Lead Technical Specialist

• Conducts engine and compressor emissions and load tests to optimize engine performance to meet air permit requirements, calculate emissions rates, determine percent of horsepower utilization for engines and compressors, listens for abnormal noises to identify potential problems (troubleshooting), and balances engines.
• Works on special projects, including supervising installation of new engine ignitions, fuel systems, and control panels.
• Has training for 2-stroke and 4-stroke low and high-speed engine and compressor operations and repairs, oil sample monitoring to find engine issues, and engine and compressor service intervals.
• Will direct the overall engine and compressor maintenance program in conjunction with the bargaining unit work group leaders.

This position provides management direction and oversight of the following activities:

• Direct operators and repair crews to properly run, tune, and service engines to meet emissions standards for permit-required testing, which is increasing in frequency as air permits are renewed and quarterly testing replaces annual testing.
• Conducts in-house emissions testing and performance analysis of engines and compressors.
• Oversee annual trailer emissions tests conducted by contractors.
• Lead the Compression Group maintenance program to meet engine and compressor manufacturer’s specifications for scheduled services.
• Provide technical expertise for engine and compressor repairs and major overhauls. Recommend proper intervals for both.
• Help train new compressor operators and repair crew members.
• Ensure recommended services are completed on the company's 45 engines, compressors and 10 gas dehydration units.
  • 34 of the compressors are driven by natural gas engines, and 11 of them by electric motors. Of these, 20 are high-speed Caterpillar engines coupled to separate Ariel compressors, 3 are low-speed Waukesha engines coupled to separate Joy compressors, and 11 are slow-speed Ingersoll-Rand, Cooper, and Ajax integral units with the engine and compressor in the same frame.
  • These compressors have different maintenance tasks and schedules that directly affect run time, unit reliability, maintenance costs, and overhaul intervals and costs.
  • Oil and filter changes, oil sampling, head valve adjustments, fuel valve adjustments, spark plug changes, engine balancing, air filter changes, and compressor valve repairs are some of the scheduled maintenance tasks required to keep the units healthy.
• The gas dehydration units operated by the group use heated glycol to strip water vapor from the gas stream. These units require filter changes, pump maintenance, and glycol testing at regularly scheduled intervals also.