Compressor Lead

Occidental Petroleum Corporation; United States; On-site; USD 95,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

Occidental Petroleum Corporation in the United States is seeking an experienced Compressor Mechanic Supervisor to lead mechanical maintenance at our gas processing facility. You will supervise technicians and contractors, ensure compressor reliability, and coordinate planned, corrective, and emergency work to support safe plant operations.

You will review performance data, mentor staff, uphold safety standards, and maintain CMMS records.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of industrial mechanical maintenance experience.
• 2+ years in supervisory or crew-lead roles.
• Experience with reciprocating or centrifugal compressors.
• Reading mechanical drawings and OEM manuals.
• Knowledge of permit-to-work and lockout/tagout.
• Valid driver’s license and overtime availability.

Responsibilities

• Supervise mechanics and contractors; set priorities and provide direction.
• Maintain reciprocating and centrifugal compressors and related equipment.
• Ensure work complies with safety, environmental, and regulatory requirements.
• Plan pre-job activities, lockout/tagout, and permit reviews.
• Coordinate preventive, predictive, and corrective maintenance with teams.
• Manage maintenance backlog and CMMS documentation.
• Mentor junior staff and foster safety culture.

Skills

Leadership

Maintenance planning

Troubleshooting

Reading P&IDs

Safety compliance

Communication

Education

High school diploma or GED

Tools

CMMS SAP

Job description

Oxy produces, markets and transports oil and natural gas to maximize value and provide resources fundamental to life. The company leverages its global leadership in carbon management to advance lower-carbon technologies and products. Headquartered in Houston, Oxy primarily operates in the United States, Middle East and North Africa. To learn more, visit Oxy Oxy strives to attract and retain talented employees by investing in their professional development and providing rewarding opportunities for personal growth. Our goal is to meet the highest employer standards by ensuring the health and safety of our employees, protecting the environment and positively impacting our communities where we do business.

Position Summary

We are seeking an experienced Compressor Mechanic Supervisor to lead mechanical maintenance activities at our gas processing plant. This role is responsible for safely supervising compressor mechanics and contractors; maintaining the reliability of compression equipment; coordinating planned, corrective, and emergency maintenance; and supporting safe, efficient plant operations.

Key Responsibilities

• Supervise, schedule, and provide technical direction to compressor mechanics, technicians, and contract personnel.
• Lead maintenance and troubleshooting for reciprocating and centrifugal compressors, gas engines, motors, turbines, gearboxes, couplings, bearings, seals, lubrication systems, cooling systems, and related auxiliary equipment.
• Ensure all work is performed in compliance with safety, environmental, process safety, and regulatory requirements.
• Conduct pre-job planning, toolbox talks, JSAs, permit reviews, and lockout/tagout verification.
• Coordinate preventive, predictive, corrective, and emergency maintenance activities with operations, reliability, engineering, and contractors.
• Review equipment performance, vibration trends, oil analysis, operating conditions, alarms, and maintenance history to identify reliability issues.
• Support root cause analysis and implement improvements for recurring failures and unplanned downtime.
• Plan and prioritize work orders, manage maintenance backlog, verify work quality, and ensure accurate CMMS documentation.
• Coordinate contractor activities, major repairs, compressor overhauls, shutdowns, and turnaround work.
• Mentor and develop maintenance personnel while reinforcing a strong safety and accountability culture.
• Maintain accurate inventory of critical compressor parts, consumables, and assigned tools/equipment: Filters, belts, packing, valves, gaskets, seals, lubricants; Ignition components, sensors, control-system spares; Hoses, fittings, regulators, shutdown devices; Engine/compressor rebuild kits and long‑lead spares. Identify critical spares and minimum/maximum levels based on: Equipment population and model commonality; Failure history and maintenance intervals; Lead time and vendor availability; Production consequence of a stockout; Seasonal and planned maintenance needs.
• Creating and Maintaining Maintenance Procedures: Review procedures after significant repairs, equipment modifications, recurring failures, incidents, near misses, or changes in OEM guidance. Validate that existing procedures match current field conditions, equipment configuration, and applicable site standards. Create or update procedures when inadequacies are found. Ensure procedures are safe, executable, technically correct, equipment-specific, and continuously improved. Use knowledge and experience to prevent repeat failures, improve job quality, transfer knowledge to the team, and ensure maintenance work supports reliable and safe operations.
• Mentor junior mechanics on procedure use, quality work practices, troubleshooting, documentation, and proper escalation of deviations.

Required Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED.
• 7+ years of industrial mechanical maintenance experience, preferably in natural gas processing, compression, midstream, refining, petrochemical, power generation, or a similar environment.
• 2+ years of supervisory, lead mechanic, or crew‑lead experience.
• Demonstrated experience with reciprocating and/or centrifugal compressors and associated drivers and auxiliary equipment.
• Working knowledge of precision maintenance practices, including alignment, bearing and seal replacement, torque procedures, equipment teardown/reassembly, and use of precision measuring tools.
• Knowledge of permit-to-work systems, lockout/tagout, hot work, confined‑space entry, line breaking, lifting/rigging, and other industrial safe‑work practices.
• Ability to read and interpret P&IDs, mechanical drawings, OEM manuals, and equipment specifications.
• Experience using a CMMS such as SAP, or similar.
• Valid driver’s license and ability to work overtime, callout, rotating schedules, and emergency response as needed.

Preferred Qualifications

• Technical degree, trade school certification, or formal apprenticeship in industrial maintenance or a related field.
• OEM experience or training with Ariel, Caterpillar, Waukesha, Cummins, Solar, Siemens, Ingersoll Rand, Cooper, Dresser-Rand, or similar equipment.
• Experience with vibration analysis, oil analysis, reliability programs, root cause analysis, shutdowns, turnarounds, and contractor management.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, creed, color, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, disability status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, citizenship status or any other basis as protected by federal, state, or local law.

Employer Brand & Sustainability

Oxy has bold ambitions to achieve net zero and help others do the same. To get there, we'll need great minds ready to unleash big ideas, strong leaders ready to inspire and team players ready to make it happen. Oxy produces energy and essential products to sustain and improve life on our planet. Our experienced teams, located in the United States, Middle East and Africa, are committed to safe and efficient operations and products, and to reducing our carbon footprint and helping others do the same. We are busy developing the big ideas and broad solutions we will need to achieve net zero. Every day, we get closer. And we won't stop until we're there.