Plant Manager

The Fremont Energy Center is a 540 MW natural gas-fired generating station with a 2 x 1 configuration, offering operational flexibility and efficiency. Notably, it has 163 MW of duct-firing capacity, allowing for increased electricity production by utilizing exhaust heat from the gas turbines. As a reliable and adaptable power generation facility, the Fremont Energy Center plays a crucial role in meeting the region's energy demands and ensures a stable electricity supply.

Opportunity Summary

The Plant Manager at Fremont Energy Center leads all aspects of operations, maintenance, safety, compliance, and administrative programs for a combined-cycle facility, ensuring safe, reliable, and efficient performance under varying dispatch conditions. The role oversees gas turbines, HRSGs, steam turbine, and duct firing systems while supporting flexible, market-responsive generation, workforce development, and a strong safety culture.

As the primary interface with the Owner, regulators, and the community, the Plant Manager oversees commercial agreements, financial performance, and compliance while optimizing plant reliability and performance.

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

• Provide overall site leadership and governance by establishing clear expectations, reinforcing accountability, and ensuring policies and procedures align with operational objectives, regulatory requirements, and industry standards.
• Champion a proactive safety culture by promoting safe work practices, reinforcing safety expectations, and ensuring personnel remain vigilant in protecting themselves, coworkers, contractors, and the public.
• Ensure compliance with environmental permits, regulatory requirements, NERC standards, and landowner agreements, including the preparation and timely submission of all required reports.
• Serve as the primary liaison to regulatory agencies, grid operators, and community stakeholders, fostering positive relationships and promoting the facility’s reputation as a responsible and engaged neighbor.
• Direct and integrate core plant programs—operations, maintenance, safety, chemistry, training, administration, NERC, and environmental compliance—focused on combined-cycle systems and duct firing to ensure safe, efficient, and reliable generation under varying dispatch conditions.
• Administer the Management of Change (MOC) program to ensure all modifications to equipment, processes, and procedures are properly reviewed, approved, documented, and communicated prior to implementation.
• Oversee performance and reliability of gas turbines, HRSGs, steam turbine, and balance-of-plant systems by supporting Operations and Maintenance, assisting with troubleshooting, and coordinating technical resources as needed.
• Optimize plant performance by improving start-up and shutdown reliability, heat rate, ramp rates, and overall responsiveness to market and dispatch requirements.
• Plan and execute scheduled and forced outages, including combustion inspections, hot gas path inspections, and HRSG outages, optimizing schedules, resources, and work scope to improve reliability, control costs, and maximize generation availability.
• Develop workforce staffing strategies and qualification frameworks to support all operational phases, ensuring required certifications, training, and competencies remain current and compliant.
• Strengthen organizational capability by identifying skill gaps, providing coaching and career development guidance, and supporting initiatives that enhance employee engagement, morale, and retention.
• Administer and ensure compliance with commercial and contractual obligations, including O&M agreements, fuel supply contracts, power sales agreements, service agreements, and interconnection requirements.
• Oversee procurement strategy and vendor management activities, including administration of major service agreements and supplier performance oversight.
• Manage plant financial performance by developing operating and capital budgets, monitoring expenditures, forecasting costs, and applying cost-control practices to ensure fiscal discipline and accurate financial reporting.
• Carry out and complete additional duties, special projects, and assignments as required.

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 have a direct and important role in ensuring that all work is performed in a healthy and safe manner. Effectiveness in carrying out this responsibility is part of the evaluation of each Supervisor’s performance.

Working Relationships

The Plant Manager reports to the Operations Director and supervises the managers, technicians, and Plant Administrator. The Plant Manager is the single point of contact between NAES and the Owner on all matters pertaining to the operation, maintenance, and commercial management of the plant.

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions

Physical requirements include standing for extended periods of time, climbing stairs and ladders, working from elevated platforms and walkways at varying heights, and routinely lifting up to 50 pounds.

Power plant environment that may involve entering confined spaces, crawling through narrow areas, and handling hazardous materials, with exposure to fumes, extreme temperatures, and noise. Work may include high heat near equipment and varying outdoor weather conditions.

Some duties may require the use of protective equipment, which can include hard hats, safety glasses, and eye protection, air masks/respirators, ear protection, chemical suits, flame-resistant clothing (FRC), hot gloves, high-voltage protective gear, and fall protection. Fit testing for respirators may be required. Strict smoking restrictions apply in and around the facility.

Fitness for Duty

All personnel will participate in the Fitness for Duty Program, which includes a post-offer physical examination, drug screening, and post-employment random drug screening.

