Turbine Performance Engineer

The Junior Turbine Performance Engineer is responsible for supporting the analysis, reporting, and monitoring of gas and steam turbine performance, focusing on efficiency, output, heat rate, and degradation trends. This role contributes to ensuring that equipment operates within design parameters and supports optimization and root-cause analysis efforts.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Performance Data Collection & Analysis

• Monitor and collect operational data (temperature, pressure, vibration, fuel consumption, load).

• Analyze trends related to output degradation, heat rate, emissions, and efficiency.

• Support daily/weekly/monthly performance reporting for plant or fleet-level assets.

2. Operational Support

• Assist in real-time performance evaluations during start-up, shutdown, and load transitions.

• Provide support to senior engineers during performance tests and reliability assessments.

• Identify early signs of mechanical or thermodynamic issues from data patterns.

3. Software Tools & Models

• Use tools like PI System, Excel, OEM digital twins, or performance monitoring software.

• Assist in model validation by comparing actual performance vs. design curves or OEM baselines.

4. Coordination with O&M Teams

• Coordinate with operations and maintenance teams for performance-related insights.

• Contribute to outage planning by providing performance degradation insights.

5. Documentation & Reporting

• Maintain and update performance logs, deviation reports, and KPIs.

• Prepare inputs for dashboards and management review presentations.

Key Focus Areas:

• Turbine Types:

  • Gas turbines (GE Frame, LM series, Siemens SGT, Mitsubishi, Solar, etc.)

  • Steam turbines (condensing, back-pressure)

  • Combined Cycle configurations (HRSG interface and integration performance)

• Key Metrics & Focus Areas:

  • Output (MW), Heat Rate (kJ/kWh), Efficiency (%), Fuel Flow

  • Emissions (NOx, CO), Compressor fouling indicators, Exhaust temperature spread

  • Operational reliability indicators: trip rates, run hours, starts/stops

• Systems & Tools:

  • Data historians (OSIsoft PI, Honeywell PHD)

  • MS Excel (advanced), Python (basic scripting optional), OEM monitoring tools (GE APM, Siemens Omnivise, etc.)

  • Thermodynamic models (Psyche, GateCycle, Thermoflow – exposure preferred)

Qualifications & Skills:

• Education:

  • Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical / Aerospace / Energy / Power Engineering

• Experience:

  • 0–3 years in turbine operations, plant performance, or rotating equipment engineering (internships count)

• Technical Skills:

  • Understanding of Brayton and Rankine cycles

  • Familiarity with turbine operating curves and performance KPIs

  • Strong Excel and data handling skills; basic exposure to modeling tools or coding is a plus

• Soft Skills:

  • Analytical mindset and attention to detail

  • Good communication skills for cross-functional teamwork

  • Willingness to learn and grow in a data-intensive technical environment