Manager, Mechanical Engineering

POSITION PURPOSE

This position is located at our headquarters building in Bismarck, ND and is not a remote position. 

Provides strategic leadership, direction, and oversight for mechanical engineering functions supporting existing and new Basin Electric Power Cooperative (BEPC) facilities. This position is responsible for establishing engineering standards, ensuring technical excellence, and managing resources to support capital and operational objectives. The incumbent develops organizational capability, oversees complex engineering activities, and ensures alignment with business goals, safety standards, and industry best practices.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

• Lead and manage mechanical engineering teams, including supervisors, engineers, and technical staff.


• Establish and maintain mechanical engineering standards, specifications, and best practices across the organization.


• Provide strategic direction for major capital projects involving mechanical systems, equipment, and plant processes.


• Oversee complex mechanical design activities, including piping systems, pumps, fans, and large industrial equipment.


• Direct workforce planning, succession planning, and professional development initiatives.


• Manage departmental budgets, capital planning input, and resource allocation.


• Serve as project sponsor or senior technical advisor for large, high-risk, or complex projects.


• Ensure engineering work is accurate, efficient, and aligned with sound engineering principles and BEPC expectations.


• Oversee consultant and vendor relationships, including contract strategy, negotiation, and performance.


• Review and approve technical evaluations, bid recommendations, and contract awards.


• Drive continuous improvement and adoption of new tools, technologies, and engineering practices.


• Ensure compliance with safety, environmental, and regulatory requirements.


• Collaborate with operations, maintenance, and other engineering disciplines to optimize plant performance.


• Perform other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in an Engineering Accreditation Commission/Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (EAC/ABET) accredited mechanical engineering program; and 10 years of related engineering and process experience.


• Prior experience acting as a lead or previous supervisory experience


• A Professional Engineer (PE) registration.


• Occasional Travel Required

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience developing engineering standards or processes.


• Experience providing engineering leadership on large scale capital projects supporting generation assets.


• Experience working in the power plant, utility, or power generation industry.

PHYSICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL DEMANDS

This position requires frequent sitting and lifting/carrying up to 25 pounds; and occasional standing/walking, bending/reaching, kneeling, climbing, crawling, pushing/pulling up to 15 pounds and lifting/carrying up to 50 pounds. This position requires use of keyboard/computer and occasionally working at heights up to 250 feet. This position requires good finger dexterity, hand coordination, good hearing and vision. The incumbent may occasionally work in confined spaces, and be exposed to extreme heat/cold, dirt, fumes, chemicals, vibration, and noise. Tools/equipment used include floating pick scaffolding, vibration testing equipment, velocity measuring probes, electronic thickness testers, slag hammer, computer equipment, and surveying equipment. This position must be respirator qualified.

KEY SKILLS

• Advanced knowledge of piping, pumps, fans, and large industrial equipment, including field-related engineering exposure.


• Leadership/management experience 


• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.


• Proficient with Microsoft Word, Outlook, and Excel.


• Advanced decision-making and problem-solving ability.