Engineering Director - Power Generation

About us:

Pacifico Energy is a global energy infrastructure firm supporting complex, large load projects from development through to operations. The company serves as a trusted partner across engineering, financing, construction, and optimization, delivering tailored power solutions for large energy users, including data centers. With a proven international track record and over 15 years as a large-scale developer, Pacifico brings speed and knowledgeable oversight to projects from start to finish.

Position Summary:

The Engineering Director is responsible for leading engineering execution across the company's gas turbine power generation projects, including battery energy storage and hybrid systems.

This role is accountable for delivering all engineering scope in support of EPC execution, ensuring alignment with project schedule, budget, performance requirements, and contractual obligations. The Engineering Director operates as the owner's lead engineering representative during project execution, working closely with EPC contractors, OEMs, and internal teams to drive timely and high-quality project delivery.

The position requires a hands-on approach, with direct involvement in engineering decisions, issue resolution, and coordination throughout design, construction, and commissioning phases.

Key Responsibilities:

Engineering Execution & Delivery

• Lead engineering execution across assigned projects under the direction of the Sr. Director of PM.
• Ensure all engineering activities support overall EPC delivery milestones and project schedules.
• Take ownership of engineering scope delivery, including quality, completeness, and timeliness of all deliverables.
• Act as the primary point of accountability for engineering performance during execution phases.

EPC Engineering Oversight

• Serve as the owner's engineering lead interfacing with EPC contractors.
• Oversee EPC engineering activities to ensure compliance with:
  
  • Contractual requirements
  • Technical specifications
  • Owner standards and expectations
• Review and approve key EPC deliverables, including:
  
  • Equipment specifications and vendor documents
  • PFDs, P&IDs, and system integration packages
  • Construction and commissioning procedures
• Ensure effective coordination between EPC, OEMs, and internal stakeholders.

Technical Leadership & Decision Making

• Act as the lead technical authority for project-level engineering decisions.
• Provide rapid, practical resolution of engineering issues arising during design, construction, and commissioning.
• Escalate critical risks and decisions to the Sr. Director of PM when required.
• Maintain strong technical oversight of:
  
  • Gas turbine packages and auxiliaries
  • Balance-of-plant mechanical systems
  • Interfaces with electrical and controls systems

Procurement & Vendor Coordination

• Support EPC and owner-led procurement activities from a technical standpoint.
• Lead technical review of vendor bids, deviations, and equipment selections.
• Manage OEM and vendor technical interfaces during design and fabrication.
• Ensure vendor deliverables meet project requirements and schedule commitments.

Engineering Integration & Interface Management

• Ensure clear definition and management of interfaces across:
  
  • Mechanical, electrical, and controls systems
  • OEM packages and EPC scope boundaries
  • Owner, EPC, and third-party stakeholders
• Drive resolution of scope gaps, overlaps, and integration risks.
• Maintain alignment across all engineering disciplines throughout execution.

Risk Management & Compliance

• Identify and manage engineering risks impacting project execution.
• Participate in and support:
  
  • HAZOP and HAZID studies
  • Design risk assessments
• Ensure engineering solutions comply with:
  
  • Safety standards
  • Environmental regulations
  • Permitting requirements
• Support incorporation of risk mitigation measures into project execution plans.

Construction & Commissioning Support

• Provide hands-on engineering support during construction and commissioning phases.
• Participate in:
  
  • FATs and SATs
  • System turnover and commissioning activities
  • Performance and reliability testing
• Lead resolution of field engineering issues and commissioning challenges.
• Ensure systems are delivered in a fully functional and operable condition.

Operational Readiness & Asset Support

• Support transition from construction to operations, ensuring engineering completeness.
• Assist with development of:
• Operating procedures
• Maintenance strategies
• Spare parts planning
• Provide post-COD engineering support for troubleshooting and performance optimization.

Team Leadership & Coordination

• Lead project-level engineering teams and coordinate internal resources.
• Provide clear direction, priorities, and technical guidance to engineers.
• Ensure strong communication and alignment between engineering, project management, and construction teams.
• Promote a culture of accountability, responsiveness, and execution focus.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or related discipline.
• 12-15+ years of experience in power generation engineering with strong EPC execution exposure.
• Demonstrated experience delivering gas turbine (OCGT/CCGT) projects through construction and commissioning.
• Strong technical knowledge of turbine auxiliaries and balance-of-plant systems.
• Proven ability to manage EPC contractors and OEM interfaces.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in an owner/operator or IPP environment.
• Field experience in construction, commissioning, and start-up.
• Familiarity with hybrid systems and battery energy storage integration.
• PE license preferred.

Core Competencies:

• Strong execution and delivery mindset
• Hands-on technical leadership
• Effective EPC and contractor management
• Practical problem-solving under schedule pressure
• Strong coordination and communication skills
• Ability to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced project environment

Other: Working Conditions:

• Hybrid office/site-based role with travel to OEM facilities, EPC partners, and project locations.
• Occasional support during construction, commissioning, and handover to operations.