Operations Engineering Manager (Power Plant)

Operations Manager (Power Plant)

SpaceX is seeking a Power Plant Operations Manager to lead the daily operation and performance of power generation systems supporting the Starbase supercomputer. This position is responsible for ensuring gas turbines, generators, supporting utilities, and balance-of-plant systems operate safely, efficiently, and reliably to meet the demands of mission-critical infrastructure.

This is a hands-on engineering leadership role. You will build and manage the plant operations team, establish operating procedures, monitor plant performance, and lead troubleshooting during startups, shutdowns, equipment trips, and abnormal operating conditions. The ideal candidate has direct power plant operating experience, strong technical judgment, and the ability to lead operators through complex situations while maintaining safety and equipment reliability.

Responsibilities

• Lead daily power plant operations, including gas turbine startup and shutdown, generation monitoring, load management, and balance-of-plant operation
• Build, train, and manage a team of plant operators and shift supervisors responsible for safe and reliable plant operation
• Develop and implement standard operating procedures (SOPs), method of procedure documents (MOPs), emergency operating procedures (EOPs), and shift turnover processes
• Monitor operational performance, including plant output, turbine efficiency, heat rate, equipment temperatures, pressures, vibration, and alarm conditions
• Direct operating response to turbine trips, equipment failures, system alarms, and abnormal plant conditions; coordinate safe restoration of generation
• Work directly with engineering and maintenance teams to troubleshoot equipment issues and minimize unplanned downtime
• Coordinate plant operating schedules, planned shutdowns, maintenance clearances, and equipment return-to-service activities
• Oversee plant control room operations and ensure operators are proficient with turbine controls, DCS, SCADA, and associated monitoring systems
• Support commissioning, startup, performance testing, and operational turnover of new power generation equipment
• Lead root cause investigations related to operating events, procedural deficiencies, and equipment performance issues
• Coordinate with electrical infrastructure and supercomputer operations teams on generation availability, load changes, and system reliability
• Ensure operational compliance with plant safety procedures, environmental permits, equipment operating limits, and applicable regulatory requirements

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or a related engineering discipline
• 5+ years of hands-on experience in power plant operations, including gas turbine, combined-cycle, or comparable industrial power generation facilities
• Experience directing plant operations, leading operating personnel, or supervising control room activities
• Demonstrated experience with plant startup, shutdown, troubleshooting, and equipment performance monitoring

Preferred Skills and Experience

• Direct operating experience with industrial gas turbines, generators, HRSGs, steam turbines, or associated balance-of-plant equipment
• Experience with GE, Siemens Energy, Mitsubishi Power, or comparable turbine and control systems
• Strong understanding of turbine operating parameters, combustion systems, generator synchronization, and plant performance
• Experience with DCS, PLC, SCADA, and turbine control systems
• Ability to interpret P&IDs, electrical single-line diagrams, control logic, and operating manuals
• Experience developing and improving startup, shutdown, emergency response, and equipment restoration procedures
• Demonstrated ability to manage 24/7 operating teams, shift schedules, and technical training programs
• Experience investigating turbine trips, forced outages, and operational reliability issues
• Familiarity with electrical switching, lockout/tagout, NFPA 70E, and industrial process safety
• Experience operating power generation assets supporting data centers or other mission-critical facilities
• Strong ability to make sound technical decisions under pressure and communicate effectively across engineering, maintenance, and operations teams

Additional Requirements

• Must be able to work onsite at Starbase, TX
• Must be available to provide on-call support during critical operating events
• Must be willing to work extended hours, nights, and weekends as operational needs require
• Ability to work outdoors and in industrial plant environments while wearing appropriate PPE
• Ability to safely access operating equipment, climb stairs and ladders, and work in confined spaces when required

Itar Requirements

• To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicant must be a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful, permanent resident (aka green card holder), (iii) Refugee under 8 U.S.C. § 1157, or (iv) Asylee under 8 U.S.C. § 1158, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Learn more about the ITAR here.