Maintenance Engineer

Kern Energy; Bakersfield (CA); On-site; USD 95,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Kern Energy seeks a Maintenance Engineer to deliver efficient, economical engineering services ensuring refinery maintenance projects are designed, constructed, and commissioned for safe, reliable operation. The role emphasizes PSM/MOC, mechanical integrity programs, regulatory compliance, and oversight of budgets and schedules for turnarounds.

You will lead multi-department coordination, manage scope, costs, and schedules, and drive continuous improvement through CMMS usage and performance

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering.
• 3–10 years of refining experience.

Responsibilities

• Maintain understanding of industry standards and codes (API, NFPA, ASME, OSHA).
• Develop AFEs for refinery maintenance projects and turnarounds.
• Oversee maintenance projects and turnarounds: planning, budgeting, scheduling, cost control.
• Manage mechanical, electrical, and civil construction design aspects.
• Interface with operations, environmental, and inspection teams on compliance.
• Keep projects on schedule and within budget, ensuring safe commissioning.
• Communicate deviations in schedule, budgets, or safety impacts clearly.
• Participate in MOC, PSSR, PHA reviews; drive continuous improvement via metrics.
• Utilize CMMS to generate work orders and document actions.

Skills

Electrical systems

Mechanical systems

HVAC

Problem solving

Communication

Teamwork

CMMS

Maintenance planning

Project coordination

Safety regulations

Troubleshooting

MS Office

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

CMMS software

MS Office

Job description

Job Details: Level: Experienced, Job Location: Corporate Office - Bakersfield, CA 93307, Position Type: Full Time, Education Level: 4 Year Degree, Salary Range: $95,000.00 - $120,000.00 Salary, Travel Percentage: None, Job Shift: Day, Job Category: Engineering, Position Summary

Kern Energy is seeking a Maintenance Engineer who will be responsible for providing efficient, economical, and high-quality engineering services to ensure refinery maintenance projects are designed, constructed, and commissioned for safe and reliable operation to meet the business objectives of the company. This includes compliance with the company's objectives, including the PSM/MOC and mechanical integrity programs, regulatory and industry standards compliance, preparation and tracking of project budgets and schedules, and project management, including planning and scheduling refinery turnarounds with input from multiple departments. The successful candidate will exhibit Kern's core values of Teamwork, Safety, Excellence, Integrity, and Connection.

Job Function

• Maintain a good understanding of industry standards, regulations, and codes, including API, NFPA, ASME, OSHA, and local, state, and federal regulations.
• Develop Appropriations for Expenditures (AFEs) for refinery maintenance projects and turnarounds.
• Develop, manage, and oversee maintenance projects and turnarounds. Manages activities, including project and turnaround planning, budgeting, scheduling, forecasting, resource allocation, and cost control. Prepares scopes of work, requests quotations, and secures estimates and cost quotes as needed.
• Manage and oversee all aspects of maintenance projects, including mechanical, electrical, and civil construction design. Oversee project construction and turnaround activities.
• Interface with operations, environmental, and inspection departments on compliance, scope, startup, and commissioning.
• Be held accountable for keeping projects on schedule and on budget while meeting design objectives and ensuring projects are completed safely and are commissioned for safe and reliable operations.
• Effectively communicate any deviations to projects and turnaround schedules, budgets, original design intents, or any impacts to safety or reliability.
• Participate in maintenance coverage of turnaround activity oversight.
• Participate in operating manual input, MOC development, PSSR implementation, PHA reviews, and recommendations.
• Responsible for driving continuous improvement of the maintenance department through the use of established performance metrics (schedule compliance, planning accuracy, etc.)
• Provide repair project planning based on inspection recommendations for corrective actions on deficient equipment.
• Ensure the Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS) is utilized to generate appropriate work orders for projects and turnarounds and documentation is properly uploaded.
• Minimizes costs and disruption to the refinery caused by maintenance projects and repair activities.
• Interface across the entire organization as relates to maintenance and turnarounds.
• Schedule and attend turnaround meetings with various departments to develop turnaround scope and work list.
• Interface with contractors and material procurement contractors to ensure materials and manpower are available and meet requirements.
• Provide daily progress updates and analysis for ongoing turnarounds.
• Provide post-turnaround analysis to drive continuous improvement.
• Communicate both written and verbally across the entire organization and with equipment manufacturers, contractors, and vendors.
• Works extended hours, including nights and weekends, in a process operations environment and during periods of inclement weather. Accesses areas of the refinery requiring the use of stairs and/or ladders to inspect critical processes and mechanical equipment, including periods of inclement weather.
• Respond to upset conditions during off hours.
• Document information in the Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS) for electrical, instrumentation, and process control systems and equipment.

Qualifications: Knowledge Skills

• Strong knowledge of electrical and mechanical systems, including HVAC, plumbing, and electrical systems.
• Excellent problem-solving skills and the ability to troubleshoot complex equipment issues.
• Strong communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Familiarity with maintenance management software and tools.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and manage multiple priorities.
• Understanding of relevant health and safety regulations and codes.
• Proficient project coordination and management skills are required.
• Demonstrated advanced communication, interpersonal, technical, and organizational skills.
• Ability to interact well with internal and external contacts required.
• Must have excellent computer skills as demonstrated by the ability to compile and present information and data utilizing Microsoft Office.
• Ability to learn other job-specific applications as required.
• