Project Engineer

Brenntag; Leeds; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

Brenntag UK & Ireland is seeking a Project Engineer to lead capital investment and operational improvement projects across sites from concept to commissioning and handover. The role requires strong project management, engineering capability, and the ability to work with internal teams and external contractors to ensure safety, on-time delivery and budget adherence.

The successful candidate will have an engineering background with experience delivering capital projects in industrial, chemical,

Qualifications

• Experience delivering engineering projects in manufacturing, chemical, industrial, logistics or process environments.
• Ability to interpret engineering drawings, P&IDs and layout drawings.
• Experience managing contractors and suppliers.
• Strong project management principles (scope, cost, schedule, risk, stakeholders).
• Proficient in engineering documentation and specifications.

Responsibilities

• Lead capital investment and operational improvement projects from concept through to completion.
• Develop project scopes, technical specifications, business cases and execution plans.
• Prepare and maintain project schedules, budgets and resource plans.
• Manage risks and implement mitigation actions.
• Coordinate internal stakeholders and external contractors to achieve objectives.
• Ensure commissioning, start-up and handover to operations.
• Deliver projects safely, on time and within budget.
• Provide engineering support to operations and maintenance teams.

Skills

Project management

Stakeholder management

Budget control

Risk management

Technical problem solving

Planning and organisation

Communication and influencing

Continuous improvement

Education

HND/Degree in Mechanical, Chemical, Process, Electrical or related Engineering

Tools

Microsoft Project

Job description

Job Title: Project Engineer

Status: Full Time

Location: Leeds (Head Office) with UK travel

Department: Supply Chain

Reports To: Process Engineering Manager

Role Purpose

The Project Engineer is responsible for leading and delivering projects across Brenntag UK & Ireland sites. The role will manage projects from concept through to commissioning and handover, ensuring all projects are delivered safely, on time, within budget, and in compliance with company engineering and process safety standards.

The successful candidate will have a strong engineering background, proven project management capability, and experience delivering capital projects within industrial, chemical, manufacturing, or process environments.

Key Responsibilities

Project Delivery

• Lead capital investment and operational improvement projects from concept through to completion.
• Develop project scopes, technical specifications, business cases, and project execution plans.
• Prepare and maintain project schedules, budgets, and resource plans.
• Manage project risks and implement mitigation actions where required.
• Coordinate internal stakeholders and external contractors to achieve project objectives.
• Ensure successful commissioning, start-up, and project handover to operations.
• Deliver assigned projects safely, on time, and within budget.

Engineering & Technical Support

• Produce and review engineering documentation including:
• • Technical specifications
  • P&IDs
  • Plant layout drawings
  • Equipment specifications
  • Scope of Works
• Provide engineering support to operational and maintenance teams where required.
• Support the strategic development of Brenntag UK & Ireland facilities.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives across operations.
• Maintain engineering standards and promote best practice.

Process Safety & Compliance

• Ensure all projects comply with company Project Management Framework, engineering standards, regulatory requirements, and industry best practice.
• Support Management of Change (MOC) processes.
• Participate in risk assessments, HAZOP studies, and design reviews.
• Maintain and improve records relating to Process Safety Critical Equipment (PSCE).
• Promote a strong safety culture and ensure compliance with all company Quality, Health, Safety and Environmental (QHSE) policies.
• Ensure engineering solutions are safe, practical, and sustainable.

Contractor & Supplier Management

• Develop tender packages and obtain competitive quotations.
• Evaluate supplier and contractor proposals.
• Manage contractors throughout project execution.
• Monitor contractor performance, quality, and compliance with site requirements.
• Ensure all contracted work is completed safely and to the required standard.

Financial Management

• Prepare and manage project budgets and expenditure forecasts.
• Track capital expenditure against approved budgets.
• Support purchase order creation, invoice approvals, and project financial reporting.
• Deliver projects within approved financial parameters.

Essential Qualifications & Experience

• HND, Degree, or equivalent qualification in Mechanical, Chemical, Process, Electrical, or related Engineering discipline.
• Minimum 3+ years’ experience delivering engineering projects within manufacturing, chemical, industrial, logistics, or process environments.
• Demonstrable experience managing capital projects through the full project lifecycle.
• Strong understanding of project management principles including scope, cost, schedule, risk, and stakeholder management.
• Experience producing engineering specifications and technical documentation.
• Ability to interpret engineering drawings, P&IDs, and layout drawings.
• Experience managing contractors and suppliers.
• Proficient in Microsoft Project or equivalent project planning software.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Full UK Driving Licence.

Desirable Qualifications & Experience

• APM Project Management Qualification (PMQ) or equivalent recognised project management certification.
• Experience within chemical distribution, COMAH, manufacturing, or process industries.
• Knowledge of Management of Change (MOC) processes.
• HAZOP participation or facilitation experience.
• AutoCAD or equivalent CAD software proficiency.
• Experience with Computerised Maintenance Management Systems (CMMS).
• Chartered Engineer (CEng) status or working towards chartership.

Key Competencies

• Project Management
• Capital Project Delivery
• Stakeholder Management
• Contractor Management
• Budget Control
• Risk Management
• Process Safety Awareness
• Technical Problem Solving
• Planning and Organisation
• Communication and Influencing Skills
• Continuous Improvement

What Success Looks Like

The successful Project Engineer will:

• Deliver multiple projects safely, on time, and within budget.
• Build strong working relationships across operations, maintenance, procurement, and site leadership teams.
• Improve operational efficiency through well-executed engineering solutions.
• Uphold Brenntag’s high standards of safety, compliance, and engineering excellence.
• Contribute to the successful delivery of the UK & Ireland capital investment programme.