A Stationary Engineer (operating engineer, power plant engineer) is a technically trained professional who operates and oversees industrial heating & cooling equipment in many forms and under many different settings 24/7/365. This career is always in demand with great compensation and is a vital necessity to ensure safe and efficient building operations. This field serves various industries and commercial users such as building developers, municipalities, educational institutes, hospitals, manufacturing, and utilities.

The City of Buffalo Fuel Devices Department regulates power plant, building heating (boiler) and cooling (refrigeration) operations through issuing stationary engineering operator licenses ensuring there is qualified operators. This license is for use within the City of Buffalo and is commonly required and honored by many sounding municipalities within Western New York. The amount of horsepower and cooling tonnage that may be operated by an individual is based on the level of licensing the operator has. Their license level is based on the level of training they have received and their years of operating experience.

The program is a 3-Tier Licensing Structure. The 2^nd Class engineering being the entry level, 1^st Class engineering being the operator level and a Chief Engineer being the highest level, with unlimited horsepower and cooling tonnage operational capability and has management responsibilities over the facility.