Job Description

Power Plant Cycle Performance Engineer

Position Overview

A Houston engineering and construction firm is adding a Power Plant Cycle Performance Engineer to its power practice. This position focuses on how generating facilities behave under real operating conditions—not merely how they perform at a single design point.

The engineer will use thermodynamic modeling, operating data, and field-test results to improve output, heat rate, flexibility, and lifecycle value across simple-cycle and combined-cycle plants. The role also supports new facility development, equipment selection, modernization studies, and performance validation.

Core Responsibilities

• Create and refine thermodynamic models for gas-turbine and combined-cycle configurations.
• Predict plant performance across changes in ambient temperature, humidity, elevation, fuel composition, equipment condition, and operating load.
• Quantify expected output, heat rate, auxiliary consumption, steam production, cooling demand, and other key performance indicators.
• Compare plant data with model predictions to identify degradation, losses, or operating constraints.
• Analyze historian, DCS, SCADA, and performance-test data using sound engineering and statistical methods.
• Evaluate cycle alternatives during feasibility studies, technology selection, and front-end engineering.
• Assess opportunities involving turbine upgrades, HRSG modifications, inlet conditioning, condenser improvements, cooling-system changes, and balance-of-plant optimization.
• Examine the effect of cycling, rapid starts, part-load operation, and changing dispatch requirements on plant performance.
• Support the technical evaluation of generation equipment and performance guarantees.
• Develop test procedures and assist with field testing under applicable ASME Performance Test Codes.
• Correct test results to agreed reference conditions and document whether contractual requirements have been met.
• Reconcile discrepancies among supplier predictions, engineering models, and observed plant results.
• Present findings in a form that supports investment, design, operating, and commercial decisions.
• Partner with mechanical, electrical, controls, commissioning, operations, and OEM teams.
• Contribute to hybrid-generation studies involving energy storage or other grid-supporting technologies.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Energy Engineering, or a closely related discipline.
• Seven or more years of experience in cycle analysis, plant performance, thermal engineering, or power-generation engineering.
• Advanced understanding of thermodynamics, heat transfer, gas-turbine performance, steam cycles, and combined-cycle integration.
• Experience developing or applying detailed plant-performance models.
• Ability to interpret operating data and convert analysis into clear engineering recommendations.
• Strong technical writing and communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Extensive use of GT PRO, Thermoflow, EBSILON, Aspen, or an equivalent modeling platform.
• Experience planning, executing, or analyzing contractual plant-performance tests.
• Knowledge of digital twins, predictive analytics, optimization algorithms, or machine-learning applications for industrial assets.
• Familiarity with flexible generation, energy storage, or grid-support services.
• Professional Engineer license.
• Previous work within an EPC, owner’s engineering, OEM, or power-plant operating organization.

Ideal Candidate Profile

The ideal candidate is naturally skeptical of unexplained performance gaps, comfortable working with imperfect field data, and able to distinguish a model limitation from a genuine equipment or operating problem.