Power Engineering
Our forty-week program in Power Engineering prepares students for immediate employability in today's workforce. Successful completion of this program will allow students to sit for all three licensing agencies in Michigan. Imagine that in less than one year, you can change the trajectory of your life by gaining a universal and marketable skill. The Power Engineering industry is expected to continue to outpace the industry average for needed technicians.
The courses that comprise our Power Engineering Program are:
- OSHA-10
- Boiler Industry Principles
- Boiler Accessories
- Feedwater Principles
- System Pumps
- Steam and Condensate System Principles
- Fuel System and Fuel Burning Equipment Principles
- Draft System Principles
- Boiler Operation Principles
- Boiler License Examination Principles I
- Boiler License Examination Principles II
- Exit Interview
Completing these courses will earn the student a Certificate of Completion from the program and make them eligible to continue to sit for the City of Dearborn, City of Detroit, and State of Michigan High-Pressure Boiler Operator License Examinations.
Students looking for a refresher course who currently possess a Stationary Engineer or High-Pressure Boiler Operator License are welcome to register for this course or one of our seminars explicitly designed for the examination you seek.
A power or stationary engineer is a technically skilled and certified professional responsible for operating, maintaining, renovating, and repairing boiler and mechanical systems in a facility or power plant.
Where do power engineers work?
Power engineers work in a wide variety of industries and commercial applications. They ensure equipment operates safely and efficiently within the facility's established limits.
What does a Power Engineer do?
Almost all industrial complexes and more significant commercial and public buildings have a system of support utilities, which include equipment that requires certified power engineers to operate. This could range from a single boiler to a complex system of boilers, electrical generators, steam and gas turbines, pressure vessels, refrigeration, and air conditioning.
A power engineer may be in charge of the maintenance, repair, and operation of all the mechanical systems in a building, industrial power plant, or engine room. A chief power engineer may direct the work of assistant power engineers, boiler tenders, turbine operators, air-conditioning and refrigeration operators, and mechanics. In a small building or industrial plant, there may be only one power engineer at a time who will be responsible for the entire operation and maintenance of the building or facility.
Power engineers perform work on the following systems:
- boilers and steam systems
- heating, ventilating, and air conditioning systems
- building automation systems
- diesel engines
- turbines, generators
- pumps, piping, and compressed gas systems
- refrigeration and electrical systems
Practical responsibilities also extend to auxiliary equipment, such as pumps, compressors, electrical generators, motors, steam turbines, gas turbines, heat exchangers, condensers, cooling towers, water treatment systems, etc.
Routine checks are made on all safety devices, with the power engineer identifying and correcting any ongoing trouble. Meters, gauges, and computerized controls are regularly monitored. Equipment is often manually controlled, and any necessary adjustments are made. Potential mechanical problems can often be detected by observing and listening to the pitch of the machinery.
Power engineers start up, regulate, repair, and shut down equipment depending on what is required. Maintenance and repair work can range from a complete overhaul to replacing defective parts, such as pumps, motors, bearings, gaskets, or valves. Routine maintenance includes replacing filters, removing corrosion or harmful deposits, and lubricating moving parts.
Record keeping is essential, and any relevant events and facts concerning the maintenance and operation of the equipment are kept in a log. For example, the power engineer will observe, control, and record steam pressure, water level, temperature, fuel consumption, and power output on steam boilers.
How much does an Operating Engineer make?
In case you need a simple salary calculator, that works out to be approximately $37.59 an hour. This is the equivalent of $1,504/week or $6,516/month.
While some salaries have been reported as high as $172,918 and as low as $52,670, the majority of Operating Engineer salaries currently range between $62,111 (25th percentile) to $82,483 (75th percentile), with top earners (90th percentile) making $149,563 annually in Detroit.
The average pay range for an Operating Engineer varies greatly (as much as $20,372), which suggests there may be many opportunities for advancement and increased pay based on skill level, location, and years of experience.
Based on recent job postings via online recruiting sites such as ZipRecruiter, Indeed, and LinkedIn, the Operating Engineer job market in Detroit, MI, and the surrounding area is very active.
What are the Top 5 Best Paying Related Operating Engineer Jobs in Detroit
We found at least five jobs related to the Operating Engineer job category that pay more per year than a typical Operating Engineer salary in Detroit, MI. Top examples of these roles include director of engineering, chief systems engineer, and chief process engineer.
Importantly, these jobs are paid between $17,100 (21.9%) and $67,563 (86.4%) more than the average Operating Engineer salary of $78,188. Getting hired for one of these related Operating Engineer jobs may help you make more money than the average Operating Engineer position.