The Tejas Energy Center is a 247 MW simple-cycle gas-fired electric generating facility, featuring three Simple Cycle LM6000 PC units totaling approximately 126 MW. Additionally, it has a Siemens 501 D5 gas turbine with a 121 MW capacity, equipped with automatic generation control (AGC), evaporative cooling, water injection for NOx control, and a selective catalytic reduction unit. Utilizing the Allen-Bradley PLC series of controllers, the plant plays a critical role in supporting peak energy demands within the Houston Zone of ERCOT.

Opportunity Summary

The Plant Manager plays a critical role in overseeing the safe, reliable, and cost-effective operation of a 247 MW simple-cycle gas-fired electric generating facility, ensuring compliance with all agreements, regulations, and owner directives. This position provides decisive leadership to all plant personnel, managing employee selection, training, and qualification maintenance while upholding safety, environmental, and contractual obligations.

In addition, the Plant Manager serves as a key liaison between the facility, the community, and the industry, fostering positive relationships to enhance the plant's reputation and profitability. Charged with maximizing plant profitability, they implement strategic measures to optimize operational efficiency and financial performance, ensuring sustained success for both the organization and the broader community.

Primary Functions

Your scope of responsibility as Plant Manager includes the following primary functions:

Administer the plant's Safety, Operations, NERC Compliance, Maintenance, Administrative, Training, Chemistry, and Environmental QA/QC programs to ensure the plant operates safely, efficiently, and reliably. Implement training and qualification programs to ensure that all plant personnel understand and properly follow plant procedures. Direct the sourcing, screening, and hiring of new or replacement personnel as needed to maintain a skilled and capable workforce. Determine plant training objectives and employee development needs, collaborating with the plant management team to provide coaching, career counseling, and development opportunities. Verify that the certification status of operations and maintenance personnel is current and in compliance with all relevant standards. Maintain high levels of morale and motivation among plant personnel at all times. Ensure alignment between plant personnel and objectives with client requirements to achieve seamless operations. Manage and oversee the planning, budgeting, contracting, and execution of planned and unplanned plant outages to optimize production, minimize costs, and enhance plant profitability. Apply sound business principles, best practices, and prudent utility techniques to maximize plant profitability. Direct or perform all commercial activities, including budgeting, procurement, administration of major plant contracts (e.g., power sales, fuel purchase, long-term service agreements), and plant-level financial reporting. Oversee the preparation of required client and utility reports, budgets, environmental compliance reports, and other documentation to ensure regulatory and contractual compliance. Promote and enhance the plant's image as a responsible community member, encouraging plant staff involvement in community activities. Conduct periodic reviews of plant policies and procedures to ensure they reflect current operating requirements and best practices.

NAES Safe

Safety is a core value at NAES, and as a condition of employment, all employees are expected to remain mentally alert and work safely at all times. All NAES managers and supervisors (referred to as "Supervisors") play a direct and crucial role in ensuring that all work is conducted in a healthy and safe manner. Their effectiveness in fulfilling this responsibility is a key component of each supervisor’s performance evaluation. This responsibility includes, but is not limited to, the following functions:

Conduct/Support Regular Safety Meetings: Hold safety meetings at least once a month. Address Safety at All Group Meetings: Incorporate safety discussions into all group meetings. Conduct Inspections and Observations: Establish a regular inspection process for the work area and implement a safety observation process for ongoing work. Lead Safety Activities: Organize these activities in accordance with any rules, requirements, or guidance established in your business unit, group, or division. Involve All NAES Teammates: Engage all team members in safety activities. Analyze Results and Educate: Analyze inspection results, write work orders, train employees, and educate them to eliminate hazards and at-risk behavior while meeting regulatory requirements. Conduct Regular Observation Tours: Perform at least two safety observation tours of high-risk activities (e.g., confined space) to ensure employees are working in accordance with safe practices, company procedures, and OSHA regulations. Maintain Regular and Frequent Contacts: Conduct one-on-one sessions with workers to discuss safety issues, communicate expectations, and coach safe behaviors, such as ensuring employees are wearing all required personal protective equipment. Respond to Incidents: Address all safety-related incidents, including injuries, incidents, and near misses. Write a report detailing what occurred, identifying the cause, and recommending corrective actions according to established business unit or division practices. Follow up as necessary to ensure corrective actions are implemented.

Working Relationships

The Plant Manager reports to the Operations Director and supervises the plant personnel. The Plant Manager is the single point of contact between NAES Corporation and the Owner on all matters pertaining to the operation and maintenance of the plants.   

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions 

Physical requirements include standing for extended periods of time, stair and ladder climbing, and routinely lifting up to 50 pounds. Protective equipment must be worn in the performance of some duties (e.g., hard hats, safety glasses, air masks, ear protection, chemical suits, hot gloves, and high voltage protective equipment, etc.). Work with hazardous materials may be required. There are extensive smoking restrictions in and around the facility. 

Fitness for Duty 

All employees will participate in the Fitness for Duty Program. This program includes post-offer physical examination and drug screening and post-employment random drug screening.  

Work Schedule

This position offers a Monday to Friday work schedule, during regular dayshift hours. Position requires extended working hours and varied shifts with the possibility of weekend and holiday work, as required by schedules, workload, and plant conditions. "On call" status will periodically be required. Some travel may be involved to participate in Manager, Owner, User Group, or other offsite meetings.

Compensation

Initial starting compensation will range from $149,400 to $179,000 annually.

Job Qualifications

We are seeking a candidate with technical experience in gas-fired power generation, preferably with LM6000 or aero-derivative engines, along with leadership experience and a proven track record of accomplishments and career advancement.

A Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering or a related field is beneficial, providing a solid foundation for technical and operational expertise in power generation.

Prior experience in a Plant Manager role or similar position, overseeing operations in a power generation facility, with a proven track record of managing budgets, improving operational efficiency, and ensuring regulatory compliance.

Extensive knowledge and experience with gas turbines within a power generation setting, including operation, maintenance, and troubleshooting of turbine systems and associated auxiliary equipment.

Skilled in analyzing and optimizing engine performance metrics, implementing efficiency improvements, and troubleshooting operational issues.

Experience with control systems, including PLCs and SCADA, for monitoring and controlling gas-fired power generation processes.

Understanding of preventive and predictive maintenance strategies, with experience managing maintenance schedules to ensure optimal equipment reliability.

Proficient in using data analysis tools to identify and resolve technical issues, enhancing operational efficiency and safety.

Familiar with North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) compliance and other regulatory standards for power generation.

Extensive knowledge of business principles and practices specific to regulated power generation utilities, ensuring effective operational and financial management.

Demonstrated expertise in environmental management, compliance with applicable laws, and skills in budget development and contract administration.

Strong leadership, motivational, and communication skills, with the ability to engage effectively at all levels of the organization.

Demonstrated ability to lead, mentor, and develop teams, fostering a culture of safety, collaboration, and continuous improvement while managing performance and productivity.

Results-oriented problem solver with a successful track record in managing change initiatives to enhance technical, human resources, business, and financial performance.

Must possess and maintain a valid Drivers License at all times.

About NAES

NAES Corporation is the leading provider of operations, maintenance, and engineering services for energy facilities. We have established ourselves as a reliable partner for clients in North America and internationally, offering services across power generation, oil and gas, and renewable energy sectors. Additionally, our growing family of companies enables us to address the entire life cycle of power generation and other industrial plants.

NAES is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace. It is the practice of NAES to seek employees of the highest quality and to select individuals on the basis of merit and competence, without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, disability, military status or affiliation protected under USERRA, or any other basis of discrimination prohibited by applicable local, state and federal law.