Senior Mechanical Engineer

Job Title: Senior Mechanical Engineer

At Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD), we are seeking a highly skilled Senior Mechanical Engineer to join our Power Generation Engineering Department. As a key member of our team, you will play a critical role in leading and supporting capital and mechanical maintenance projects for our generating assets, including hydroelectric, thermal, wind, photovoltaic, and natural gas pipeline facilities.

Job Summary:

The Senior Mechanical Engineer will provide specialized mechanical engineering expertise for the planning, design, modification, construction, maintenance, and troubleshooting of mechanical, plumbing, fire protection, and instrumentation and control systems within SMUD facilities and generating plants. This role will also involve providing design, operations, and maintenance engineering, training, and procedures in support of gas pipeline operations.

Key Responsibilities:

• Perform and provide leadership for mechanical engineering development and integration of new design concepts, system improvements, and energy-saving measures into SMUD facilities' mechanical systems.
• Conduct and/or direct detailed analyses, studies, and calculations of HVAC, plumbing, and fire suppression systems.
• Monitor, analyze, and interpret federal, state, local, and industry standards, codes, and regulations.
• Provide mechanical design, technical expertise, and high-quality engineering support for SMUD facilities by identifying and resolving unique and complex engineering problems related to design, construction, and testing of modifications or daily operations.
• Participate in project management for mechanical system modifications, develop, monitor, and control project schedules, provide cost estimates for proposed modification work, and report progress in achieving project deliverables and schedules and meeting project budgets through written or oral communications.
• Provide technical guidance and documented standards and procedures for maintenance of mechanical equipment in SMUD facilities, establish and document use of test equipment and test procedures, provide training as necessary for maintenance procedures, and issue drawings, diagrams, instructions, and technical information for maintenance staff.
• Develop and maintain expertise and knowledge of current industry practices, standards, correct engineering applications, and interpretations for the Facilities Maintenance department, represent SMUD at meetings, industry committees, and professional organizations, attend technical seminars, and keep current with published trade articles and professional journals.
• Identify and resolve complex mechanical problems by analyzing and interpreting data from test instruments, research mechanical-related disturbances and their relation to facility problems, diagnose causes, and recommend solutions.
• Provide standards, procedures, and training to ensure that pipeline operations and maintenance are conducted safely and are in compliance with all applicable regulations, initiate procedure and/or facility design changes to improve safety, effectiveness, or efficiency, conduct ongoing review of new projects adjacent to the pipeline for possible impacts, and mitigate harmful effects.
• Develop and implement gas pipeline's emergency preparedness and safety management programs, coordinate emergency preparedness simulation activities, conduct public information sessions on pipeline safety, interacting with community groups and agencies.
• Develop and implement a comprehensive welding control program, ensure regulatory compliance, integrity of installations, worker safety, and availability of qualified workers to meet Department needs.
• Plan, coordinate, prioritize, monitor, guide, review, and conduct work activities associated with department internal/external projects in accordance with established task objectives and schedule as outlined in the project plan/contract.

Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in mechanical engineering.
• 5 to 7 years of experience in the design, maintenance, testing, or construction of facilities mechanical systems, or gas transmission pipeline operations, engineering, and project and maintenance management.
• Knowledge of distributed control systems, pneumatic control systems, Direct Digital Control systems DDC, computerized Building Automation Systems BAS, chilled water plants, process control loop tuning, Piping and Instrumentation Diagrams PandID functions, variable frequency drive systems, HVAC theory including dual duct systems and variable air volume distribution, fire-tube and water-tube boilers, solar domestic hot water heating systems, hydronic systems, thermal energy storage systems, water and air balance theory for air handlers, water flow balancing of heating and cooling coils, computer-controlled lighting systems, public address, telephone, and modem installations, and wet and dry protection and detection systems.
• Skills to analyze complex technical problems and apply engineering principles to develop solutions, diagnose operational and design problems in mechanical systems, interpret drawings, schematics, statistical data, and reports, support the start-up of heating boilers, rotating equipment, and modern state-of-the-art HVAC systems, effectively manage major gas projects and programs, lead professionals in complex projects, interpret and apply applicable federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations, operate office equipment including a computer terminal, systems, and software relevant to the job, present technical information in a clear and concise manner, communicate effectively orally and in writing internally/externally.

Desirable Qualifications:

• California Professional Registration as a Mechanical Engineer (PE).

About SMUD:

SMUD is a community-owned, not-for-profit electric service provider that has been delivering power to over 1.4 million customers in the Sacramento area for over 70 years. We are a recognized industry leader and award winner for our innovative energy efficiency programs, renewable power technologies, and sustainable solutions for a healthier environment.

Why Sacramento, California?

Sacramento is the state's sixth-largest city and the 35th largest in the U.S. It is home to several universities, including California State University and the University of California, Davis. The city is also known for its farm-to-fork food movement and is close to the agriculturally rich Central Valley. Sacramento is a great place to live and work, with a diverse economy, a strong sense of community, and a high quality of life.

Hybrid Work:

This position may be eligible for SMUD's hybrid (office/home) work employee benefit, the schedule of which will be determined by the successful candidate and the Hiring Manager. SMUD takes pride in powering the Sacramento region community where we live and work. We value the strong working relationships we develop with our colleagues.

Equal Employment Opportunity:

SMUD provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, amnesty, or status as a covered veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws.

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