Predictive Maintenance (PdM) Reliability Engineer

The APEX Power Co. Project in Hubbard, TX, currently under Phase 1 construction, is expected to expand to 1.6 GW. It features a diverse mix of generation technologies, including Siemens SGT-800/400 simple cycle turbines, MAN/Everllence 18V51/60G gas reciprocating engines, GE LM6000/LM2500 simple cycle turbines, Pratt & Whitney FT8 simple cycle turbines, and a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS), enabling flexible, reliable power output. Future expansion may include additional GE aero and large frame units (6B, 7FA/7FB/7H) in simple or combined cycle configurations, allowing the plant to efficiently meet varying energy demands while supporting data center grid reliability.

Opportunity Summary

The Predictive Maintenance (PdM) Reliability Engineer ensures the safe, reliable, and efficient operation of the APEX Power Co. Project across pre-commissioning and operations. During pre-commissioning, the role leads system readiness by verifying equipment installation, validating DCS/PLC functionality, commissioning condition monitoring systems, and establishing baseline asset health profiles for startup readiness. During operations, the engineer monitors equipment performance and condition monitoring data to drive reliability improvements. The role leads predictive maintenance (PdM), Reliability-Centered Maintenance (RCM), and root cause analysis (RCA) to optimize maintenance strategies, reduce outages, and improve performance across turbines, engines, and Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS).

As PdM Reliability Engineer, your responsibilities specific to the Pre-Commissioning Phase include the following functions:

• Lead cross-functional pre-commissioning readiness efforts, ensuring all mechanical, electrical, and control systems are installed, inspected, tested, and verified for safe and reliable startup.
• Verify installation quality and design conformance of turbines, engines, BESS, and balance-of-plant systems, ensuring all equipment meets commissioning acceptance criteria and reliability design intent prior to energization.
• Oversee calibration, loop checks, and functional validation of critical instrumentation and monitoring devices to confirm accuracy and readiness for startup data acquisition and control.
• Direct validation and functional testing of DCS/PLC logic, alarms, interlocks, and historian point mapping to ensure systems perform as intended under simulated and pre-startup conditions.
• Establish initial baseline equipment health conditions using PdM technologies (vibration, thermography, oil analysis, and electrical diagnostics) to define “as-commissioned” reference states prior to operation.
• Manage installation, configuration, and commissioning of condition monitoring systems, ensuring all sensors, communication paths, and data acquisition platforms are fully operational before startup.
• Lead identification, documentation, and resolution of pre-commissioning and startup anomalies using structured root cause methods, eliminating defects prior to turnover to operations.
• Develop and populate reliability and asset management foundations—including FMEA/FMECA inputs, asset hierarchies, and CMMS/EAM data—ensuring completeness and accuracy for operational handover.

Your scope of responsibility as Reliability Plant Engineer includes the following primary functions:

• Monitor plant equipment performance, including turbines, engines, and BESS, analyzing operational trends, condition monitoring data, efficiency, and heat rates to support optimal output and long-term reliability during commercial operations.
• Lead and support Reliability-Centered Maintenance (RCM), FMEA/FMECA, and asset criticality analyses to optimize existing maintenance strategies and improve in-service asset performance.
• Generate and analyze performance reports, KPIs, and reliability metrics (e.g., MTBF, MTTR, forced outage rates), identifying operational deviations and recommending corrective measures.
• Track and investigate forced outages, generation losses, and in-service operational incidents, performing root cause analyses (RCA) and implementing corrective and preventive actions (CAPA).
• Assist in investigating plant problems, incidents, and unusual operating events, providing detailed reliability and failure analyses, recommendations, and follow-up plans.
• Evaluate, troubleshoot, and optimize control systems, including DCS, PLCs, and instrumentation, focusing on improving performance, reliability, and data quality during ongoing operations.
• Manage and continuously improve established condition monitoring and predictive maintenance (PdM) programs, including vibration analysis, thermography, oil analysis, and electrical diagnostics.
• Analyze condition monitoring and operational data to identify degradation trends, failure precursors, and “bad actor” equipment, and implement reliability improvement actions.
• Provide engineering support to maintenance and operations teams, coordinating resources, recommending solutions, and resolving technical and reliability-related issues during plant operation.
• Support scheduled maintenance and outage planning, integrating asset condition data, reliability insights, and risk-based prioritization into execution scopes.
• Review operating plant performance, system modifications, and maintenance practices, recommending engineering and reliability improvements to reduce lifecycle costs and improve efficiency.
• Coordinate with vendors, contractors, and manufacturers for technical support, equipment maintenance, failure analysis, and reliability enhancements on in-service assets.
• Administer engineering and reliability programs including Configuration Control, FRACAS, reliability tracking systems, and capital improvement initiatives for operating facilities.
• Maintain and update plant documentation, including procedures, work practices, as-built drawings, reliability records, and operational reports to reflect current plant configuration.
• Participate in safety, regulatory, and environmental compliance programs, ensuring engineering and reliability considerations are integrated into ongoing operational practices and risk management activities.

