A Stationary Engineer—also known as an Operating Engineer or Power Plant Engineer—is a highly skilled professional responsible for operating and maintaining industrial heating and cooling systems. These systems run in a variety of facilities and environments, ensuring safe, reliable, and efficient building operations 24/7, 365 days a year.

The City of Buffalo Fuel Devices Department oversees the regulation of power plant, boiler, and refrigeration operations. To ensure public safety and professional competency, the department issues Stationary Engineer Operator Licenses to qualified individuals, outlined here. While this license is issued specifically for the City of Buffalo, it is also recognized by many neighboring municipalities throughout Western New York. The type and capacity of equipment an engineer may operate—based on horsepower and cooling tonnage —depends on their level of licensing, which reflects both training and operational experience.