Field Operator

Air Products; Al Jubayl; On-site; SAR 180,000 - 260,000; Full time

Job summary

Air Products in Al Jubayl, Eastern Province, Saudi Arabia, seeks a field operations professional to manage SMR-based hydrogen production with emphasis on safety and reliability. You will monitor process variables, adjust equipment, and collaborate with maintenance to ensure continuous, compliant operations.

The role requires a bachelor’s degree in chemical or mechanical engineering or related fields, plus several years of field experience in SMR or similar processes.

Qualifications

• Strong knowledge of SMR based hydrogen or related process operations.
• Experience with field operation in high-hazard chemical plants.
• Ability to communicate across operations and maintenance teams.

Responsibilities

• Operate SMR hydrogen plant units to meet production plans and safety requirements.
• Monitor process variables and adjust valves and controls to maintain parameters.
• Coordinate with maintenance for isolation, purging, and equipment readiness.
• Lead shift handovers with emphasis on safety and anomalies.
• Support shutdown planning and turnaround activities while documenting events.

Skills

SMR process understanding

Mechanical aptitude

Troubleshooting

Clear communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Chemical or Mechanical/ Chemical Process Operations

Associate Technical Degree (2-year certificate) considered

Job description

At Air Products, we reimagine what’s possible. By tapping into the motivation of our people and our collective experience, we create the ideas and innovations that drive us forward. When we come together – where every voice is heard and everyone knows they belong and matter – we create solutions that launch people into space, support lifesaving care in hospitals, and enable the construction of groundbreaking, world scale production facilities.

Reimagine What’s Possible

Principal Accountabilities

Safety, Health & Environment

• Maintain a safe & stable environment. Demonstrate leadership with all Company & Industry safe work processes to prevent all injuries. Ensure proper documentation is maintained for safety related activities.
• Strictly adhere to all Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) requirements, Lockout-Tagout (LOTO) procedures, permit-to-work systems (Hot Work, Confined Space Entry), and safe work practices.
• Participate in and understand Process Hazard Analyses (PHA). Monitor and maintain safety-critical equipment and interlocks. Ensure compliance with process safety, MOC’s, and OPHR requirements.
• Be a certified first responder for plant emergencies, including firefighting, gas leaks, and emergency shutdowns (ESD). Operate firewater monitors and other emergency equipment.
• Ensure all operations comply with environmental permits. Prevent and contain chemical spills. Maintain constant vigilance for hazards.
• Ensure the safety of all operations personnel by utilizing the BHIG Basic Safety Practice program

Technical & Operations

• Operate the Steam Methane Reformer based hydrogen plant with CO2 Removal section & CO2 compression, PSA with Tail Gas compression, Membrane Unit and related utilities as prescribed by the Work Instruction Procedures
• Operate the pipeline network to supply Hydrogen, steam and CO2 to customers’ pipelines safely and efficiently.
• Ensure BHIG standards, and global best practices for EH&S, productivity, reliability, quality, and overall customer services are met.
• Meet the customer’s requirements regarding safety, reliability, product quality, and flexibility regarding product supply. Maintain customer communications and relationships at the ‘field’ level, ensuring customer demand rates are satisfied while maximizing the efficiency and profitability of the facility.
• Follow the Site Work Instruction Manuals for production & supply of Product H2, CO2 & Steam along with other operating and maintenance procedures and checklists to meet the customer’s satisfaction with safety, reliability, product quality, and flexibility of product supply while compliance with requirements.
• Constantly monitor all process variables (flows, temperatures, pressures, levels, analytical values) by regular field rounds. Conduct detailed and timely field rounds to inspect all equipment using sight, sound, smell and by monitoring local gauges and indicators. Make local adjustments to valves, dampers, and controllers as required to maintain process parameters within defined limits. Collect routine process samples from designated points.
• Execute the detailed start up sequence for the entire plant or individual units/loops form a cold condition, warm condition or hot stand by condition, ensuring a smooth & safe transition to full load normal operations. Assist in the commissioning activities of the facility. Actively participate in plant startup and shutdown sequences as per detailed procedures.
• Maintain constant communication with DCS Operator & Shift Supervisor, providing instructions for equipment adjustments, isolation, and rounds.
• Liaise with the maintenance team to co-ordinate equipment preparation for maintenance (isolation, purging & blinding) and safe taking equipment back in line.
• Conduct detailed and accurate shift handovers with incoming operators, highlighting any abnormalities, ongoing work and special instruction.
• Maintain accurate and timely logs of operating parameters, significant events and production data. Fully accountable to ensure his logs are accurate.
• Identify the root cause of process deviations and equipment malfunction. Work with engineers to implement long-term solutions.
• Suggest and participate in operational improvements and de-bottlenecking projects to enhance safety, reliability and profitability.
• Ensure compliance with all CM, PM tasks & Environmental Regulatory requirements.
• Support and prepare for Shutdown Planning and Turnaround Planning.
• Provide coaching and motivation with the new joiner’s field operators.
• Provide operations support and participate in investigations and Root Cause Analysis to identify & implement sustainable corrective actions.
• Execute other duties as assigned by reporting managers in a timely and efficient manner. Execute operating directives from the Panel Operator to optimize plant performance.

Minimum Requirements And Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in chemical, Mechanical, or Chemical Process Operations with 5 years’ experience preferred. An Associate Technical Degree (2-year certificate) will be considered based on years of experience and competence.
• Experience in Field Operation, with minimum of 5 years in SMR based Hydrogen or Ammonia or Methanol or Syngas plant as Field Operator.
• Strong understanding of SMR process, pressure vessels, heat exchangers, furnaces, and rotating equipment (especially compressors). Strong mechanical aptitude and practical troubleshooting skills.
• Wide technical knowledge in operations, engineering, and maintenance activities
• Ability to maintain high level of awareness and make sound decisions under pressure. Strong problem solving and diagnostic abilities.
• Clear, concise and effective verbal and written communication. Proficiency in English speaking and writing. Able to communicate between operations and maintenance teams.
• A strong commitment to employee involvement, team building and diversity.

Founded in 1940, Air Products is a world-leading industrial gases company and has a proud history of innovation, operational excellence, with an unwavering commitment to safety and environmental stewardship. Working together, we are taking our passion and diverse backgrounds forward to reimagine what’s possible and generate a cleaner future for our customers, our communities, and the world.