The Combustion Systems Manager is responsible for the engineering oversight, performance management, and operational optimization of combustion systems, ensuring seamless integration between fuel supply, air handling, and boiler systems. This role plays a critical part in maximizing combustion efficiency, reducing emissions, and ensuring safe and reliable boiler operation across thermal power generation units or industrial boilers.
The manager leads a team of engineers and collaborates with operations, instrumentation, control, and maintenance teams to fine-tune fuel-air ratios, burner performance, flame stability, and heat transfer efficiency.
Lead technical management of combustion systems, including fuel feeders, burners, fans, dampers, overfire air (OFA), and associated instrumentation.
Ensure proper fuel-air-boiler integration to achieve optimum combustion efficiency, minimal unburned carbon, and stable flame performance.
Monitor and fine-tune air-fuel ratios, oxygen levels, furnace temperatures, and emissions in coordination with control room and DCS engineers.
Implement combustion tuning programs during commissioning, load transitions, and post-maintenance startup.
Investigate and resolve combustion-related issues such as flame instability, slagging, fouling, corrosion, or incomplete combustion.
Collaborate with process control teams to ensure real-time integration and performance optimization through DCS, PLC, or advanced control systems.
Evaluate and recommend upgrades to burners, control dampers, combustion instrumentation, and fuel handling equipment.
Support regulatory compliance for air emissions (NOx, CO, SO₂, particulate matter) and drive continuous improvement initiatives to reduce environmental impact.
Manage technical interactions with OEMs, combustion system vendors, consultants, and emissions regulators.
Train operators and technical staff on combustion control principles, burner operation, and safety protocols.
Fuel-Air-Boiler System Optimization
Maximize heat transfer efficiency and boiler response by optimizing air distribution and fuel feed systems.
Combustion Efficiency & Emissions Control
Achieve high combustion efficiency and support compliance with environmental emission standards.
Instrumentation & Control Integration
Align combustion hardware with control logic and automation systems for reliable real-time performance.
Troubleshooting & RCA
Lead root cause analysis of combustion faults and implement corrective actions to prevent recurrence.
Operational Safety & Training
Promote safe operation of burners, ensure adherence to interlock systems, and train staff on safe startup/shutdown practices.
Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Power Engineering, or a related field; Master’s degree preferred.
10–15+ years of experience in combustion systems, preferably within thermal power plants or large industrial boilers.
Proven expertise in fuel combustion mechanisms, burner tuning, flue gas analysis, and heat transfer fundamentals.
Strong knowledge of pulverized coal, oil, gas, biomass, or mixed-fuel combustion systems.
Experience working with combustion control systems (DCS/PLC), flue gas analyzers, and performance monitoring software.
Familiarity with air pollution control systems (e.g., SCR, ESP, FGD) and emission reporting protocols.
Excellent problem-solving, leadership, and cross-functional coordination skills.
Boiler Operation Engineer (BOE)
Six Sigma / Lean for process optimization
Certified Energy Manager (CEM) – desirable
NEBOSH / OSHA / ISO 45001 Safety Certification
Emissions Management or Combustion Tuning Certification
Based in plant technical office or central engineering division, with regular site visits to boilers and combustion systems.
May require extended hours during outages, performance testing, or combustion tuning operations.