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Sr. Performance Engineer *** $15,000 Signing Bonus + Relocation Assistance ***

Dairyland Power Cooperative · La Crosse, WI · $135,400–$203,100 a year · Full time

Posted Sep 30, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 6, 2026

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Likely interview questions for this role

Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.

About your past

Tell me about a performance analysis you did that changed how a plant was operated or what got fixed during an outage.

What they are checking: Whether their analysis has actually moved decisions and dollars, not just produced reports.

This role is described as providing strategic leadership, not just analysis. How have you set direction for a performance program across more than one site or team?

What they are checking: Whether they can lead a program and influence peers, which is what separates senior from staff-level engineering.

Tell me about a time your analysis turned out to be wrong. How did you find out and what did you do?

What they are checking: Honesty and correction habits, which matter when recommendations drive large operating decisions.

This role comes with relocation to La Crosse. What draws you to this move and to working at a cooperative utility?

What they are checking: Whether the candidate has thought through the move and will stay long enough to lead the program.

What would you do

Plant operations disagrees with your recommendation because it would change how they run the unit. How do you handle it?

What they are checking: Whether they can win over the people who run the equipment instead of relying on title or data alone.

How would you mentor a newer engineer who is good with spreadsheets but has not spent much time in the plant?

What they are checking: Whether they value field knowledge and can develop others, a likely expectation of a senior engineer.

About the work

Walk me through how you would build a performance baseline for a generating unit and then track how far it drifts from that baseline over time.

What they are checking: Whether they can set a defensible reference point, since every later performance claim depends on it.

Heat rate on a unit has worsened over three months with no obvious event. How do you narrow down the cause?

What they are checking: Structured root-cause thinking across controllable losses rather than guessing at the usual suspects.

How do you decide whether a sensor reading is telling you something real about the equipment or is just a bad instrument?

What they are checking: Data skepticism and validation habits, because chasing instrument error wastes outage time and money.

How do you put a dollar value on a performance improvement so leadership can compare it to other projects?

What they are checking: Ability to translate efficiency gains into fuel, emissions and cost terms that compete for capital.

What tools and data systems have you used for performance monitoring, and how did you make sure people actually used the results?

What they are checking: Hands-on depth with monitoring systems plus whether they think about adoption, not just setup.

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The full job description

As published by Dairyland Power Cooperative.