Work Schedule

The Plant Manager works a standard Monday to Friday day shift schedule, ensuring consistent plant operation and support during regular business hours. This position will also occasionally necessitate extended working hours and flexible shifts as needed, including weekends and holidays, in response to schedules, workload demands, and plant conditions. Periodic callouts or “On call” status may also be required.

Some travel may be involved to participate in Manager, Owner, User Group, or other offsite meetings.

Compensation

This position offers an annual base salary ranging from $160,000 to $190,000 and includes eligibility for an annual performance bonus.

Professional Expertise & Qualifications

We are seeking an accomplished leader with extensive experience in the operations and maintenance of power generating facilities, paired with a strong history of career growth and a track record of excellence in achieving results.

• A Bachelor of Science degree in engineering or equivalent is desired, providing a strong foundation for understanding the technical aspects of power plant operations and management. Relevant industry or military experience may be considered in lieu of education.
• Extensive leadership experience in natural gas-fired combined-cycle power generation, with demonstrated success in senior plant leadership roles and a comprehensive understanding of power plant operations and business practices, including within an independent power producer (IPP) environment.
• Proven ability to lead and manage diverse teams, including technical, supervisory, and hourly personnel, while fostering a culture of accountability, engagement, and high performance.
• Strong technical expertise in combined-cycle plant systems—including gas turbines, HRSGs, steam turbines, and BOP equipment—paired with hands-on capability to support complex troubleshooting, maintenance strategies, and optimization.
• Demonstrated commitment to safety leadership, with a track record of promoting a proactive safety culture and driving accountability across all levels of the organization.
• In-depth knowledge of environmental compliance requirements, including permitting, regulatory reporting, and preparation for internal and external audits.
• Solid financial and commercial acumen, including experience with budgeting, forecasting, cost control, and administration of contracts, service agreements, and vendor relationships.
• Proven ability to lead change and continuous improvement initiatives that enhance operational performance, workforce effectiveness, and financial outcomes.
• Strong communication and stakeholder engagement skills, with experience effectively interfacing with regulatory agencies, community partners, plant personnel, and ownership.
• Must possess a valid, unrestricted U.S. driver’s license and ensure it remains in good standing at all times.

About NAES

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

NAES is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace. We prioritize selecting employees based on merit and competence, seeking individuals of the highest quality, 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 form of discrimination prohibited by applicable local, state, and federal law.

Qualifications Skills Preferred Management Advanced Power Plant Operations Advanced Power Plant Fundamentals Advanced Power Generation Advanced Budgeting Advanced Environmental Awareness and Stewardship Advanced Key Performance Indicators Advanced Microsoft Office Suite Intermediate Motivating Others Advanced O&M - Operations & Maintenance Advanced Team Leadership Advanced Verbal and Written Communications Advanced Safety Program Development and Maintenance Intermediate Safety Policies and Procedures Management Intermediate Safety & Compliance Standards (OSHA/NFPA/EPA) Intermediate NERC Reliability Standards Compliance Intermediate Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) Intermediate Behaviors Preferred Innovative: Consistently introduces new ideas and demonstrates original thinking Functional Expert: Considered a thought leader on a subject Leader: Inspires teammates to follow them Team Player: Works well as a member of a group Education Preferred Bachelors or better. Experience Preferred We are seeking an accomplished leader with extensive experience in the operations and maintenance of power generating facilities, paired with a strong history of career growth and a track record of excellence in achieving results. A Bachelor of Science degree in engineering or equivalent is desired, providing a strong foundation for understanding the technical aspects of power plant operations and management. Relevant industry or military experience may be considered in lieu of education. Extensive leadership experience in natural gas-fired combined-cycle power generation, with demonstrated success in senior plant leadership roles and a comprehensive understanding of power plant operations and business practices, including within an independent power producer (IPP) environment. Proven ability to lead and manage diverse teams, including technical, supervisory, and hourly personnel, while fostering a culture of accountability, engagement, and high performance. Strong technical expertise in combined-cycle plant systems—including gas turbines, HRSGs, steam turbines, and BOP equipment—paired with hands-on capability to support complex troubleshooting, maintenance strategies, and optimization. Demonstrated commitment to safety leadership, with a track record of promoting a proactive safety culture and driving accountability across all levels of the organization. In-depth knowledge of environmental compliance requirements, including permitting, regulatory reporting, and preparation for internal and external audits. Solid financial and commercial acumen, including experience with budgeting, forecasting, cost control, and administration of contracts, service agreements, and vendor relationships. Proven ability to lead change and continuous improvement initiatives that enhance operational performance, workforce effectiveness, and financial outcomes. Strong communication and stakeholder engagement skills, with experience effectively interfacing with regulatory agencies, community partners, plant personnel, and ownership. Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.