Mechanical Engineer, Wind & Solar Operations

TransAlta Corporation is seeking a Mechanical Engineer for Wind & Solar Operations in Calgary, AB. The role involves providing technical support for operations and maintenance, focusing on risk mitigation and equipment reliability. Responsibilities include engineering support, capital project assistance, and condition assessments. Candidates must have a Mechanical Engineering degree, P. Eng. designation, and at least 4 years of experience. Travel to various wind facilities in Canada and the US is required.

ABOUT THE ROLE

Reporting to the Manager of Wind Engineering, the Mechanical Engineer, Wind & Solar Operations provides technical support to Operations, Maintenance, and Capital Projects staff to achieve safe, reliable, and profitable operation of our assets. Duties are focused on identifying and mitigating technical risks in the equipment, and to give a long-term, equipment-centered viewpoint for maintenance and capital decisions being considered by operations.

The Wind Operations Mechanical Engineer is responsible for understanding the equipment condition and risks, developing solutions for equipment issues, and supporting the implementation of those solutions through maintenance or the capital process. This position can be based out of one of the following Wind sites: Melancthon, Ontario or Pincher Creek, Alberta, but will be supporting TransAlta's North American Wind Fleet. The selected candidate will be required to travel to Wind facilities in Canada and the US.

This is a safety-sensitive position. The successful candidate will be required to complete pre-employment testing.

RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Provide day-to-day engineering support to operations and maintenance staff to ensure the facility can operate safely and in compliance with TransAlta and jurisdictional technical policies, procedures, rules, and standards.
2. Offer technical support to safely return units to service from forced outages.
3. When requested, provide technical support to capital projects and major maintenance outages including scope development, quality assurance plans, inspections, and commissioning support.
4. Identify, document, update and communicate equipment risk and mitigations and recommend immediate corrective actions, inspections, testing, or repairs that may be required.
5. Give input into Asset Management and Capital Planning exercises. This includes developing conceptual engineering work scopes and risk assessments that are well balanced to meet overall asset goals.
6. Complete timely Root Cause Failure Analysis, as well as recommending corrective actions.
7. Accountable for completing condition assessment and risk assessment work as required by business needs.
8. Identify and implement innovative solutions to improve current processes and improve equipment performance/reliability.
9. Bring industry best practices, innovations/new technology to be evaluated by the business.
10. Provide emergency support for forced outages and other operational issues that may arise.

ABOUT YOU

Qualifications

1. Mechanical Engineer with P. Eng. Designation from APEGA or with another Canadian province.
2. +4 years rotating equipment experience, with very strong preference given to candidates with gearbox experience.
3. Specialized training and certifications in discipline related areas (i.e. vibration analysis, rotating equipment, etc) are an asset.
4. Demonstrated capability to solve standard and often complex problems through the application of sound engineering judgment and new technologies, services or products.
5. Excellent communication skills.
6. Self-motivated and able to work with minimal supervision while consistently taking initiative.
7. Strives for continuous improvement to deliver outcomes in the most efficient and effective manner.
8. Valid Driver's License and ability to travel to sites.
9. Valid Passport and ability to travel to US assets.
10. Ability to work at heights and in a plant environment.
11. Available to provide technical advice during non-core hours to address urgent operational issues.

Desired Technical Knowledge

Wind Turbine Blades, Foundation and Performance Engineering data experience is considered an asset but not a requirement for the role.