Senior Performance Engineer

AES Clean Energy (CE) is seeking a Senior Performance Engineer to support the O&M Engineering team by analyzing the performance characteristics of its rapidly growing portfolio of wind generation facilities. This individual will play a pivotal role in ensuring that AES CE operates and maintains the portfolio to standards that exceed industry best-practice. The ideal candidate will be a self-starter and have the experience, ability, and interest in implementing programs and processes that will assure our operating practices achieve reliable, safe, and optimal generation. 

At AES, we raise the quality of life around the world by changing the way energy works. Everyone makes an impact every day in our small, global teams. Apply here to start an extraordinary career today.  

AES’s mission is to improve lives by accelerating a safer and greener energy future.  We are a global, agile, cohesive organization with an employee engagement level akin to a startup company.  AES businesses throughout the world are often recognized as great places to work.  Our people share a passion to help meet the world’s current and increasing energy needs, while providing communities and countries the opportunity for economic growth due to the availability of reliable, affordable electric power. 

 A day in the life of an AES CE Senior Performance Engineer will include, but is not limited to:  

Analyzing operational performance and trends of wind sites. 

Remotely investigating site performance and review operational data to investigate lost energy root causes. 

Leading coordination with Operations teams to share insights of portfolio performance to inform maintenance priorities. 

Facilitating and collaborating with field services and other AES technical teams to diagnose developing plant and equipment related problems, advise and support major site repairs, maintenance and testing in accordance with business and contractual needs. 

Coordinating 3rd party and internal reporting to inform performance analysis and meet contractual needs. 

The Senior Performance Engineer supports a larger operations team and serves as the subject matter expert for technical and engineering matters related to the overall performance of wind generation assets. Excellent communication, task management and planning skills needed, in addition to technical breadth and industry experience. 

While performance analysis is the primary qualification, the role will require the review of information related to all practical elements of wind facility plant operations. The successful applicant, while not an expert, will be comfortable with high-level review of all elements of wind operations. 

The position may include up to 10-15% travel to project locations and partner offices. 

Key Responsibilities 

Operations 

• Assist with transition from projects under construction/EPC Engineering to operating assets 

• Investigate operational assets through development and use of advanced analytics tools and utilizing technical assessments/analyses to identify performance problems  

• Communicate and support resolution of performance and equipment anomalies to plant operations, other engineering operations team members and plant technical analysts Review production estimates from energy assessments and meteorological data sources for accuracy by comparing to operational data 

• Measure fleet performance against established KPI metrics and compare actual to forecasted performance 

• Produce monthly/quarterly/annual/ad hoc performance reports, inclusive a detailed variance analysis per contractual or internal reporting requirements. 

• Seek and evaluate proposals for analysis services and consultants where needed 

• Perform Job Safety Assessments and Safety Walks to identify job-site hazards 

Collaboration 

• Collaborate with Operations and Engineering teams to identify underperformance and recommend improvements 

• “Close the loop” between Operations and Engineering by recording and communicating issues that can be mitigated through better design and operational strategies 

• Identify, utilize and share newly emerging technology, industry trends and advanced analytics to reduce field labor and improve operational performance and costs 

Growth and Leadership 

• Participate in AES CE’s growth planning process by contributing to process improvement task forces and other strategic planning activities 

• Improve and develop processes for the execution of safe, quality and high-performance projects 

• Educate team on changing trends in technology, best practices and safety 

Skills and Qualifications 

Primary Qualifications 

• Undergraduate degree in Engineering or equivalent technical field 

• 5+ Years of professional experience in engineering with focus on measuring, maintaining and improving system performance, preference in direct wind generation asset operation 

• Strong understanding of industry trends in tools and processes 

• Proficiency with advanced analysis and database tools for development of metrics and dashboards 

• Ability to work effectively with Microsoft software programs, including but not limited to Excel, Outlook, Word, and PowerPoint 

• Demonstrated ability to read and comprehend equipment/facility schematics and technical documentation 

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills 

• High degree of commitment to a quality safety culture and an incident-free work environment 

• Willingness to travel within the U.S. to support company’s portfolio of Wind assets 

• Personal values consistent with those of the AES Corporation; Safety, Integrity, Excellence, Agility and Fun 

“Plus” Qualifications 

• PE qualifications, or on track to become qualified 

• Master’s degree in Engineering 

• Experience with Wind generation design, operation, plant controls, interconnection and compliance 

• Knowledge of rotating components such as gearboxes, wind turbines, generators, and field instrumentation. Familiarity with condition-based Maintenance programs and technology applications 

• Proficiency with PowerBI, machine learning, or advanced analysis tools 

• Professional experience in engineering with focus on measuring and improving system performance  

• Experience with Data Acquisition and SCADA systems 

AES is an Equal Opportunity Employer who is committed to building strength and delivering long-term sustainability through diversity and inclusion. Respecting all backgrounds, differences and perspectives enables us to improve the lives of our people, customers, suppliers, contractors, and the communities in which we live and work. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity and/or expression, race, national origin, ethnicity, age, religion, marital status, physical or mental disability, pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical condition, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected under applicable law. E-Verify Notice: AES will provide the Social Security Administration (SSA) and if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) with information from each new employee's I-9 to confirm work authorization