Apprentice Power Plant Operator Jobs in Washington

Chalk Point Generation Station, located in Aquasco, Maryland, is a significant contributor to the region’s power supply, with a total generating capacity of approximately 1,618 megawatts. The station features a diverse configuration that includes seven gas turbines and two steam turbines across nine units. This setup provides operational flexibility and reliability, allowing the facility to efficiently respond to changing energy demands throughout the Mid-Atlantic region.

Opportunity Summary

The Plant Engineer at Chalk Point Generation Station provides engineering support to optimize plant reliability, performance, and efficiency. This role monitors plant systems, leads root cause investigations, manages engineering and capital projects, supports electrical and control system reliability, and drives continuous improvement initiatives. Working closely with Operations, Maintenance, and Engineering teams, the Plant Engineer helps maximize plant availability while ensuring compliance with safety, environmental, and regulatory requirements.

Your scope of responsibility as Power Plant Engineer will include the following primary functions:

Plant Engineering & Reliability

• Monitor plant performance, including combustion turbines, steam turbines, and Heat Recovery Steam Generators (HRSG), analyzing heat rate, efficiency, and operating trends to improve plant performance and profitability.
• Investigate equipment failures, forced outages, and generation losses; perform root cause analyses and implement corrective actions to improve reliability and prevent recurrence.
• Support investigations of plant incidents, equipment issues, and abnormal operating conditions by developing technical analyses, recommendations, and follow-up plans.
• Perform condition monitoring using vibration analysis, thermography, oil analysis, and other predictive maintenance techniques to assess equipment health.
• Maintain and optimize instrumentation, measurement, electrical, and control systems, including protective relays, circuit breakers, transformers, switchgear, motor control centers (MCCs), Distributed Control Systems (DCS), and Programmable Logic Controllers (PLC).
• Collaborate with Operations and Maintenance to develop and implement equipment upgrades and engineering solutions that improve plant reliability, efficiency, and maintainability.
• Maintain engineering documentation, configuration control, and plant drawings to ensure accurate records and compliance with company standards.

Projects & Continuous Improvement

• Lead reliability studies, engineering evaluations, and capital improvement projects that increase plant availability, reduce operating costs, and improve long-term equipment performance.
• Develop scopes of work, manage engineering contracts, coordinate contractors and OEMs, and oversee project execution to ensure quality, schedule, and budget objectives are achieved.
• Review plant systems and design modifications, recommending cost-effective improvements that enhance operational performance and reliability.

Compliance & Safety

• Support compliance with NERC reliability standards, environmental permits, and applicable regulatory requirements through engineering documentation, reporting, and audit readiness activities.
• Promote and actively participate in NAES safety programs, ensuring engineering activities comply with all company policies and regulatory requirements.
• Coordinate with internal stakeholders, engineering firms, equipment manufacturers, and corporate engineering resources to resolve technical issues and support plant operations.
• Perform other duties and special projects as assigned in support of safe, reliable, and efficient 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. Employees must also adhere to all safety warnings and posted signs while on company property. Additionally, they are required to follow all NAES safety rules and procedures. Adherence to these safety responsibilities is one of the key factors in the evaluation of each employee’s performance.

Working Relationships

The Plant Engineer reports to the Maintenance Manager and partners with plant management, NAES Corporate Engineering Support Services, and Operations to support daily plant operations and environmental permitting activities.

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 Engineer works a standard Monday to Friday day shift schedule. This position will require extended hours, flexible shifts, weekends, holidays, and on-call availability as needed to support plant operations and business needs.

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 $145,000 to $175,000 and includes eligibility for an annual performance bonus.

Professional Expertise & Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering required; Electrical Engineering preferred. Mechanical, Power Generation, or other closely related engineering degrees will also be considered.
• Demonstrated engineering experience supporting power plant operations, maintenance, or reliability in a utility or heavy industrial environment.
• Demonstrated expertise in monitoring plant performance, investigating equipment failures, and performing root cause analyses to improve reliability and availability.
• Comprehensive understanding of electrical, instrumentation, and control systems, including DCS, PLCs, protective relays, transformers, switchgear, and motor control centers.

• Working knowledge of predictive and condition monitoring techniques, including vibration analysis, thermography, and oil analysis.

• Proven ability to lead engineering studies, capital projects, and contractor activities from planning through execution.

• Familiarity with plant performance monitoring and data systems, including OSIsoft PI and CEMS/DAHS; experience is preferred.

• Working knowledge of environmental regulations, NERC reliability standards, and industrial safety requirements applicable to power generation facilities.
• Strong analytical, technical writing, communication, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to present recommendations and technical information effectively.
• 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 serve clients across the power generation, oil and gas, and renewable energy sectors throughout North America and internationally, supporting the full life cycle of power generation and other industrial facilities.

NAES is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace. Employment decisions are based on merit and qualifications, without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, disability, military status, USERRA-protected status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.