Operations Engineer (m/w/d)

As Operations Engineer, you will serve as a technical owner at Cape Station - Fervo's flagship geothermal power facility in Milford, UT. Reporting to the Director of Engineering, you will drive day-to-day facility optimization, own the engineering systems that underpin safe and reliable operations, and develop small capital projects from concept through commissioning. This role sits at the intersection of engineering rigor and operational urgency: you will be expected to move fast, build simple, and build safe. You will work closely with operations, maintenance, engineering and EHS teams to ensure Cape Station runs at peak performance while maintaining full regulatory compliance. This position will report to the Operations Engineering Manager.

Responsibilities

Facility Optimization & Technical Ownership

• Monitor and analyze plant performance data across ORC power generation, gathering, and surface facility systems to identify optimization opportunities.
• Develop and implement solutions and tools to improve power output, system availability, and operational efficiency.
• Own and maintain engineering calculations, datasheets, and technical documentation for facility equipment.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives with a bias toward simplicity and repeatable solutions.
• Lead root cause analysis investigations and after-action reviews for continuous improvement.
• Develop corrective actions and long-term reliability improvements
• Work closely with maintenance to prioritize reliability upgrades and preventative maintenance improvements.

Small Capital Project Development & Execution

• Identify, scope, and develop small capital improvement projects from initial concept through commissioning and handover.
• Prepare AFEs, project scopes, cost estimates, and schedules for management approval.
• Manage vendors, contractors, and internal stakeholders through project execution, ensuring delivery on time and within budget.
• Apply a design philosophy of safety, simplicity, and rapid deployment - optimizing for speed-to-power-production without sacrificing integrity.

Regulatory Compliance

• Support and maintain the site Process Safety Management (PSM) program, including process hazard analysis (PHA), incident investigation, pre-startup safety review (PSSR), and management of change (MOC).
• Support compliance with applicable federal, state, and local regulations including EPA, OSHA, BLM, and Utah DEQ requirements.
• Participate in and track action items from PHAs, HAZOP studies, and other structured hazard reviews.

Engineering Standards & Documentation

• Own and manage the P&ID revision process - generating redlines, coordinating review cycles, and ensuring drawings remain accurate and current.
• Support and maintain equipment datasheets, design basis documents, and engineering standards.
• Support vendor data review and provide technical input during equipment procurement and contractor engineering deliverable reviews.

Safety & Culture

• Model and reinforce a safety-first culture across all engineering and field activities.
• Apply inherently safer design (ISD) principles when developing new projects and evaluating changes.
• Actively participate in safety observations, incident investigations, and corrective action tracking.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Chemical, Mechanical, or Process Engineering; related disciplines considered.
• 5+ years of experience in process engineering, facilities engineering, or operations engineering roles in industrial, energy, or chemical processing environments.
• Demonstrated experience with PSM-covered facilities, including practical knowledge of PHAs, MOC programs, PSSRs, and mechanical integrity requirements.
• Hands-on experience with P&ID development and revision, process calculations, and equipment datasheets.
• Experience developing and executing small capital projects, including scoping, cost estimation, and contractor management.
• Working knowledge of OSHA PSM (29 CFR 1910.119) and EPA RMP (40 CFR Part 68) requirements.
• Strong technical writing and communication skills - able to produce clear, concise engineering documents and present findings to leadership.
• High ownership mindset with the ability to manage multiple workstreams independently in a dynamic, resource-constrained environment.
• Experience with ORC systems, geothermal operations, or light hydrocarbon processes is a plus but not required.
• Professional Engineer (PE) license or active pursuit is a plus.

Location

This position may be based in Houston, TX or within the Milford, UT corridor (Salt Lake City to Cedar City). Cape Station is a remote, industrial site that operates 24/7 to deliver firm, zero-carbon energy to the grid. The Operations Engineer will work a standard Monday-Friday (5/2) schedule with regular travel to and presence at Cape Station. Due to the continuous nature of plant operations, this role also requires availability for emergency call-outs after hours, on weekends, and holidays as needed.