Combustion Turbine Project Engineer (Emporia)

Great Plains Energy$61K — $132K *
Energy & Utilities
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Associate degree in Construction Science, Construction Technology, Engineering, or related field required; bachelor’s in engineering preferred.
  • 2+ years of experience with combustion turbine operations or maintenance preferred.
  • Understanding of power plant operations, utility operations, and the electric grid highly preferred.
  • Skilled in project controls including scheduling and cost tracking.
  • Strong time management and organizational skills.

Responsibilities

  • Drive safety culture by ensuring compliance and modeling best practices.
  • Lead comprehensive project management for combustion turbine initiatives.
  • Optimize capital and O&M budgets for efficient resource allocation.
  • Ensure project success by meeting defined scope, schedule, and financial targets.
  • Communicate project performance and financial status to senior leadership.
  • Identify future projects and align them with long-term strategic goals.
  • Oversee contractor performance, ensuring quality and safety are maintained.
  • Support integration of emerging technologies within Evergy’s portfolio.

Benefits

  • Flexible work schedule within standard hours of Monday to Friday, 7:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
  • Potential for development and support in advancing project management certification.
  • Work in a dynamic environment that includes both industrial site and office settings.
  • Engagement in complex, multi-million-dollar projects that enhance career growth.
Full Job Description
JOB TITLE: Combustion Turbine Project Engineer

REQUISITON: FOS00LG

DEPARTMENT: Gas and Oil Management - Emporia Energy Center

LOCATION:

Emporia, KS

PAY RANGE: (Min-Mid)

Generation Project Engineer I: $61,000 - $76,300

Generation Project Engineer II: $74,700 - $93,400

Sr Generation Project Engineer: $84,500 - $112,600

Lead Generation Project Engineer: $99,500 - $132,600

Scheduled Work Hours: Monday - Friday, 7:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. (Other hours as required)

Summary of Primary Duties and Responsibilities:

The candidate will serve as a strategic leader with full accountability for delivering safe, timely, cost-effective, and environmentally responsible projects across Evergy's combustion turbine generation portfolio. This role encompasses oversight of major initiatives such as simple-cycle combustion turbine installations, capital replacement projects, new technology implementation, and critical O&M programs. Many of these projects are highly complex, multi-million-dollar capital investments with multi-year timelines, requiring coordination across diverse technical and operational disciplines.

The candidate will direct a multidisciplinary team of internal and external professionals-including site management, engineering, procurement, project controls, regulatory affairs, real estate, vegetation management, legal, and administrative support-ensuring alignment from initial concept and strategic analysis through energization and final completion. They will champion the development and implementation of robust project control systems, electrical design, mechanical design, outage scheduling, and risk management frameworks to guarantee adherence to scope, schedule, budget, and safety standards.

Beyond execution, this candidate will act as the primary advocate for project interests, fostering collaboration and transparency through consistent, high-quality communication with a broad range of stakeholders, including executive leadership, regulatory bodies, community representatives, and industry partners. The candidate will demonstrate vision, influence, and operational excellence, positioning Evergy's generation portfolio for long-term success in a rapidly evolving energy landscape.

Responsibilities include but not limited to:
• Drive a culture of safety by modeling best practices and ensuring compliance for employees, contractors, and the organization.
• Lead end-to-end project management for combustion turbine and new technology initiatives, delivering results on time and within budget.
• Control and optimize capital and O&M budgets, ensuring efficient allocation of resources and cost accountability.
• Guarantee project success by meeting scope, schedule, and financial targets through proactive planning and execution.
• Communicate project performance and financial status to senior leadership with clear, data-driven reporting.
• Identify and evaluate future projects and strategic opportunities, aligning them with Evergy's long-term goals.
• Direct contractor performance during implementation, ensuring quality, safety, and adherence to contractual obligations.
• Advance innovation by supporting development teams in assessing and integrating emerging technologies into Evergy's portfolio.

Education and Experience Requirements:

Associate degree in Construction Science, Construction Technology, Engineering, or related field is required, 2+ years of experience with combustion turbine operations or combustion turbine maintenance is preferred. Preference given to candidates with a Bachelor of Science in Engineering degree (Engineering Technology, Electrical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Construction Science, Mechanical Engineering) from an ABET accredited University. Understanding power plant operations, utility operations, and the electric grid is not required but highly preferred.

Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities Required:
• Dependable, self-motivated, detail-oriented with strong organizational and proofreading skills.
• Effective communicator with internal teams and external stakeholders.
• Knowledge of project controls, including scheduling, cost tracking, and progress monitoring for any size project.
• Ability to meet physical job requirements and promote a strong safety culture.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office and related technology tools.
• Comfortable working in field environments and active construction sites.
• Skilled in technical writing, project scheduling (Microsoft Project or Primavera), and interpreting technical documentation.
• Strong time management, able to prioritize multiple tasks in high-pressure environments.

Licenses, Certifications, Bonding, and/or Testing Required:

None required. Project management certification is a bonus. CMRP or CRL certification is encouraged.

Working Conditions:

Normal working conditions will vary by location and project but typically include 70% of work in an industrial environment at an operational site and 30% in an office environment. Office location will be at an operating energy center. Work can occur across all weather extremes within Kansas and Missouri. During project outages or critical events, work weeks could extend to 7 days a week on 12 hour shifts until site restoration is complete.

Disclaimer: The above information has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job.

About Great Plains Energy

Great Plains Energy Incorporated was a holding company based in Kansas City, Missouri that owned electric utility Kansas City Power and Light Company and Strategic Energy, LLC, an energy management company. KCP&L established the holding company on October 1, 2001. Great Plains acquired Aquila, Inc. in July, 2008. In 2014, it ranked #855 on the Fortune 1000 list. In 2016, Great Plains and Westar Energy announced merger plans, but this proposed merger was rejected by Kansas Corporation Commission utility regulators as unfavorable to Kansas consumers. A new merger plan with Westar was announced in 2017. As of May 24, 2018, this merger has been approved by both the Missouri Public Service Commission and Kansas regulators, with the combined company to be named Evergy. On October 7, 2019 the two operating companies officially changed names and rebranded to Evergy in the communities they serve.
Learn more about Great Plains Energy
Industry
Founded
1919

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