Technical Project Manager - Carbon Capture

$132,890 - $169,435/Yr

Calpine - Walnut Creek, CA

Full-time - Mid Level

Walnut Creek, CA

Utilities

About the position

Calpine Corporation is America's largest generator of electricity from natural gas and geothermal resources, with a commitment to environmental stewardship and corporate responsibility. The Technical Project Manager for Carbon Capture will play a pivotal role in leading and managing technoeconomic analyses for Calpine's Post-Combustion Carbon Capture (PCCC) pipeline. This position requires a strong background in chemical or mechanical engineering, as well as extensive experience in project management and carbon accounting. The successful candidate will serve as a subject matter expert, providing support to various teams including origination, development, engineering, construction, operations, and maintenance to advance PCCC projects and optimize overall project economics. The role involves scoping and developing analyses that quantify the environmental and economic attributes of PCCC technologies. The Technical Project Manager will lead the development of first principles-based modeling software, such as ProTreat and AspenPlus, to evaluate the performance of PCCC facilities. They will integrate results from Front End Engineering Design (FEED) studies into existing Calpine NGCC thermal design software, ensuring compliance with local regulations while optimizing project design for efficiency and performance. In addition to technical responsibilities, the position requires effective communication of technical analyses results to a wide variety of internal and external stakeholders. The Technical Project Manager will also analyze testing results from pilot facilities, recommend tests for optimizing technoeconomic and environmental performance, and maintain internal databases regarding the applicability of different PCCC technologies to various facilities. This role is crucial in supporting the development of economic analyses associated with Department of Energy (DOE) funded projects and ensuring quality standards are met in technical deliverables.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development of first principles-based modeling software (ProTreat/AspenPlus) to evaluate the performance of PCCC facilities.
• Integrate results from Front End Engineering Design (FEED) studies into existing Calpine NGCC thermal design software (Ebsilon/Gatecycle).
• Recommend technoeconomic optimizations based on feedback from internal stakeholders, modeling results, and Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) feedback.
• Lead internal and external technical analysis for different feasibility studies and project assessments during the development phase.
• Ensure compliance with local regulations while optimizing project design for efficiency and performance.
• Analyze and provide feedback regarding testing results from pilot facilities evaluating PCCC technologies.
• Recommend tests for pilot facilities to optimize technoeconomic and environmental performance of PCCC technology.
• Perform feasibility studies evaluating early-stage PCCC technologies.
• Develop a framework for comparison of technologies and propose methods to derisk early-stage technology.
• Communicate new technology development and risks associated with new technology.
• Educate procurement, engineering, and operations teams on the latest industry technology.
• Maintain internal databases regarding the applicability of different PCCC technologies to different facilities.
• Support recommendations for technology deployment across Calpine NGCC fleet and new-build opportunities.
• Support the development of economic development and carbon accounting analyses associated with DOE funded projects.
• Maintain databases summarizing the output of development and economic analyses for different sensitivities and facilities.
• Communicate differences in analyses providing similar output (e.g., GREET and OpenLCA).
• Review technical deliverables associated with DOE projects and ensure quality standards are met.

Requirements

• Bachelor of science degree in chemical or mechanical engineering or related discipline.
• 5+ years of experience required.
• Experience with amine solvent-based acid gas separations processes.
• Experience with Wet Flue Gas Desulfurization (FGD) or amine-based PCCC processes.
• Experience developing ProTreat and AspenPlus models.
• Knowledge of carbon LCA principles and applicable methodologies (GHGP, Vera, etc.).
• Experience developing LCAs using commercially available software (OpenLCA/GREET).
• Working knowledge of NGCC thermodynamic cycles and modeling software (Ebsilon/Gatecycle).
• EPC or Owner-Operator experience working on large (1 B+) multistage projects.
• Experience working with DOE or National Labs on FEED studies or Pilot facilities.
• Proficient with the full Microsoft Office suite (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint).
• Strong technical, analytical, and quantitative skills.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Strong written and verbal communication, interpersonal, and teamwork skills.
• Ability to work independently with limited supervision.
• Strong time-management skills and ability to multi-task.
• Business acumen and demonstrated strong project management skills.
• Ability and willingness to travel.

Benefits

• Competitive salary range of $132,890 to $169,435.
• Equal Opportunity Employer of Minorities, Females, Protected Veterans, and Individuals with Disabilities.
• Commitment to providing reasonable accommodations to applicants with physical and/or mental disabilities.