TransAlta – Powering Generations

Reliably, affordably, safely and responsibly, TransAlta is helping meet the growing appetite for electrical power while minimizing the environmental impact of doing so. TransAlta is an international publicly traded generator and marketer of electricity and renewable power. We're investing in new ways to further cut emissions and we're regularly recognized for our sustainable approach to business, the environment and the communities we serve. We know that it’s the knowledge, skills and experience of our people that provides us with real power in the marketplace. Come see what we mean at

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We currently have a great job opportunity for a Senior Plant Engineer at our Centralia, WA power generation station. This role will provide operation and maintenance support; mechanical analysis and design services for the Centralia power generation facilities with a focus on rotating equipment. The main areas of equipment responsibility include providing sound technical guidance for rotating equipment including steam turbines, gas turbines, generators, pumps, motors, compressors and draft fans.

Responsibilities include:

• Provide engineering expertise in the design, application, operation, inspection and maintenance of plant systems and rotating equipment normally associated with a coal fired power plant and a gas fired combined cycle plant.
• Drive business operation excellence by application of engineering principles, practices and technical standards to achieve operational integrity and productivity.
• Provide detailed equipment/program performance measurement for evaluation of operational effectiveness and prioritization of capital deployment and plant resources.
• Support Root-cause Failure Analysis of key equipment/process failures.
• Maintain a high profile safety focus.
• Identify opportunities for plant productivity, reliability, safety, and environmental performance.
• Perform condition assessments of critical equipment to minimize downtime or unexpected forced outage using latest on line monitoring and predictive technologies such as vibration analysis, thermal scans, process control limits with excursion information.
• Provide technical direction into the development of preventative maintenance and inspection programs with specific scopes and frequencies followed by implementation and assessment of effectiveness.
• Optimize equipment performance and costs through improved maintenance operating procedures and design improvements following on site management of change standards.
• Provide input to production and maintenance annual plans, budgets as well as to capital replacement and upgrade projects in order to attain required future availability and reliability levels.
• Review designs of new proposed facilities or alterations to existing equipment to identify risks to performance that are inherent in the design concept using analytical tools such as HAZOP or RCM.
• Provide responsive and quality technical support to Maintenance and Operation on a daily basis.
• Produce technical scopes and technical oversight for large or complex overhaul, shutdown, or turnaround maintenance tasks.
• Maintain a broad knowledge of state-of the-art technology, equipment and project management.
• Perform risk assessments of new technologies.

Qualified candidates will have:

• Degree or diploma in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering or Technology is preferred.
• 5+ years of experience in an industrial environment is recommended with preference given to applicants with a power industry background.
• Experience with Computerized Maintenance Management Systems, with preference given to applicants with SAP knowledge.
• Must possess a strong business aptitude and demonstrated skills in effectively balancing 'needs' with 'value'.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively prioritize workload and commitments.
• Excellent analytical, problem solving and technical skills.
• Excellent team building, communication and interpersonal skills.
• Experience in equipment diagnostic methods and analysis, equipment monitoring and use of statistical analysis will be strong assets.
• Strong interest in applying their engineering knowledge to understand how plant equipment works and fails.

We offer competitive pay and great benefits, generous vacation, retirement plans, a share purchase plan ... and much more.

Learn more and submit your resume online at

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TransAlta is an equal opportunity employer and affirmatively seeks diversity in its workforce.