Operations and Maintenance (O&M) Manager

Middlesex Generating is a landfill gas-fired cogeneration plant situated in Sayreville, NJ, boasting a 17-megawatt (MW) combined cycle facility. Central to its operation are two Solar Tarus T60 Solar Gas Turbines, ensuring efficiency. To maximize performance, we've seamlessly integrated an Elliot Steam Turbine and a Heat Recovery Steam Generator (HRSG) into the system. This integration allows us to harness waste heat, thus optimizing our power generation process.

Opportunity Summary

The O&M Manager at Middlesex Generating leads the safe, reliable, and efficient operation and maintenance of the facility's generating equipment and associated balance-of-plant systems. This role oversees plant performance, maintenance and reliability programs, workforce development, safety and regulatory compliance, and cost management. The O&M Manager works closely with plant leadership and technical personnel to improve equipment reliability, operational efficiency, and long-term plant performance.

Your scope of responsibility as O&M Manager includes the following primary functions:

Operations and Plant Performance

• Direct the safe, reliable, and efficient operation of gas turbines, the steam turbine, HRSG, and associated mechanical, electrical, controls, auxiliary, and balance-of-plant systems.
• Monitor plant performance, equipment condition, and operating trends; report abnormal or emergency conditions to the Plant Manager and coordinate corrective action to protect personnel, equipment, environmental compliance, and generation reliability.
• Coordinate operating plans and generation requirements with plant leadership, ownership, utility representatives, and other applicable stakeholders to support operational and commercial objectives.

Maintenance, Reliability, and Risk Management

• Manage preventive, predictive, and corrective maintenance programs and develop short- and long-term maintenance plans, including daily, weekly, and monthly work priorities, to maximize equipment reliability and availability.
• Lead outage planning and execution by establishing work priorities, coordinating personnel and contractors, allocating resources, and ensuring maintenance activities are completed safely and on schedule.
• Analyze equipment performance, maintenance history, recurring failures, and operating data to identify reliability risks, guide corrective actions, and improve plant performance.
• Maintain operational and maintenance records and reports covering equipment availability, downtime, maintenance costs, manpower, and completed work to support planning, budgeting, audits, and management decisions.
• Ensure plant activities meet applicable safety, environmental, and regulatory requirements, including LOTO, emissions and wastewater limits, OSHA requirements, and established procedures; address potential compliance issues promptly.

Leadership and Business Management

• Lead and develop Operations and Maintenance personnel through work assignment, staffing, scheduling, coaching, training, and performance management; assume Plant Manager responsibilities in the Plant Manager’s absence.
• Maintain and periodically review operating procedures, maintenance practices, emergency response protocols, and required training records to support consistent, safe, and compliant plant operations.
• Coordinate contractor services for equipment maintenance and repairs, including work-scope development, commercial negotiations, contract administration, and execution oversight.
• Support operating and capital budgets, cost control, procurement, and coordination with vendors, contractors, utility providers, and internal resources; perform other duties as assigned to support plant operations.

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 O&M Manager reports to the Plant Manager and provides leadership to Operations and Maintenance personnel. This position works with plant, corporate, and external resources as needed to support safe, reliable, and efficient operations.

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 O&M Manager works a standard Monday to Friday day-shift schedule. This position will require extended hours, flexible shifts, weekends, and holidays as needed to support plant operations and business needs and may also require callout availability. Depending on the position, on-call status may or may not apply.

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 $150,000 to $160,000 and includes eligibility for an annual performance bonus.

O&M Leadership Experience and Qualifications

• A bachelor's degree in engineering or a related technical field is preferred; an equivalent combination of education, power generation experience, and technical training may be considered.
• Extensive experience in gas turbine power plant operations and maintenance, preferably involving combined-cycle or cogeneration equipment and associated balance-of-plant systems.
• Experience with operating and capital budgets, cost control, contractors, procurement, vendor management, and CMMS systems, plus Microsoft Office proficiency and strong communication, organizational, and decision-making skills.
• Strong technical knowledge of gas turbines, steam turbines, HRSGs, and associated mechanical, electrical, instrumentation, controls, and auxiliary systems; experience with landfill gas-fired generation is preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to manage preventive, predictive, and corrective maintenance programs, outage planning, equipment reliability, and maintenance execution.
• Proven capability to evaluate plant performance, equipment condition, operating trends, and maintenance history to identify risks and implement improvements in reliability, availability, efficiency, and cost performance.
• Comprehensive understanding of safety leadership, lockout/tagout (LOTO), safe work practices, emergency preparedness, and applicable OSHA and company requirements.
• Familiarity with environmental and regulatory requirements affecting power generation facilities, including emissions, wastewater, compliance reporting, inspections, and audit readiness.
• Effective leadership skills in directing and developing Operations and Maintenance personnel through work planning, coaching, training, performance management, and workforce development.
• 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 serve clients across the power generation, oil and gas, and renewable energy sectors throughout North America and internationally, supporting the full life cycle of power generation and other industrial facilities.

NAES is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace. Employment decisions are based on merit and qualifications, without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, disability, military status, USERRA-protected status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.