The Director of Mechanical Systems – Power Plant Turbines is responsible for providing strategic leadership, technical direction, and operational oversight for all mechanical systems associated with gas and steam turbines in a power generation environment. This includes ensuring optimal performance, reliability, and lifecycle management of turbine-generating units, auxiliary systems, and major mechanical assets. The ideal candidate brings deep technical knowledge of turbine systems, proven leadership in mechanical engineering teams, and strong experience in long-term asset integrity planning, outage management, and OEM/vendor interfacing.
Lead the development and execution of engineering strategies for gas and steam turbines, turbine auxiliaries (lube oil, seal oil, hydraulic systems), generators, and critical rotating equipment.
Establish and maintain technical standards, design guidelines, and engineering procedures for turbine performance and reliability.
Ensure compliance with ASME, IEEE, OEM recommendations, and regulatory codes.
Oversee the health and lifecycle planning for all turbine-generating equipment, including upgrade paths, re-rating assessments, and decommissioning strategies.
Implement programs for condition-based monitoring (CBM), reliability-centered maintenance (RCM), and predictive diagnostics (vibration, thermal, oil analysis).
Direct major overhaul and retrofit programs, including budget and scope planning, OEM negotiations, and contract execution.
Manage a multidisciplinary team of mechanical engineers, rotating equipment specialists, turbine engineers, and technical advisors.
Provide expert guidance on system troubleshooting, failure analysis, and root cause investigations.
Lead technical evaluations for design modifications, mechanical upgrades, or replacement decisions.
Analyze turbine performance trends, efficiency degradation, emissions impact, and mechanical losses.
Own the risk assessment process for mechanical systems and develop mitigation strategies for critical turbine components.
Support availability improvement programs and reduce forced outage rates.
Participate in capital projects related to new turbine installations, repowering, or system modifications.
Review and approve mechanical engineering deliverables, technical specifications, and supplier proposals.
Serve as the lead reviewer for turbine package design and mechanical integration in EPC or major upgrade projects.
Act as the primary technical liaison with OEMs such as GE, Siemens, Mitsubishi, and Alstom for performance contracts, technical support, and long-term service agreements (LTSAs).
Lead contract negotiations and dispute resolution with OEMs and third-party service providers during outages or major repairs.
Develop and present turbine condition reports, strategic investment plans, and performance dashboards to senior leadership.
Contribute to long-range planning, operational budgeting, and capital planning for turbine fleet enhancements.
Education:
Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering (Master’s degree preferred)
MBA or PMP is a plus
Experience:
15+ years of progressive mechanical engineering experience in power generation
At least 7–10 years of leadership in turbine systems (steam, gas, or combined cycle)
Demonstrated success in leading turbine overhauls, upgrades, and asset integrity programs
Certifications (Preferred):
Registered Professional Engineer (PE)
Certified Maintenance & Reliability Professional (CMRP)
OEM-specific certifications (e.g., GE LMS100, Siemens SGT, Mitsubishi M501)
In-depth understanding of gas and steam turbine principles, balance of plant (BOP) mechanical systems, and auxiliary component engineering
Familiarity with ASME PTC codes, API standards for rotating equipment, and vibration/thermal analysis techniques
Proficient in turbine performance software, CMMS (SAP PM/Maximo), and engineering tools (AutoCAD, ANSYS, PI Historian)
Strong leadership and decision-making under pressure
Executive-level communication and presentation capabilities
Cross-functional collaboration with operations, finance, and regulatory teams
Strategic mindset with ability to balance long-term vision and short-term priorities
Based at a central plant, regional technical center, or corporate headquarters
Field travel required for turbine outages, inspections, and project oversight
Must be available during critical equipment failures, outages, or emergencies