Geothermal Power Plant Facility Engineer

Essential Responsibilities and Duties

The following outlines the essential duties and proficiency requirements of each component for this position; however, this list is not exhaustive, and the items within each component may not be presented in any specific order of importance.

Initial Component – Design Phase and Bring Plant Online

Collaborate with an integrated asset management team to design a geothermal power plant that maximizes electrical power generation. Work closely with cross-functional teams, including engineers and environmental specialists, to develop innovative designs and technologies for the power plant itself. This collaborative effort emphasizes creating efficient systems and processes within the plant to optimize power generation while considering environmental impacts and sustainability. By utilizing advanced engineering techniques, the design will aim to effectively harness geothermal energy for maximum output.

Lead the design and engineering of geothermal surface facilities, including:

• Steam and/or Organic Rankine Cycle turbines – Oversee the specification and design of turbines that convert thermal energy into mechanical energy, selecting the appropriate turbine technology based on resource characteristics and desired efficiency, and ensuring the design aligns with regulatory standards and operational requirements.
• Well pad piping and injection systems – Design the infrastructure for transporting geothermal fluids from the wells to the power plant and back, including flow modeling to optimize fluid dynamics, selecting materials resistant to corrosion and extreme temperatures, and implementing safety measures for handling potentially hazardous fluids.
• Steam and brine pipelines, two-phase gathering systems, separation and flashing systems – Develop systems that efficiently transport steam and brine from the geothermal wells to the power generation unit, including separation systems to extract vapor from liquid and flashing systems that utilize pressure changes to enhance efficiency and minimize losses.
• Pumping and heat exchange systems – Engineer systems designed for optimal heat transfer between geothermal fluids and working fluids in power cycles, selecting appropriate pump types and heat exchangers that operate over a range of temperatures and pressures to maximize thermal efficiency while maintaining system reliability and longevity.

Develop design calculations and equipment specifications. Perform rigorous calculations to determine the specifications needed for each component of the geothermal plant, including thermal load calculations, pressure drop analysis, and efficiency assessments. Detailed specifications will guide procurement processes and installation, ensuring that all equipment meets operational standards and project requirements.

Support design reviews and constructability assessments. Participate in formal design review processes to assess the functionality, safety, and efficiency of designs, identifying potential issues early. Conduct constructability assessments to evaluate how easily and safely designs can be implemented in the field, considering factors such as material availability, labor skills, and site conditions.

Support equipment selection and vendor technical evaluations. Assist in identifying and evaluating potential vendors for critical equipment and systems, ensuring that selected technologies meet the project’s technical needs as well as budget constraints, and analyzing vendor responses to requests for quote (RFQs) for compliance with technical and performance specifications.

Assist with cost estimation, material take-offs, and schedule development. Aid in preparing accurate cost estimates by analyzing project scope and resource requirements, identifying potential cost-saving measures without compromising quality. Conduct material take-offs to quantify the necessary materials for construction phases, and collaborate with project schedulers to develop realistic timelines that align project milestones with resource availability and budget constraints.

Second Component – Ongoing Plant Operations Phase

• Lead design reviews, modifications, and upgrades to surface facilities, including well gathering systems, brine handling, steam separation, power generation equipment, and transmission interconnections.
• Monitor daily plant performance metrics (output, efficiency, availability, heat rate) using data tracking tools such as SCADA, PI data systems, or other analytical tools; identify deviations and implement corrective actions.
• Develop and execute preventive, predictive, and corrective maintenance programs for mechanical, piping, and process equipment to minimize unplanned downtime.
• Troubleshoot operational issues related to geothermal fluids (corrosion, mineral scaling, gas handling, two-phase flow) and recommend engineering solutions or chemical treatments.
• Coordinate with reservoir, production, and drilling teams to optimize wellfield-to-plant integration and respond to changes in resource delivery.
• Collaborate with vendors, contractors, and cross-functional teams (electrical, controls, environmental) to support plant goals.
• Participate in 24/7 on-call rotation for critical operational support as required.

Minimum Qualifications

Education, Certifications, and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering, civil engineering, geothermal engineering, environmental engineering, or a related field. A master’s degree is preferred.
• Ten (10) plus years of relevant engineering experience in power plant operations, maintenance, or facility engineering.
• Direct experience in engineering and designing geothermal power plants strongly preferred; relevant experience in combined-cycle, steam, or binary-cycle plants, oil & gas processing, or industrial fluid systems will be considered.
• Professional Engineer (PE) license or ability to obtain, a plus.
• Must have experience with binary ORC (Organic Rankine Cycle) or flash steam geothermal plants.
• Knowledge of predictive maintenance techniques (vibration analysis, thermography, oil analysis).
• Previous work in a multidisciplinary team environment that includes collaboration with geologists, drilling engineers, and environmental specialists.

Technical Skills

• Strong knowledge of thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, heat transfer, and process engineering.
• Familiarity with geothermal-specific challenges (scaling, corrosion, NCG management, two-phase flow).
• Proficiency in plant monitoring tools (PI System, SCADA), CMMS (e.g., Maximo), and engineering software (AutoCAD, Aspen, or similar).
• Understanding of ASME, API, ANSI codes relevant to piping, pressure vessels, and power equipment.

Skills for Success

The following hard and soft skills will be noticeably present in the person that successfully performs this role.

Hard Skills

• Engineering software proficiency
• Geothermal systems knowledge
• Mechanical design skills
• Fluid dynamics and thermodynamics
• Data analysis and interpretation
• Project management
• Regulatory compliance
• Technical documentation

Soft Skills

• Excellent, effective verbal and written communication skills
• Team collaboration with multidisciplinary teams
• Troubleshooting and problem-solving skills
• Strong analytical skills and a creative approach to developing solutions
• Adaptability to change and openness to new approaches and innovation
• Conceptual, critical thinking skills such as big-picture and forward thinking
• Project management and organization
• Leadership and influence
• Attention to detail
• Ethical judgement

Physical and Other Requirements

• Must be able to pass drug and alcohol test (pre-employment and random) and criminal background check.
• Must be able to sit or stand for extended periods of time while working on a computer and viewing a computer monitor.
• Must be able to occasionally lift or carry items or materials, with assistance if needed, up to 50 lbs.
• Must be fluent in English, both written and verbal.
• Must be able to work in an outdoor environment, sometimes in harsh, remote, and/or rugged conditions.
• Must be able to travel in airplane, motor vehicles, or all-terrain vehicles.
• Some overnight travel will be required from time to time.
• Ability to occasionally work extended hours if needed, including weekends, nights, and holidays as necessary.