Tuning Engineer

NO THIRD PARTIES NO SPONSORSHIP

Alava Consulting's client is looking for a Tuning Engineer.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS

1. Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical, Aerospace, Chemical, or related Engineering discipline with strong coursework/background in combustion, propulsion systems, and thermo-fluids (advanced degree preferred).
2. 5 years of relevant experience in gas turbine combustion/dynamics, DLN tuning, performance engineering, commissioning, recommissioning, as a combustion Subject matter Expert.
3. Strong technical knowledge of DLN combustion systems including emissions tuning, combustion dynamics/stability, operability, mode transfers, and stability mapping across startup, loading, and steady-state operation.
4. Working knowledge of process controls and combustion support system response, including how changes in fuel/air ratio and perturbations affect systems such as fuel gas, IGV, exhaust, secondary cooling, and related auxiliaries during tuning and troubleshooting.
5. Experience with commissioning and post-major-outage recommissioning (CI/HGP/MI), including unit health/stability verification, tuning validation, and readiness for turnover to Operations/customer.
6. Familiarity with auto-tuning concepts, algorithms, and tuning platforms/tools, including data trending/analysis and use of digital tools to support repeatable tuning and troubleshooting decisions.
7. Strong communication and cross-functional coordination skills, with the ability to work effectively with Controls, Field Service, Operations, RMC, Engineering Assessment, and customer/OEM teams and translate technical findings into clear field guidance and closeout documentation.

GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Provide fleet-wide DLN tuning technical support for emissions compliance, combustion dynamics/stability, and operability across startup, loading, and steady-state operation.
2. Support online troubleshooting and event response for combustion-related issues (dynamics excursions, emissions drift, mode transfer issues, instability events), including clear technical guidance for Field Service and Operations.
3. Execute and support commissioning and post-major-outage recommissioning (CI/HGP/MI), including unit health/stability verification, tuning validation, and readiness for safe turnover to Operations/customer.
4. Apply combustion, thermo-fluids, and process controls knowledge to evaluate fuel/air perturbation response and interactions with combustion support systems (fuel gas, IGV, exhaust, secondary cooling, and auxiliaries) during tuning and stability mapping.
5. Develop and maintain DLN tuning standards, procedures, acceptance criteria, and troubleshooting playbooks, including use of auto-tuning concepts/tools to improve repeatability and field execution quality.
6. Provide M&D (Monitoring & Diagnostics) analytics support by helping define tuning-related indicators, thresholds, and signatures; interpreting trends/events; and capturing lessons learned to improve fleet monitoring, early warning, and repeat-event reduction.

SPECIFIC TASKS

1. Analyze combustion dynamics, emissions, and operating data to diagnose DLN instability, emissions drift, mode transfer issues, and operability problems during startup, loading, and steady-state operation.
2. Provide remote and on-site tuning support during online operation, commissioning, and post-major-outage recommissioning (CI/HGP/MI), including first-fire, synchronization, loading, and stabilization activities.
3. Execute and document DLN tuning adjustments (within approved limits/procedures) to optimize emissions, stability margin, and operability while maintaining safe unit operation.
4. Evaluate fuel/air perturbation response and interactions with combustion support systems (e.g., fuel gas, IGV, exhaust, secondary cooling, and auxiliaries) to support tuning decisions and troubleshooting.
5. Develop and maintain tuning procedures, acceptance criteria, and troubleshooting guides, including mode transfer guidance, dynamics response actions, and post-tuning validation checklists.
6. Support auto-tuning implementation and use, including review of algorithms/platform outputs, validation of tuning recommendations, and refinement of tuning workflows for repeatable field execution.
7. Provide M&D analytics support by defining/validating DLN indicators, thresholds, and signatures; reviewing trends and event data with the M&D team; and capturing lessons learned for fleet monitoring and repeat-event reduction.