What are the responsibilities and job description for the Lead Mechanical Engineer position at Omaha Public Power District?
Responsibilities
Lead Power Generation Engineer
Position Overview
Omaha Public Power District (OPPD) is one of the largest publicly owned electric utilities in the United States, serving more than 855,000 people across 13 counties in southeast Nebraska. With a mission to provide affordable, reliable, and environmentally sensitive energy services, OPPD is committed to operational excellence, innovation, and long-term system resilience.
As a Lead Power Generation Engineer, you will serve as both a senior technical expert and a team leader within OPPD¿s Power Generation Engineering organization. You'll own the health, performance, and reliability of critical plant systems, guide engineering strategy, and support the development of engineering talent. You'll also act as a key liaison for Integrated Work Management processes, ensuring safe, efficient, and high-quality execution of both online and outage-related work.
You will have the opportunity to work on some, or all, of the following equipment:steam turbines, condensers, boilers, heat exchangers, pumps, fans, blowers, valves, material-handling systems, grinding equipment, water treatment systems, and emissions control equipment at coal-fired stations, or combustion turbines, reciprocating engines, natural gas and fuel oil systems, air compressors, water plant systems, and emissions controls at peaking plants.
The Impact You'll Have
¿ Non-Shift Work
Time Demands:
Non-Essential Position: This position may be required to report to work beyond the normal shift to support the restoration of normal business operations.
This position must be available for overtime work and callouts as required to ensure continuance of efficient operation.
Work Location:
Office: Work will be performed in a modern office environment amid normal conditions of dust, odors, fumes, and noises.
Field: Work will be performed outside in a wide variety of weather conditions (snow, rain, heat, cold, wind, etc.), terrain, and other natural environmental hazards as well as pollen and other airborne allergens.
Generation Plant: Work will be performed inside with exposure to industrial building conditions and will be exposed to extreme temperatures, odors, dust, gases, poor ventilation and exposure to sounds. Noise levels may require shouting to be heard.
Work Environment: Choose all that apply.
Work will be performed in high traffic environments.
Will work around energies high voltage electrical equipment.
Will work in construction areas that present many physical hazards.
Will work at heights.
Will work in closed or confined spaces.
Will work around asbestos and lead.
Other: ___________________________
Salary/Wage Info
Grade: S7
Minimum: $121,013
Midpoint: $151,266
Our Culture & Mission
At Omaha Public Power District, everything starts with people - our teams, our communities, and the customer owners who count on us. As the 12 th largest public power utility in the U.S., we serve more than 900,000 people across 13 counties, and we take that responsibility seriously.
We lead with integrity, support one another, and do what's right - because how we serve matters just as much as what we deliver. Our goal is simple: provide affordable, reliable, and environmentally responsible energy today and for generations to come.
We create power with purpose. Your work here has real impact - on families, on the environment, and on the future of energy. And we believe great ideas can come from anywhere.
If you want to be part of a team that takes care of the community and the people who serve it, you're in the right place. We back up our mission by taking care of our employees, too - which is why our benefits are among the most comprehensive and competitive in the region.
Ready to apply?
When you apply, be sure your resume highlights the skills and experience that will help you succeed in this role.
EOE: Protected Veterans/Disability
Recruiter Information
Recruiter: Michael Fierro - mrfierro@oppd.com
Lead Power Generation Engineer
Position Overview
Omaha Public Power District (OPPD) is one of the largest publicly owned electric utilities in the United States, serving more than 855,000 people across 13 counties in southeast Nebraska. With a mission to provide affordable, reliable, and environmentally sensitive energy services, OPPD is committed to operational excellence, innovation, and long-term system resilience.
As a Lead Power Generation Engineer, you will serve as both a senior technical expert and a team leader within OPPD¿s Power Generation Engineering organization. You'll own the health, performance, and reliability of critical plant systems, guide engineering strategy, and support the development of engineering talent. You'll also act as a key liaison for Integrated Work Management processes, ensuring safe, efficient, and high-quality execution of both online and outage-related work.
You will have the opportunity to work on some, or all, of the following equipment:steam turbines, condensers, boilers, heat exchangers, pumps, fans, blowers, valves, material-handling systems, grinding equipment, water treatment systems, and emissions control equipment at coal-fired stations, or combustion turbines, reciprocating engines, natural gas and fuel oil systems, air compressors, water plant systems, and emissions controls at peaking plants.
