Job opportunities will be best for workers with computer training. A license to operate boilers, ventilation, air conditioning, and other equipment is required in most States and cities. Industrial plants often have facilities to provide electrical power, steam, or other services. Stationary engineers operate and maintain these systems, which can include boilers, air-conditioning and refrigeration equipment, diesel engines, turbines, generators, pumps, condensers, and compressors. The equipment stationary engineers operate is similar to equipment operated by locomotive or marine engineers, except it is not on a moving vehicle.
Stationary engineers start up, regulate, and shut down equipment.
They ensure that it operates safely, economically, and within established limits by monitoring meters, gauges, and computerized controls. They manually control equipment and, if necessary, make adjustments. They use hand and power tools to perform repairs and maintenance ranging from a complete overhaul to replacing defective valves, gaskets, or bearings. They also record relevant events and facts concerning operation and maintenance in an equipment log. On steam boilers, for example, they observe, control, and record steam pressure, temperature, water level and chemistry, power output, fuel consumption, and emissions.