Perform other duties as assigned to support safe, reliable, and compliant plant operations.

NAES Safe

Safety is a core value at NAES, and as a condition of employment, all employees are expected to remain mentally alert and work safely at all times. Employees must also adhere to all safety warnings and posted signs while on company property. Additionally, they are required to follow all NAES safety rules and procedures. Adherence to these safety responsibilities is one of the key factors in the evaluation of each employee’s performance.

Working Relationships

The PdM Reliability Engineer reports directly to the Plant Manager and collaborates closely with the Operations, Maintenance, Environmental, Safety, and Administrative Managers to support the daily operation of the plant. This role also maintains a strong working relationship with NAES Corporate Engineering Support Services and provides guidance to operations and maintenance personnel on regulatory and compliance matters.

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions

Physical requirements include standing for extended periods of time, climbing stairs and ladders, working from elevated platforms and walkways at varying heights, and routinely lifting up to 50 pounds.

Power plant environment that may involve entering confined spaces, crawling through narrow areas, and handling hazardous materials, with exposure to fumes, extreme temperatures, and noise. Work may include high heat near equipment and varying outdoor weather conditions.

Some duties may require the use of protective equipment, which can include hard hats, safety glasses, and eye protection, air masks/respirators, ear protection, chemical suits, flame-resistant clothing (FRC), hot gloves, high-voltage protective gear, and fall protection. Fit testing for respirators may be required. Strict smoking restrictions apply in and around the facility.

Fitness for Duty

All personnel will participate in the Fitness for Duty Program, which includes a post-offer physical examination, drug screening, and post-employment random drug screening.

Work Schedule

The PdM Reliability Engineer works a standard Monday to Friday day shift schedule, ensuring consistent plant operation and support during regular business hours.

This position will occasionally necessitate extended working hours and flexible shifts as needed, including weekends and holidays, in response to schedules, workload demands, and plant conditions. Periodic callouts or “On call” status may also be required.

Some travel may be involved to participate in Manager, Owner, User Group, or other offsite meetings.

Compensation

This position offers an annual base salary ranging from $141,000 to $179,300 and includes eligibility for an annual performance bonus.

Professional Expertise & Qualifications

We are seeking an Engineer with a strong focus on excellence in plant operations and maintenance, demonstrated growth in responsibilities, and experience in a power generation environment.

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical, Mechanical, or Chemical Engineering, or a closely related field, is required. Equivalent industry experience in power generation, engineering, or military service may be considered in lieu of formal education.
• Extensive experience as a Plant Engineer with exposure to reliability engineering functions, including root cause analysis (RCA), predictive maintenance (PdM), and condition monitoring to support equipment performance and operational reliability.
• Working knowledge of reliability engineering principles, including failure analysis, RCA methodologies, and condition-based maintenance practices applied within power generation or heavy industrial environments.
• Practical understanding of power generation systems, including turbines, reciprocating engines, and Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS), with exposure to operational and commissioning environments.
• Familiarity with plant operations and maintenance practices, with the ability to support reliability improvement initiatives and contribute to performance optimization efforts.
• Experience supporting root cause analysis (RCA) activities, including documentation of equipment issues, structured problem-solving, and contribution to corrective and preventive actions (CAPA).
• Understanding of regulatory and compliance frameworks, including NERC standards, environmental requirements, and plant safety programs, and their application in operational settings.
• Foundational knowledge of control systems and instrumentation, including DCS/PLC systems, with ability to support troubleshooting, validation, and reliability-related diagnostics.
• Working knowledge of predictive maintenance (PdM) and condition monitoring techniques, including vibration analysis, thermography, and oil analysis, applied in a plant environment to support equipment reliability.
• Experience with operational data systems and performance analytics tools (e.g., OSIsoft PI or similar), supporting data collection, trending, reporting, and identification of early reliability indicators.
• Must possess a valid, unrestricted U.S. driver’s license and ensure it remains in good standing at all times.

About NAES

NAES Corporation is a leading provider of operations, maintenance, and engineering services for energy facilities. We have built a reputation as a reliable partner for clients in North America and internationally, offering services across the power generation, oil and gas, and renewable energy sectors. Our growing family of companies allows us to address the entire life cycle of power generation and other industrial plants.

NAES is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace. We prioritize selecting employees based on merit and competence, seeking individuals of the highest quality, without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, disability, military status, or affiliation protected under USERRA, or any other form of discrimination prohibited by applicable local, state, and federal law.