Resident engineer on site: keeping a geothermal plant running smoothly

In geothermal power generation, reliability is everything. With demanding operating conditions, continuous production and little room for downtime, plant operators need fast, knowledgeable support they can rely on. This is where a resident engineer can play a critical role. By working directly at the customer site, Valmet resident engineer becomes a trusted part of the plant’s daily operations bridging the gap between the customer and the technology provider, and ensuring that issues are solved quickly, correctly, and with the full context of the plant in mind.

A typical day close to the customer

A resident engineer’s day consists of multiple varying tasks including reviewing site updates, emails, and reports from the previous shift. This creates a clear picture of what has happened and what needs attention. From there, the focus is firmly on the customer site: attending meetings with the plant team, supporting engineers, answering technical questions, and troubleshooting issues as they arise.

Because the resident engineer is already on site or close by, solutions to customer needs can be provided immediately without long response times or back and forth communication. At the same time, future tasks and priorities are planned together with the customer to ensure smooth and predictable operations. Due to Valmet’s vast service center network, expert support, spare parts, and products can be found close to the customer.

Hands‑on support where it matters most

At the customer site, the most typical work includes monitoring installations, testing and production activities, and ensuring that everything meets quality and safety requirements. Resident engineers coordinate closely with the branch manager, suppliers, and office‑based engineering teams whenever changes or challenges arise.

Daily work often also involves troubleshooting, calibration, and mechanical adjustments of valves. This close day-to-day presence also makes it possible to spot early signs of potential issues before they develop into problems the customer may not yet have noticed. When maintenance is needed, the goal is always to resolve it directly on site, in the shortest possible time minimizing downtime and avoiding unnecessary delays.

Safety and compliance are constant priorities. Verifying that installations and activities follow safety regulations, codes and customer requirements is an integral part of the role.

Why customers benefit from resident engineers

Geothermal applications are demanding by nature. High temperatures, continuous operation, and strict reliability requirements mean that even small issues can have a significant impact.

A resident engineer helps customers by:

• Identifying potential issues early, sometimes before customers are aware of them
• Acting as a single point of contact between the plant and the vendor
• Providing immediate on‑site technical support
• Ensuring faster troubleshooting and maintenance
• Supporting safe, compliant and reliable operation
• Reducing response times compared to remote support

Just as importantly, close daily cooperation builds trust. Customers know who to contact and know they will get an answer.

Creating value through collaboration

Customer feedback highlights the value of proximity. Customers feel more comfortable knowing that vendor support is available on site, and that help is always close at hand. Quick responses and face-to-face communication make a real difference, especially compared to situations where emails to other suppliers remain unanswered. This presence creates confidence not only in the equipment, but also in partnership.

What Valmet resident engineers value most is working closely with people and creating value for both the customer and the company. The role is, at its core, a bridge between the two. By understanding customer needs deeply and responding to them quickly and correctly, the resident engineer helps build long‑term trust.

In customer plants, a resident engineer is more than a technical expert. They are a trusted partner, problem solver, and daily support for the customer’s operations. By being present on site, they help keep critical processes running safely, reliably and efficiently, every day.