The Impact You'll Have
- Lead expert-level system health monitoring, identifying reliability risks and developing corrective action plans that directly improve plant performance and operational stability.
- Conduct advanced diagnostics and root-cause analysis to resolve complex plant issues, often leading cross-functional troubleshooting teams.
- Drive equipment lifecycle strategies, upgrades, and modifications that enhance reliability, flexibility, and long-term asset value.
- Support the Manager of Power Generation Engineering by coordinating work assignments, mentoring team members, and ensuring high-quality engineering output.
- Represent OPPD as a technical authority in industry groups, incorporating best practices and emerging technologies into plant operations.
- Develop and refine engineering processes, including system health monitoring and reliability-centered maintenance programs.
- Provide technical leadership during outages, ensuring safe, timely, and effective execution of critical work.
- Maintain deep subject matter expertise in assigned systems: mechanical, electrical, or multi-disciplinary, ensuring compliance with codes, regulations, and internal standards.
- BS degree in Engineering - preference given to those with Mechanical Engineering degrees
- Professional Engineer, or ability to obtain a Nebraska PE license within 6 months.
- Minimum five years of professional engineering experience in power generation or equivalent technical roles.
- Broad technical perspective across multiple engineering disciplines and strong industry knowledge.
- Demonstrated ability to blend technical and business considerations in decision-making.
- Proven leadership capability - motivating, coaching, and developing technical professionals while fostering diverse ideas and constructive conflict resolution.
- Strong communication, presentation, and negotiation skills.
- Effective analytical and problem-solving abilities, with proactive mindset and sound judgment.
- Ability to manage multiple projects with shifting priorities while maintaining high-quality results.
- Professional, respectful interaction with internal and external stakeholders.
- Valid driver's license.
- Ability to lead multidisciplinary teams and apply project management principles to complex assignments.
- Expertise in system health monitoring, equipment diagnostics, and reliability-centered maintenance practices.
- Deep understanding of assigned equipment and systems (e.g., turbines, boilers, generators, switchgear, emissions controls, control systems).
- Two or more years of supervisory or team leadership experience.
- Project Management Professional (PMP) certification.
- Advanced degree (MBA or MS).
- Familiarity with alternative energy technologies.
- Experience with robust reliability-centered maintenance programs.
- Thorough knowledge of generating stations and energy markets.
¿ Non-Shift Work
Time Demands:
Non-Essential Position: This position may be required to report to work beyond the normal shift to support the restoration of normal business operations.
This position must be available for overtime work and callouts as required to ensure continuance of efficient operation.
Work Location:
Office: Work will be performed in a modern office environment amid normal conditions of dust, odors, fumes, and noises.
Field: Work will be performed outside in a wide variety of weather conditions (snow, rain, heat, cold, wind, etc.), terrain, and other natural environmental hazards as well as pollen and other airborne allergens.
Generation Plant: Work will be performed inside with exposure to industrial building conditions and will be exposed to extreme temperatures, odors, dust, gases, poor ventilation and exposure to sounds. Noise levels may require shouting to be heard.
Work Environment: Choose all that apply.
Work will be performed in high traffic environments.
Will work around energies high voltage electrical equipment.
Will work in construction areas that present many physical hazards.
Will work at heights.
Will work in closed or confined spaces.
Will work around asbestos and lead.
Other: ___________________________
Salary/Wage Info
Grade: S7
Minimum: $121,013
Midpoint: $151,266
Our Culture & Mission
At Omaha Public Power District, everything starts with people - our teams, our communities, and the customer owners who count on us. As the 12 th largest public power utility in the U.S., we serve more than 900,000 people across 13 counties, and we take that responsibility seriously.
We lead with integrity, support one another, and do what's right - because how we serve matters just as much as what we deliver. Our goal is simple: provide affordable, reliable, and environmentally responsible energy today and for generations to come.
We create power with purpose. Your work here has real impact - on families, on the environment, and on the future of energy. And we believe great ideas can come from anywhere.
If you want to be part of a team that takes care of the community and the people who serve it, you're in the right place. We back up our mission by taking care of our employees, too - which is why our benefits are among the most comprehensive and competitive in the region.
Ready to apply?
When you apply, be sure your resume highlights the skills and experience that will help you succeed in this role.
EOE: Protected Veterans/Disability
Recruiter Information
Recruiter: Michael Fierro - mrfierro@oppd.com
Salary : $121,013 - $151,266