We are seeking an experienced Commissioning Process Lead to support the commissioning and start-up of a major industrial gas and low-carbon hydrogen project.
The project incorporates large-scale hydrogen production, autothermal reforming (ATR), carbon capture, air separation and associated industrial gas infrastructure supplying a world-scale ammonia facility and other Gulf Coast customers.
The Commissioning Process Lead will provide process engineering leadership through pre-commissioning, commissioning, start-up, performance testing and transition to stable operations. This individual will work closely with Commissioning, Operations, Process Engineering, Controls, Mechanical, Electrical, Instrumentation, Construction, OEM and EPC personnel to safely bring complex process systems into operation.
Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering, Process Engineering or a closely related engineering discipline preferred.
- Extensive experience in process engineering, commissioning and/or plant start-up within refining, petrochemical, chemical, hydrogen, ammonia, syngas or industrial-gas facilities.
- Demonstrated experience commissioning major process units on large capital projects.
- Strong knowledge of PFDs, P&IDs, process controls, operating procedures and process safety systems.
- Hands-on experience taking systems from mechanical completion through commissioning and stable operation.
- Strong troubleshooting capability during dynamic start-up conditions.
- Experience working with EPC contractors, licensors, equipment vendors and plant operations teams.
- Knowledge of process safety, PSSR, MOC, LOTO and commissioning safety practices.
- Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced field environment with multiple disciplines and contractors.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
Key Responsibilities
- Serve as the lead process engineering resource within the commissioning and start-up organization.
- Provide technical leadership during system turnover, pre-commissioning, commissioning, start-up, stabilization and performance testing.
- Develop, review and execute commissioning and start-up procedures for major process systems.
- Establish and validate process commissioning sequences, operating envelopes and start-up/shutdown philosophies.
- Review PFDs, P&IDs, cause-and-effect diagrams, control narratives, operating procedures and vendor documentation from a commissioning and operability perspective.
- Support systemization, subsystem definition, turnover packages and mechanical-completion-to-commissioning handover.
- Participate in P&ID walkdowns and verify system readiness prior to introduction of process fluids.
- Lead or support line-up verification, flushing, purging, inerting, leak testing, catalyst-related activities and initial introduction of feed/process gases as applicable.
- Provide process oversight during initial equipment operation and plant start-up.
- Work closely with control systems and operations personnel during loop commissioning, interlock testing, permissive testing and functional testing.
- Support commissioning and start-up of rotating equipment and major packaged/process equipment from a process perspective.
- Troubleshoot process, equipment and control issues encountered during commissioning and start-up.
- Analyze operating data and recommend adjustments required to achieve safe, stable and optimized operation.
- Coordinate resolution of technical issues with engineering, vendors/OEMs, construction and operations.
- Participate in process safety reviews, PSSR activities, MOC processes and commissioning risk assessments.
- Ensure process systems are commissioned in accordance with approved procedures, design intent, applicable codes and project HSE requirements.
- Support plant performance testing and verification of process guarantees.
- Capture commissioning lessons learned and assist with turnover of operating knowledge and documentation to the permanent operations organization.
Desired Process Experience
Strong candidates will have significant commissioning/start-up experience involving one or more of the following:
- Autothermal reforming (ATR)
- Steam methane reforming (SMR)
- Syngas / synthesis gas
- Air separation units (ASU)
- Carbon capture / CO2 compression
- Refining or petrochemical process units
- Large compressors and rotating equipment