Engineer, Process Optimization

NextDecade Payroll Services, LLC; Brownsville (TX); On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

NextDecade Payroll Services, LLC seeks an Optimization Process Engineer to collaborate across departments to optimize the LNG value chain safely and reliably. Based at the RGLNG facility near Brownsville, TX, this role involves developing tools, monitoring production, and guiding commissioning, start-up, and steady-state operations.

The ideal candidate has 5+ years LNG experience, an engineering degree, and the ability to work a dayshift with off-hour support as needed.

Qualifications

• Engineering degree or extensive engineering experience focused on process engineering or operations.
• Minimum 5 years LNG experience.
• Ability to obtain Transportation Worker Identification Credentials (TWIC).
• Experience in plant optimization and extensive natural gas/LNG process operations.
• Experience influencing, mentoring, coaching, and supporting a diverse team.

Responsibilities

• Maintain a safety-first attitude and lead safety initiatives.
• Review and monitor performances, deviations, and tools.
• Provide technical guidance to safely optimize the value chain (feed gas, units, production, ship loading, power usage, emissions).
• Review production events, maintain loss database, identify opportunities, validate emission events.
• Contribute to planning activities and benchmarking exercises.
• Maintain Production Databook and ensure SOP adherence.
• Update documents on plant optimization and loss management.
• Collaborate with Engineering on improvement initiatives and projects.
• Provide inputs into MOCs for production optimization and risk reduction.
• Use dynamic simulators to validate improvement recommendations.
• Recommend and facilitate performance tests.
• Travel for meetings/training as needed.

Skills

LNG processes

Optimization

Safety leadership

Data analysis

TWIC readiness

Education

Engineering degree

Tools

Dynamic simulator

APCI liquefaction

Microsoft Office

Maintenance software

Job description

It's fun to work in a company where people truly BELIEVE in what they're doing! We're committed to bringing passion and customer focus to the business.

SUMMARY OF THE ROLE

The Optimization Process Engineer role will collaborate with several departments to optimize the value chain safely, reliably, and sustainably. This includes developing tools, monitoring production, identifying opportunities, and providing technical guidance during commissioning, start‑up, and steady state operations. This position will work a normal dayshift schedule but must be available to provide off‑hour support as needed. This position is located at the RGLNG facility near Brownsville, TX.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Maintain a ‘Safety First’ attitude and be a safety leader.
• Reviewing and monitoring performances, deviations and developing tools.
• Providing technical guidance to safely and sustainably optimize the value chain; feed gas supply, units, production, ship loading, power usage, and minimize emissions.
• Reviewing production events and maintaining the loss database, identifying opportunities, and validating emission events.
• Contributing towards planning activities and benchmarking exercises.
• Maintaining the Production Databook.
• Ensuring compliance with all RGLNG procedures and policies.
• Updating and maintaining documents and procedures related to plant optimization and loss management.
• Adhering to the Operations Department Operations Management System.
• Working closely with the Engineering department in identifying and implementing improvement initiatives, processes, and projects.
• Providing inputs into MOCs relating to production optimization, reductions in production risks and ensuring they are within the RGLNG Safe Operating Envelope.
• Utilizing the dynamic simulator to validate process improvement recommendations.
• Recommending and facilitating performance tests.
• May require travelling for meetings and/or training.

EDUCATION, SKILLS, EXPERIENCE, & COMPETENCIES

• Basic Requirements: Engineering degree or extensive engineering experience with a focus on process engineering or operations.
• Minimum 5 years of LNG experience.
• Ability to acquire Transportation Worker Identification Credentials (TWIC).
• Experience in plant optimization.
• Extensive natural gas and LNG process operations experience.
• Experience in influencing, motivating, mentoring, coaching, and supporting a diverse team.
• Knowledge of APCI liquefaction process.
• Knowledge of applicable codes, standards, and regulations.
• Ability to troubleshoot complex issues.
• Skilled knowledge in providing constructive feedback for continuous development of the tools.
• Highly motivated with time management and organizational skills along with excellent listening and communication skills.
• Computer literate including proficient with Microsoft Office Suite.
• Knowledgeable of computer-based maintenance programmes.
• Adaptability to manage changes in work environment in regard to adhering to updated deadlines or unexpected delays.
• Preferred Requirements: APCI experience highly preferred.
• Experience with dynamic simulations.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Must be able to lift up to 40 pounds unassisted and push/pull with up to 50 pounds of force.
• Required to grip objects with up to 50 pounds of force.
• Frequent standing, walking, balancing, climbing stairs and ladders.
• Regular reaching, bending, stooping, handling and spinal twisting.
• Use of hands, arms and legs to lift.
• Ability to push and pull machinery and other mechanical components.

SITE WORKING CONDITIONS & PHYSICAL EXPECTATIONS

Work Environment

Must be able to wear all necessary PPE equipment to perform job functions. Operates in a complex construction environment.

Exposure to indoor and outdoor weather conditions. Not necessarily protected from weather and temperature changes. Possible exposure to hot, cold, wet, humid, or windy weather conditions. Exposure to moving mechanical parts and electrical circuits. Exposure to constant or intermittent sounds of a pitch level sufficient to cause marked distraction.

Routinely uses standard office and field communications equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers w/scanner and fax, and radios.

Able to meet the following physical demands of the job, with or without reasonable accommodations: Ability to drive to other Company work locations as required.

Ability to move throughout all areas of the facility, including being physically capable of traveling to a designed muster point during emergency situations. Stand and/or sit continuously and perform job functions for a full shift. The incumbent is required to have fully mechanical motion and usage of all extremities. Physically able to walk, stand, bend, stoop, kneel, reach, twist, lift, push, pull, climb, balance, crouch, handle, and lift items weighing up to 20 lbs. without assistance. Visual acuity corrected to perform job functions. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus. Must be able to clearly communicate with others via radio, phone, and verbal methods. May be required to enter confined spaces. May be required to work at elevated heights and access elevated structures without assistance.

OTHER DUTIES

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification document form upon hire.

NEXTDECADE VALUES

• Safety – We make safety a priority. Everything we do relies on the safety of our people and the communities around us.
• Integrity – We do the right thing, and are open, ethical, and fair. We hold ourselves to the highest standards in all that we do.
• Honesty – We value truth and honesty in ourselves and others. We honor our commitments and take responsibility for our actions.
• Respect – We listen, and respect people, the environment, and the communities in which we live and work.
• Transparency – Transparency builds trust. We promote open communication with our people, our customers, and all our stakeholders.
• Diversity – We value diversity of people and thought. It takes people with different strengths, ideas, and cultural backgrounds to make our company succeed.

NextDecade provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all applicants without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, amnesty, or status as a covered veteran in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws. NextDecade complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities.

NextDecade will deliver reliable, cost-effective and sustainable energy solutions. With approximately 48 million tonnes per annum of potential liquefaction capacity currently under construction and under development at its Rio Grande LNG site, NextDecade is positioned to be one of the largest LNG liquefaction and export companies in the world. In addition, NextDecade through Rio Grande LNG, is creating thousands of jobs and driving economic growth in South Texas, supporting global energy security, and expanding U.S. energy dominance. NextDecade’s common stock is listed on the Nasdaq Stock Market under the symbol “NEXT.” NextDecade is headquartered in Houston, Texas. For more information, please visit www.next-decade.com.