Senior Power Plant Engineer

Calpine Corporation seeks a Senior Engineer to support safe, reliable, and efficient operation of its natural gas-fired and geothermal power fleet. In this role, you will lead engineering analyses, diagnostics, and optimization initiatives that enhance plant performance, support grid reliability, and advance Calpine's cleaner energy goals. Responsibilities include evaluating equipment health, conducting root cause analyses, modeling plant and system behavior, and recommending upgrades or operational changes. You will partner closely with operations, market, and sustainability teams, mentor junior engineers, and drive continuous improvement within a culture of safety, integrity, and accountability.

Responsibilities

• Lead design, analysis, and optimization of natural gas and geothermal generation assets
• Ensure safe, reliable, and efficient plant operations aligned with Calpine standards
• Use data-driven methods to diagnose equipment issues and improve performance
• Support grid reliability studies, system modeling, and capacity planning
• Collaborate with operations, market, and sustainability teams on engineering solutions
• Develop and implement continuous improvement and reliability programs
• Prepare technical reports, root-cause analyses, and recommendations for leadership
• Guide junior engineers and share best practices in plant and system engineering
• Support regulatory, environmental, and compliance-related engineering activities
• Participate in project planning, budgeting, and vendor/contractor technical reviews

Required Skills

• Power plant systems engineering (gas and/or geothermal)
• Thermodynamics and heat balance analysis
• Equipment reliability and root cause analysis (RCA)
• Power systems modeling and grid studies
• Data analytics and performance monitoring tools
• Engineering design software and CADFamiliarity with SCADA/DCS and plant control systems
• Project management and technical documentation
• Knowledge of NERC/FERC and environmental regulations
• Asset management and maintenance planning