Vice President of Engineering (Mechanical Systems/Power Plants)

The VP of Engineering – Mechanical Systems provides strategic leadership for all mechanical engineering activities across the organization’s power generation assets. This executive role is accountable for the design, optimization, and lifecycle management of mechanical systems—turbines, piping, boilers, auxiliaries—and for driving engineering excellence, innovation, and compliance with industry standards.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Strategic Engineering Leadership

   • Define and implement the mechanical engineering vision and roadmap for existing and new power plant projects (thermal, combined-cycle, renewable hybrids).

   • Align engineering strategies with corporate goals for performance, reliability, and sustainability.

2. Design & Specification Oversight

   • Ensure mechanical designs meet or exceed performance targets, safety regulations, and cost benchmarks.

   • Approve major equipment specifications (turbines, heat-recovery steam generators, pumps, compressors, piping, pressure vessels).

3. Project Execution & Governance

   • Oversee engineering deliverables for EPC contracts, in-house projects, and plant expansions.

   • Establish engineering governance: design reviews, risk assessments, Management of Change (MoC).

4. Reliability & Optimization

   • Lead continuous improvement in heat rate, emissions control, and equipment uptime through design enhancements and retrofits.

   • Integrate advanced technologies (digital twins, AI-driven diagnostics, advanced materials) to extend asset life.

5. Standards & Compliance

   • Ensure all mechanical systems comply with ASME, ANSI, API, ISO, and local regulatory codes.

   • Maintain corporate engineering standards, best-practice libraries, and technical documentation.

6. Cross-Functional Collaboration

   • Partner with Operations, Maintenance, Projects, HSE, and Finance to balance performance, cost, and risk.

   • Serve as the engineering lead in steering-committee and executive-level forums.

7. Team Development & Talent Management

   • Build, mentor, and retain a high-performance engineering organization (senior engineers, discipline leads, technical specialists).

   • Implement career development, competency frameworks, and knowledge-sharing programs.

8. Budget & Resource Planning

   • Develop engineering department budgets, staffing plans, and capital requirements for upgrades and new builds.

   • Optimize utilization of internal teams and external consultancy resources.

Key Focus Areas:

⚙️ Mechanical System Integrity & Performance

• Drive design excellence in turbines, heat-recovery units, piping networks, and balance-of-plant systems to maximize reliability and efficiency.

🚀 Innovation & Technology Integration

• Champion adoption of cutting-edge engineering tools: CFD/FEA, digital twin platforms, additive manufacturing, and advanced control strategies.

🔄 Lifecycle Management & Upgrades

• Oversee long-term asset management plans, including major overhauls, uprates, repowering, and emission-reduction retrofits.

🛡️ Regulatory Compliance & Risk Management

• Ensure robust engineering controls for safety, environmental compliance, and Management of Change in all mechanical modifications.

👥 Leadership & Organizational Excellence

• Cultivate a culture of technical rigor, continuous learning, and cross-discipline collaboration to meet evolving industry challenges.

Qualifications:

• Education: Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering (Power/Plant specialization preferred); MBA or Executive Education a plus

• Experience: 15+ years in power plant mechanical engineering, including 5+ years in senior/executive leadership roles

• Certifications: PE (Professional Engineer), PMP, or specialty certifications (ASME, API, ISO 55000) desirable

• Sector Background: Utilities, Independent Power Producers (IPPs), EPC contractors, or large industrial energy users

Skills & Competencies:

• Deep expertise in steam/gas turbine systems, boilers, HRSGs, and balance-of-plant equipment

• Proven track record in large-scale project delivery, engineering governance, and capital program management

• Strategic thinker with strong financial acumen and P&L awareness

• Excellent communicator and influencer at executive, engineering, and field levels

• Familiarity with engineering software (e.g., PDMS/E3D, AspenTech, ANSYS, PDS) and digital maintenance platforms (CMMS, APM)

Working Conditions:

• Primarily office-based with regular site visits to power plants or project locations

• May require travel (domestic/international) for project oversight, vendor negotiations, and industry forums

• Involvement in critical incident response and emergency planning as needed