Staff Engineer (Coal / Biomass)

Position Title: Staff Engineer (Coal / Biomass)

Location: Richmond, VA

Clearance Requirements: None

Position Status: Full Time (Direct Hire) — On-site

Pay Rate: $90,000/yr

Position Description:

We’re seeking a senior-level Staff Engineer to serve as a technical subject matter expert supporting coal and biomass power generation. In this role, you’ll provide high-impact engineering leadership across boiler operations, air pollution control (APC) systems, fuel handling, and ash/waste handling—helping operating and maintenance teams solve complex performance, reliability, and compliance challenges.

This position is ideal for an experienced engineer who enjoys being the go-to technical advisor—driving decisions through strong analysis, practical field knowledge, and cross-functional collaboration.

What you’ll do (Responsibilities):

• Provide engineering leadership and technical consultation for coal/biomass combustion and associated plant systems.
• Support and optimize APC equipment including Wet FGD, dry scrubbers, mercury control, and potential Dry Sorbent Injection (DSI) solutions.
• Advise teams on fuel quality impacts to combustion performance, boiler cleanliness/sootblowing, emissions control, and downstream systems (NOx, SO₂/SO₃, HCl/acid gases, PM, Hg).
• Partner with fuel procurement to support fuel contract renewals, including reviewing specifications and establishing/negotiating reject limits for key constituents.
• Provide technical guidance for fuel delivery/handling, ash removal, and waste handling/disposal processes.
• Engage vendors, OEMs, and industry suppliers to evaluate technologies, troubleshoot issues, and implement improvements.
• Contribute to cost/dispatch-related technical inputs (e.g., understanding dispatch cost methodology) and support internal regulatory/strategic planning commitments as needed.

Work environment / travel:

• Primarily office-based with periodic plant/field exposure (up to ~25%) in industrial power generation environments.
• Up to ~25% travel to support multiple facilities/projects.

Additional considerations:

• No visa sponsorship/transfer available for this role.
• Veterans and transitioning service members are encouraged to apply.

Required Skills/Education:

Must-have qualifications:

• 8+ years of relevant engineering experience in power generation or closely related heavy industrial environments.
• Demonstrated experience with coal and/or biomass combustion AND air pollution control systems (e.g., FGD, scrubbers, mercury control, DSI).
• Ability to operate as a senior technical lead/SME—advising, influencing decisions, and guiding cross-functional teams.

Education / credential requirement (one of the following is required):

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering from an ABET-accredited program, OR
• Engineering degree equivalent recognized under the Washington Accord, OR
• Undergraduate degree (Engineering/Physics/Chemistry/Math/Engineering Technology) plus a relevant post-graduate Engineering degree where the corresponding undergrad discipline is ABET-accredited, OR
• Active or previously held U.S. Professional Engineer (PE) license.

SEO keywords (built into role): Staff Engineer, Power Generation, Coal, Biomass, Boiler, Combustion, Air Pollution Control (APC), Wet FGD, Dry Scrubber, Mercury Control, Dry Sorbent Injection (DSI), Emissions, SO₂, NOx, PM, HCl, Sootblowing, Fuel Handling, Ash Handling, Operations Support, Reliability Engineering.

About Seneca Resources

At Seneca Resources, we are more than just a staffing and consulting firm, we are a trusted career partner. With offices across the U.S. and clients ranging from Fortune 500 companies to government organizations, we provide opportunities that help professionals grow their careers while making an impact.

When you work with Seneca, you’re choosing a company that invests in your success, celebrates your achievements, and connects you to meaningful work with leading organizations nationwide. We take the time to understand your goals and match you with roles that align with your skills and career path. Our consultants and contractors enjoy competitive pay, comprehensive health, dental, and vision coverage, 401(k) retirement plans, and the support of a dedicated team who will advocate for you every step of the way.

Seneca Resources is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace where all qualified individuals are encouraged to apply.