Fitness For Service - FEA Engineer | 15+ Years

01 Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates, Inc.; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 116,000 - 193,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health plans

401(k) matching

Time off

Job summary

Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates (WJE) in Houston seeks an analytical yet practical FEA Engineer with 15+ years of experience specializing in Fitness For Service assessments of pressure vessels, piping, and process equipment. You will lead nonlinear analyses and provide repair/ replacement strategies as an Engineer of Record when needed.

The role combines technical leadership with project management, client interaction, and mentorship within WJE’s Metallurgy & Applied Mechanics practice,

Qualifications

• 15+ years of experience in analytical FEA for safety-critical Fitness For Service assessments.
• Experience with codes/standards (API 579, ASME FFS-1).
• Ability to lead and mentor engineers, perform project management and client interaction.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical leadership in nonlinear analysis and fieldwork.
• Lead client-facing evaluations and deliver technically robust reports.
• Manage project scope, schedules, and budgets; mentor junior staff.

Skills

FEA

Nonlinear analysis

Project management

Client liaison

Mentoring

Education

PE license or eligible

Bachelor's degree in engineering

Master's or PhD a plus

Tools

Abaqus FEA

Finite element analysis

Job description

WJE Houston is seeking an analytical yet practical FEA Engineer with 15+ years of experience specializing in safety-critical Fitness For Service (FFS) assessments of pressure vessels, piping, and other process-related equipment. This doer-manager role is an integral part of WJE's Metallurgy & Applied Mechanics practice. You’ll lead evaluations of fracture, fatigue, corrosion and other damage mechanisms for process equipment; perform complex, nonlinear finite element analyses (FEA) to inform recommendations and stakeholder (run-repair) decision‑making; and specify repair designs, alterations, and/or replacement strategies. As a project manager for WJE, you will work directly with clients, contractors, and other consultants from day one. As an employee‑owner at WJE, you will have the autonomy to shape your career while mentoring the next generation of engineers. You will be supported by an organization offering stability, industry‑leading benefits, dedicated administrative resources, a collaborative and interdisciplinary environment, and access to WJE’s collective expertise and state‑of‑the‑art laboratory and testing capabilities.

Learn more about the Extraordinary People we hire at WJE at www.wje.com/careers.

People with outstanding Character, unwavering Commitment to our core and culture, strong Expertise, and genuine Enthusiasm for their work.

Responsibilities

• Technical leadership, including self‑performing and advising others in complex, nonlinear analysis, hands‑on fieldwork, and preparation of technically excellent client deliverables, including written reports;
• Leveraging a principles‑first approach to develop practical solutions for challenging engineering problems in combination with a deep understanding of codes, standards, and historical industry practices;
• Providing high‑quality technical reviews of work completed by others;
• Sealing project documents as the Engineer of Record, as appropriate;
• Project management, including client development, project scoping, assembling and managing project teams, maintaining project schedules, budgets, and financials, and managing internal and external client expectations and deliverables;
• Contributions to practice development and company‑wide objectives, including proactively fostering new and existing client relationships in pursuit of project work you are excited about;
• Engaging the next generation of WJE professionals;
• Collaborating with practice leaders on knowledge‑sharing and training initiatives;
• Participating in industry organizations, conferences, and technical committees;
• Mentorship, including exemplifying WJE’s culture of shared destiny and knowledge sharing to better the team around you: locally and company‑wide, formally and informally, on‑and‑off projects;
• Providing technical safety support and configuration to client‑based design teams;
• Acting as the primary point of contact for any data or analysis related inquiries.

Qualifications

• Licensed Professional Engineer (PE) or ability to obtain Bachelor's degree or higher in aerospace, civil/structural, mechanical engineering, or related field;
• Master’s degree or PhD a plus;
• Minimum fifteen years of relevant industry experience within petrochemical, refining, power generation, upstream, midstream, mining, or other heavy industrial markets with demonstrated expertise in Level 3 assessment in accordance with API 579 / ASME FFS-1 Fitness-For-Service Standard, fracture mechanics, fatigue, and damage mechanism assessment;
• Nonlinear finite element analysis (FEA) for steel, concrete, and other construction materials;
• ABAQUS (Abaqus FEA) preferred;
• Design, repairs/alterations, and reliability of fixed equipment, pressure vessels, and piping;
• Dedicated self‑starter, motivated to contribute to the growth of an expanding consulting practice based on a "principles first" problem‑solving approach;
• Excellent technical, graphical, written, and verbal communication skills.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to travel and attend meetings at various office, field, and plant sites;
• Ability to perform inspections of process equipment and other structures, both visually and with instruments;
• Ability to safely work at heights, in confined spaces, and in a variety of occupationally hazardous locations, including outdoors with exposure to temperature extremes;
• Ability to safely use and/or operate ladders, scaffolds, lifts, and other access equipment;
• Ability to lift and carry materials, tools, and other heavy equipment up to 50 lbs;
• Medically fit to utilize respiratory protection devices and other forms of personal protective equipment;
• Ability to drive and safely operate a motor vehicle;
• Ability to obtain a Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) and authorization to work and travel throughout the United States without restrictions.

Culture, Compensation, and Benefits

The WJE is a global firm of engineers, architects, and materials scientists. Clients worldwide seek our expertise to solve the most significant, interesting, and challenging problems in the built world. Our applied experience from more than 200,000 projects combined with unparalleled laboratory and testing capabilities have made WJE a leader in providing innovative yet practical solutions to the clients we serve. Working at WJE is a team endeavor characterized by a culture of trust and personal responsibility. We encourage open communication, continuous learning, innovative thinking, ongoing mentoring, and free‑flowing collaboration. We seek highly talented and hard‑working individuals who want to be challenged, who want hands‑on work, who want to set a higher standard, and who want to be mentored by the industry’s most accomplished experts.

• Base salary range: $115,650.00 - $192,750.00;
• Variable compensation based on personal and company performance, typically resulting in above-market total compensation;
• Robust and affordable health plans for employees and their families, including HSA as well as low and high‑deductible PPO options;
• Generous 401(k) matching of 110% for the first 6% of eligible pay, vesting immediately;
• Time off to care for yourself and others;
• Investments in employees’ educational assistance and professional development;
• Learn more about WJE’s total rewards package here.

WJE is an Equal Opportunity Employer as to all protected groups, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.

WJE will consider qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of Fair Chance Ordinances.

Founded in 1956, Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates (WJE) is an interdisciplinary firm of engineers, architects, and materials scientists committed to helping clients solve, repair, and avoid problems in the built world.