Combustion Engineer

Combustion Engineer

Babcock & Wilcox

Akron, OH • On-site

Other

Posted 26 days ago


Babcock & Wilcox rating

8.7

Company rating: 8.7 out of 10

Based on 14 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

41st of 415 rated machine equipment manufacturers


Job description

The Combustion SME Advisory Engineer for the Global Engineering group functions as a technical specialist within the engineering department.  The individual provides technical and strategic input to all levels of the company.  The SME function supports the execution of commercial proposals and contracts related to solid and gaseous fuel combustion in boilers, incinerators and process equipment. The SME will also lead continued development related to B&W’s world-class ClimateBright™ decarbonization technologies for combustion of non-carbon fuels. B&W works with utilities to provide reliable, clean energy to the public, and with industrial clients to reduce the environmental impact of power and steam generation processes. 

The Combustion SME Advisory Engineer will have process engineering and combustion experience with multiple solid and gaseous fuels fired in industrial and utility scale boilers or in similar industrial combustion processes.  Must have familiarity with multiple burner combustion principles, emissions predictions knowledge, mechanical burner equipment knowledge and the ability to properly size and select combustion technologies.

  • Serve as the combustion technical specialist for the organization in the application of advanced concepts, principles, and methods in world-class technologies for energy conversion of fossil fuels, renewable energy and clean power as well as world-class technologies for environmental emissions controls
  • Lead commercial and R&D projects and/or small teams, with the selection of proper combustion technologies to achieve project goals while meeting safety standards and emission targets. 
  • Manage projects with R&D funding aimed at developing or testing experimentally next generation combustion technologies.
  • Present and/or review designs in team and/or management review meetings
  • Keep informed of new developments and requirements affecting the organization for the purpose of recommending changes in programs or applications.
  • Interpret, organize, execute, and coordinate assignments related to B&W ClimateBright™ portfolio with experience in the specific areas of combustion of non-carbon fuels.
  • Plan, schedule, and/or coordinate the preparation of drawings and documents or activities for multiple major projects working within company standards and industry regulations to design economical, safe and efficient offerings.
  • Plan to both mentor and guide other engineers.
  • Review procedures to ensure compliance with applicable policies and performance measures. Author and modify new and existing company design standards utilized by the engineering teams.
  • Provide support to resolve complex technical issues and combustion tuning or testing. This support may be on site or from the office.
  • Review P&ID’s related to combustion equipment and make recommendations on system design.
  • Author complex technical reports.
  • Routinely interact with external customers, A/Es, vendors, and/or sublet engineers and sublet manufacturers.
  • Lead project meetings and makes presentations as required.
  • Represent the organization and maintains liaison with individuals and related organizations.
  • Perform all other duties as assigned.
  • Comply with B&W and customer safety protocols.
  • Total travel averages <10% but does require some infrequent site visits that can be in the duration of 1-2 weeks.
  • Bachelor’s degree in Chemical or Mechanical Engineering from an ABET/EAC accredited program required.
  • 8 years minimum of combined post-graduate academic or professional (design and/or field) experience in combustion technologies required.
  • M.S. in Chemical or Mechanical Engineering from an ABET accredited U.S. university and/or previous field on-site experience is preferred
  • Must have a broad background in fuels, emissions (such as control of NOx, CO, VOC’s, unburned carbon and particulates), combustion equipment (burners, ports and material selections), and boiler operations.  Because of the diversity of our equipment portfolio, this position requires an understanding of single burner applications, wall fired and tangential fired large boiler combustion practices and equipment, tuning experience, equipment sizing and emissions predictions. Both in-house developed custom programs and tools as well as commercially available modeling tools will be utilized. Experience with commercially available combustion modeling tools is desirable.
  • Must have a strong familiarity with EPA test methods for emissions, and/or international equivalent testing codes.
  • Proven ability to multi-task on project assignments, manage daily tasks, and prioritize work to complete within deadlines.
  • Strong team player and able to coordinate with cross functional teams such as Engineering, Production, Field Service, Customer Service, Licensing, Marketing, and Sales.
  • Ability to drive changes as required
  • Ability to work in a fast-paced environment for customer support
  • A demonstrated ability to quickly grasp new technology concepts and conduct critical evaluations for technical and economic viability using state-of-the-art tools is crucial to this role.
  • The ability to adapt to a dynamic work environment with variable technical focus, project demands, and daily activities is also desirable.
  • Outstanding oral and written communications skills and a desire to work among interdisciplinary teams are vital traits, as is an easy and personable demeanor; your successes will be shared and will rely on teamwork

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Frequently asked questions

Q: What skills or qualities help someone succeed as a Combustion Engineer?

A: To succeed as a Combustion Engineer, key technical skills include proficiency in thermodynamics, heat transfer, and fluid dynamics, as well as expertise in combustion theory, fuel systems, and emissions control. Soft skills such as strong problem-solving, analytical thinking, and effective communication are also crucial, as Combustion Engineers must collaborate with cross-functional teams and interpret complex data to optimize combustion processes. By combining technical expertise with strong interpersonal and analytical skills, Combustion Engineers can drive process improvements, ensure operational efficiency, and contribute to the development of innovative solutions in their field.

Q: What is the career path for a Combustion Engineer?

A: A Combustion Engineer's typical career progression involves starting as a Junior Engineer or Design Engineer, where they develop and implement combustion systems for various industries, such as power generation, oil and gas, or chemical processing. As they gain experience, they can move into mid-level roles like Senior Engineer or Project Manager, overseeing complex projects and leading teams of engineers, and eventually, into senior roles like Technical Lead or Director of Engineering, where they drive innovation and strategy. Key opportunities for skill development include staying up-to-date with industry advancements, developing expertise in computational fluid dynamics and thermodynamics, and obtaining certifications like the Certified Combustion Engineer (CCE) or Professional Engineer (PE) license.



Babcock & Wilcox job posting for a Combustion Engineer in Akron, OH with a salary of $70,300 to $86,100 Annually with a map of Akron location.