Are you ready to join an organization where we focus on People First, have fun at work and make a difference in what we do? Dairyland is proud of our People First culture centered around appreciation, celebrating wins and collaboration. We’ve worked hard to ensure alignment between our culture and our processes and systems, learning and development and rewards and recognition programs. As a team, we work together to leverage the team’s diverse perspectives, ideas and experiences to deliver nothing less than the best. We are collaborative, transparent and committed to our People and their work experience, growth and professional development. Please note this position is open only to U.S. citizens. *** $15,000 Sign-On Bonus *** We are pleased to offer a competitive sign-on bonus to new employees who join our team. This bonus is our way of welcoming you to Dairyland Power Cooperative and recognizing the unique skills and expertise you bring to our organization. Hiring Salary: $135,400 - $203,100 Compensation is determined by a combination of factors, including but not limited to education, work experience, and certifications. The actual offer may vary, reflecting the candidate's unique blend of experience, educational background, and skill level. The Sr. Performance Engineer is responsible to provide advanced analytical and strategic leadership in the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of plant performance monitoring and testing programs, ensuring the optimal economic and reliable performance of power production equipment and systems. Lead the design and execution of programs that drive sustained plant performance improvements, including enterprise-wide heat rate training, awareness, and accountability initiatives. Direct and coordinate long-term optimization strategies for generation facilities, ensuring alignment with organizational performance, reliability, and efficiency objectives. The Impact You'll Make In This Role: ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS: 1. Lead and set direction for developing strategies for improving power plant performance through an effective monitoring program and performance evaluation process. Oversee and ensure continuous improvement of analytical computer software used to track, evaluate and report plant performance. 2. Provide advanced analytical expertise and strategic guidance to the Fuels Department to help evaluate and select various fuels for power plant combustion. 3. Lead the development, validation and optimization of computer-based performance models for each generating unit, which will guide the operations in adjusting process variables within their control to attain best possible power production efficiencies. 4. Direct and confirm accuracy of activities to maintain a plant performance database and compile data used in reporting plant performance data for in-house and outside agencies (i.e., GADs, DOE (EIA), MISO, NERC, etc.). 5. Lead and oversee the development and implementation of generation station performance testing, supporting plant performance improvement goals and objectives. Coordinate and oversee periodic power plant testing to develop and update baseline data for tracking of component heat balance and net station heat rate. 6. Serve as a primary technical resource and subject matter expert for power plant staff on performance related topics. 7. Conduct and lead advanced thermodynamic analysis of power plant cycles/equipment using computer-modeling techniques where applicable. Identify and work to resolve deviations from standards or operating procedures. Develop and communicate test results providing information contributing to improved plant performance and efficiencies for plant operators and management. 8. Oversee and enhance computer-based performance models, which guide and attain optimal power production efficiencies. Evaluate and direct the use of computer programs to model the impact of operational changes and/or unit modifications on plant operations under the direction of plant management. 9. Initiate, plan, and lead performance related capital projects designed to improve and/or address plant performance issues. Provide technical leadership for engineering design calculations and sketches, independently or with technical assistance from staff engineers, consultants, and/or contractors. 10. Provide technical oversight and direction for testing performance-related activities of contractors, vendors and assigned DPC staff. 11. Develop, review and present progress reports for assigned projects. Lead discussions with Executive Management, the Board of Directors, or regulatory agencies project summary report data, analysis, and calculations in order to ensure efficiency and expediency of project completion 12. Maintain engineering expertise through continuing education, conference attendance, and cultivation of professional contacts in the power industry. 13. Lead, mentor, and develop other Operations division engineers and staff. 14. Provide leadership and influence as a team member on multi-department projects or committees. 15. Perform other duties as assigned. Your Experience and Expertise: MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS : Education & Experience : B.S. Degree in Engineering or Physical Sciences with a minimum of ten (10) years of progressively responsible experience in project management, plant engineering, operations, or maintenance. Demonstrated expertise in power plant performance, including analysis, modeling, and advanced use of computer applications. Proven capability in project planning, engineering design, and budgeting. Strong track record of cross-functional collaboration within the cooperative and effective coordination with professional engineers, consultants, contractors, public agencies, and other external stakeholders. Skills : Knowledge of power plant operation and thermodynamic modeling and applications. Well-developed written and oral communication skills. Management oversight and coordination of plant resources and personnel. Experience in plant testing and reporting, computer science, engineering economic analysis and power station engineering design, operation and maintenance. Computer literacy. Ability to work cooperatively with people at all levels. Licenses and Certifications : Possess or be qualified to attain Professional Engineering Registration. Valid Driver’s License. Physical Demands : The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to stand, walk, use hands to finger, handle or feel, and reach with hands and arms. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Environmental Demands : Work indoors and outdoors, frequently in extreme heat, cold, noise, and mechanical hazards. Occasionally work at heights, and around explosive, electrical, fume/odor, dust, radiation, radioactive contamination, and chemical hazards. Work alongside or near heavy construction equipment, high speed rotating machinery, high voltage, high amperage electrical equipment, and high pressure/temperature equipment systems and components. Dairyland Benefits: We are committed to providing our greatest asset, our People, with as many perks and benefits as possible. Some benefits of working with us include: - Health & disability benefits (medical, dental, vision, short & long-term disability) - Life insurance - Generous 401(k) and Pension Plans - Paid Time Off - Robust Wellness Program - New Flexible Work Program - Tuition Reimbursement - So much more! Dairyland Power Cooperative is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, age, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status. If you are an individual with disabilities who needs accommodation or you are having difficulty using our website to apply for employment, contact our HR Department at 608-788-4000.

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