Senior Mechanical Engineer
Position Overview
Omaha Public Power District (OPPD) delivers affordable, reliable, and environmentally responsible energy to the communities we serve. As a publicly owned utility, OPPD is committed to operational excellence, innovation, and ensuring long-term reliability and resilience across all generating assets.
As a Senior Mechanical Engineer, you will serve as a technical expert and provide high-level engineering leadership for OPPD¿s power generation facilities. You will establish engineering standards, lead multi-disciplinary efforts to improve system reliability, develop advanced technical solutions, and perform complex evaluations that shape the safety, performance, and economic viability of OPPD¿s generating fleet. This role requires independent technical judgment, broad engineering expertise, and the ability to guide teams and mentor developing engineers.
The Impact You'll Have
Independently execute comprehensive system health monitoring and develop corrective action plans that strengthen long-term equipment reliability
Assess present and future risks to safety, performance, and system reliability, providing expert technical recommendations
Perform advanced engineering analyses across diversified and complex assignments, applying broad and deep technical knowledge
Develop and maintain expert-level understanding of assigned systems, including design intent, operational modes, failure mechanisms, and performance standards
Lead complex troubleshooting efforts for highly challenging plant issues, guiding cross-functional teams to resolution
Apply project management principles to large, complex, or time-sensitive projects, ensuring high-quality execution
Ensure full adherence to applicable codes, standards, regulations, and internal procedures
Lead teams of engineers and craft personnel and provide mentorship, guidance, and technical development to early-career engineers
What You'll Bring
Bachelor of Science in Engineering
Professional Engineer (PE) license, or the ability to obtain reciprocity within six months
Minimum of five years of engineering experience (Master's degree may substitute for up to two years)
Demonstrated ability to perform complex engineering studies and present technical findings effectively
Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making abilities, using creativity and sound judgment
Excellent communication, presentation, and negotiation skills
Strong understanding of power plant system design, operations, maintenance, and system interactions
Ability to work collaboratively, demonstrate flexibility, and take ownership of assigned work
Understanding and application of relevant industry standards and construction codes (ASME, OSHA, NFPA, etc.)
Preferred Experiences
Experience with Ventyx (Asset Suite), Cognos, AutoDesk tools, Bentley MicroStation, PeopleSoft, or SharePoint
Master's degree in Engineering or Business
Advanced proficiency in MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook)
Hands-on experience in power plant engineering, operations, maintenance, or design
Experience with reliability-centered maintenance programs
Knowledge of energy markets and generating station operations
Project Management Professional (PMP) certification
Type of Work:
Non-Shift Work
Time Demands:
Essential Position: This position will be required to report to work when business continuity needs are emergent and may be required to work hours beyond an employee's normal shift.
This position must be available for overtime work and callouts as required to ensure continuance of efficient operation.
This position must maintain 24-hour availability for technical and professional assistance, emergency response, and direction of remedial action in response to such emergencies, as well as maintain availability as required for on-call duty.
Work Location:
Office: Work will be performed in a modern office environment amid normal conditions of dust, odors, fumes, and noises.
Field: Work will be performed outside in a wide variety of weather conditions (snow, rain, heat, cold, wind, etc.), terrain, and other natural environmental hazards as well as pollen and other airborne allergens.
Generation Plant: Work will be performed inside with exposure to industrial building conditions and will be exposed to extreme temperatures, odors, dust, gases, poor ventilation and exposure to sounds. Noise levels may require shouting to be heard.
Work Environment:
Work will be performed in high traffic environments.
Will work around energies high voltage electrical equipment.
Will work in construction areas that present many physical hazards.
Will work at heights.
Will work in closed or confined spaces.
Will work around asbestos and lead.
Physical Demands:
Minimal physical effort typically found in clerical work. Primarily sedentary, may occasionally lift and carry light objects. Walking and/or standing as needed and minimal.
Light to moderate physical effort that includes frequent standing or walking or maintaining arms and hands in the same position for repetitive tasks. Frequently works with light objects and light hand tools.
Moderate to considerable physical effort that includes working from ladders in awkward positions. Frequent use of light or medium weight objects (e.g., 25-50 lbs.) and use of medium weight tools.
Strenuous to extreme physical effort that includes frequent use of heavy objects (e.g., 50+ lbs.) and may also use heavy tools or require strenuous application in awkward positions.
Grade: S6
Minimum: $109,942
Midpoint: $137,428
At Omaha Public Power District, we're passionate about three things: power, the people who make it, and the people who rely on it.
WE ARE: Where the Light Starts. OPPD is the 12th largest public power utility in the U.S., serving over 850,000 people across 5,000 square miles and 13 counties.
WE ARE COMMITTED TO: Each other and the people we serve. This commitment drives us. We're dedicated to providing our communities with affordable, reliable, and environmentally sensitive energy services today, tomorrow, and well into the future.
OUR JOB: To provide power with a purpose. We have real impact - on people's lives, on the environment, and on the future of energy. We're always looking for bright, capable people who want an opportunity to lead from where you are -wherever you are - and know that your ideas will be heard. If you want to be a source of real, positive change for the community and the people who live in this region, then working for a company that is acknowledged for caring about these same things is likely a priority for you as well
EOE: Protected Veterans/Disability
Apply online at www.oppd.com on or before July 3.
Recruiter: Michael Fierro - mrfierro@oppd.com #LI-MF
