Lead Equipment & Reliability Engineer - Fixed Equipment

Motiva Enterprises LLC; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

An energy company based in Houston, Texas, is seeking a Lead Fixed Equipment Engineer. This role involves being a senior technical authority responsible for the mechanical integrity and reliability of fixed equipment in refinery operations. Candidates should possess a Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering and have 10+ years of experience in fixed equipment engineering. The role demands strong problem-solving skills, leadership in technical investigations, and expertise with industry codes. Ideal applicants will have a proven ability to enhance inspection programs and lead engineering evaluations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field.
• 10+ years of experience in fixed equipment engineering in a refinery or petrochemical setting.
• Expertise in API 510, 570, and 653 codes and standards.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the technical authority for fixed equipment systems.
• Lead engineering evaluations and root cause analyses.
• Establish and oversee inspection and mechanical integrity programs.
• Provide technical leadership to inspection and maintenance teams.

Skills

Fixed equipment reliability analysis

Technical problem solving

Inspection data analysis

Risk assessments

Mechanical integrity assessments

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

CMMS systems (SAP)

Job description

At Motiva, our employees' energy, passion, and dedication to excellence are what make us who we are and what allows us to generate energy that makes a house a home, gets us from point A to point B, and enables our health and wellbeing. We invest in every aspect of our employees' lives because, at Motiva, our people matter.

Headquartered in Houston, Texas, Motiva refines, distributes and markets petroleum products throughout the Americas. The company's Port Arthur Manufacturing Complex in Port Arthur, TX, is comprised of North America's largest refinery with a total throughput of 720,000 barrels per day, the world's second largest base oil plant, and an integrated chemical plant. Under exclusive long-term brand licenses with Shell and Phillips 66 (for the 76® brand), Motiva's commercial operations supply more than 12 billion gallons of fuel to customers annually. Motiva is wholly owned by Aramco, one of the world's largest integrated energy and chemicals companies.

Position Overview

The Lead Fixed Equipment Engineer serves as a senior technical authority and strategic leader responsible for the mechanical integrity, reliability, and long‑term stewardship of fixed equipment across refinery operations. This role provides expert guidance for pressure vessels, tanks, piping systems, and other stationary mechanical assets and is accountable for technical decision‑making that impacts safety, reliability, regulatory compliance, and asset lifecycle performance.

The Lead Fixed Equipment Engineer directs complex engineering evaluations, establishes inspection and integrity strategies, and leads response efforts for both planned work and emergent operational events. The role influences technical standards, mentors engineers, collaborates across disciplines, and plays a key role in continuous improvement initiatives that strengthen refinery reliability and risk management.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the technical authority for fixed equipment systems, including pressure vessels, tanks, piping, and associated mechanical assets
• Lead complex engineering evaluations, root cause analyses, and technical problem solving related to fixed equipment reliability, failures, and emergent operational events
• Establish, oversee, and continuously improve inspection and mechanical integrity programs to ensure compliance with API, ASME, and regulatory requirements
• Provide technical leadership and direction to inspection, maintenance, and operations teams and influence work prioritization and repair strategies
• Champion and govern the Management of Change process for fixed equipment modifications, ensuring technical rigor and effective risk mitigation
• Lead fixed‑equipment scope development and provide technical support for turnarounds and major maintenance events, including inspection planning and issue resolution
• Lead or support health, safety, environmental, and reliability investigations involving fixed equipment; prepare technical reports and drive corrective actions to closure
• Review, evaluate, and guide the performance of third‑party inspectors, contractors, and engineering service providers
• Identify and drive continuous improvement opportunities related to asset integrity, inspection effectiveness, and reliability programs
• Mentor early‑career engineers through technical coaching and knowledge sharing

Experience and Qualifications

Required Education and Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related engineering discipline
• Ten or more years of progressive experience in fixed equipment engineering within a refinery, petrochemical, or heavy industrial environment
• Demonstrated expertise with applicable codes and standards, including API 510, 570, and 653, as well as ASME Section VIII and ASME B31.3
• Proven experience leading equipment troubleshooting, inspections, failure analysis, and mechanical integrity assessments
• Strong working knowledge of inspection data analysis, risk assessments, and integrity management practices
• Ability to lead structured technical investigations and influence decisions across multiple stakeholder groups

Preferred Education and Experience

• 15+ years of experience preferred.
• API certifications (510, 570, or 653) and/or NDE Level II/III credentials.
• Experience supporting turnarounds and major maintenance events.
• Working knowledge of CMMS systems such as SAP.
• Familiarity with RBI (Risk‑Based Inspection) methodology and tools.
• Strong collaboration, communication, and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Demonstrated success driving continuous improvement initiatives.