipment reliability standards before commercial operation.
• Direct implementation of condition monitoring technologies, including vibration analysis, thermography, oil analysis, electrical diagnostics, ultrasonics, AOV/MOV testing, and online monitoring systems to establish equipment health baselines.
• Ensure CMMS/EAM asset hierarchies, engineering documentation, as-built drawings, technical procedures, and reliability data are complete to support long-term plant operation.

Your scope of responsibility as the Plant Engineering & Reliability Manager includes the following primary functions:

• Lead the plant's engineering and reliability programs to maximize the safety, availability, reliability, and lifecycle performance of generation assets, BESS, electrical systems, and balance-of-plant equipment.
• Provide technical leadership for complex mechanical, electrical, instrumentation, controls, and plant system issues, partnering with Operations and Maintenance to improve equipment performance.
• Direct RCM, PdM, FMEA/FMECA, asset criticality, and condition monitoring programs using vibration analysis, thermography, oil analysis, electrical diagnostics, ultrasonics, and AOV/MOV testing to optimize reliability and reduce lifecycle costs.
• Monitor plant performance, equipment health, heat rates, reliability metrics, and operational KPIs, implementing engineering solutions to improve reliability, efficiency, and reduce forced outages.
• Lead Root Cause Analysis (RCA) investigations for equipment failures, forced outages, generation losses, and significant operating events, ensuring effective corrective and preventive actions.
• Manage engineering projects, capital improvements, equipment upgrades, life-extension initiatives, and plant modifications, including Management of Change (MOC), while meeting schedule, budget, quality, and safety objectives.
• Oversee engineering support for planned outages, major maintenance, and long-term asset management by integrating equipment condition, operational risk, and reliability priorities into maintenance planning.
• Develop and maintain engineering standards, technical procedures, equipment specifications, CMMS/EAM data, technical documentation, and plant configuration records to support safe, reliable operations.
• Coordinate with OEMs, contractors, engineering firms, and corporate engineering to develop long-term asset strategies, maintenance plans, budgets, and capital forecasts.
• Lead and develop the engineering and reliability team while ensuring compliance with safety, environmental, regulatory, and company requirements and promoting operational excellence and continuous improvement.

Perform other duties as assigned to support safe, reliable, and compliant plant operations.

NAES Safe

Safety is a core value at NAES, and as a condition of employment, all employees are expected to remain mentally alert and work safely at all times. All NAES managers and supervisors have a direct and important role in ensuring that all work is performed in a healthy and safe manner. Effectiveness in carrying out this responsibility is part of the evaluation of each Supervisor’s performance.

Working Relationships

The Plant Engineering & Reliability Manager reports to the Plant Manager and supervises the site's engineering and reliability personnel. This role works closely with Operations, Maintenance, Environmental, Safety, and Administrative managers, partners with NAES Corporate Engineering Support Services, and provides technical leadership to support safe, reliable plant operations.

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions

Physical requirements include standing for extended periods of time, climbing stairs and ladders, working from elevated platforms and walkways at varying heights, and routinely lifting up to 50 pounds.

Power plant environment that may involve entering confined spaces, crawling through narrow areas, and handling hazardous materials, with exposure to fumes, extreme temperatures, and noise. Work may include high heat near equipment and varying outdoor weather conditions.

Some duties may require the use of protective equipment, which can include hard hats, safety glasses, and eye protection, air masks/respirators, ear protection, chemical suits, flame-resistant clothing (FRC), hot gloves, high-voltage protective gear, and fall protection. Fit testing for respirators may be required. Strict smoking restrictions apply in and around the facility.

Fitness for Duty

All personnel will participate in the Fitness for Duty Program, which includes a post-offer physical examination, drug screening, and post-employment random drug screening.

Work Schedule

The Plant Engineering & Reliability Manager works a standard Monday to Friday day shift schedule. This position will occasionally necessitate extended working hours and flexible shifts as needed, including weekends and holidays, in response to schedules, workload demands, and plant conditions. Periodic callouts or “On call” status may also be required.

Some travel may be involved to participate in Manager, Owner, User Group, or other offsite meetings.

Compensation

This position offers an annual base salary ranging from $174,300 to $205,308 and includes eligibility for an annual performance bonus.

Qualifications & Professional Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical, Mechanical, or Chemical Engineering, or a closely related field, is required. Equivalent industry experience in power generation, engineering, or military service may be considered in lieu of formal education.
• Extensive experience leading engineering and reliability functions within a power generation or heavy industrial facility, providing technical leadership for mechanical, electrical, instrumentation, controls, and balance-of-plant systems.
• Demonstrated expertise in reliability engineering methodologies, including Reliability-Centered Maintenance (RCM), Predictive Maintenance (PdM), FMEA/FMECA, Root Cause Analysis (RCA), asset criticality, and condition monitoring.
• Strong knowledge of power generation technologies, including gas turbines, reciprocating engines, Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS), and balance-of-plant equipment, with commissioning, startup, and operational experience preferred.
• Proven experience managing engineering projects, capital improvements, equipment upgrades, and plant modifications, including project planning, budgeting, execution, and Management of Change (MOC).
• Ability to analyze plant performance, equipment health, heat rates, and operational KPIs to optimize asset performance and reduce forced outages.
• Working knowledge of electrical power systems, instrumentation, protection systems, DCS/PLC controls, plant automation, and CMMS/EAM or operational data systems (e.g., OSIsoft PI or similar).
• Experience developing engineering standards, maintenance strategies, and asset management programs while partnering with Operations, Maintenance, OEMs, contractors, and corporate engineering to improve plant reliability and performance.
• Strong understanding of applicable safety, environmental, and regulatory requirements, including NERC standards where applicable, with a commitment to operational excellence, continuous improvement, and engineering team development.
• Must possess a valid, unrestricted U.S. driver’s license and ensure it remains in good standing at all times.

About NAES

NAES Corporation is a leading provider of operations, maintenance, and engineering services for energy facilities. We have built a reputation as a reliable partner for clients in North America and internationally, offering services across the power generation, oil and gas, and renewable energy sectors. Our growing family of companies allows us to address the entire life cycle of power generation and other industrial plants.

NAES is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace. We prioritize selecting employees based on merit and competence, seeking individuals of the highest quality, without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, disability, military status, or affiliation protected under USERRA, or any other form of discrimination prohibited by applicable local, state, and federal law.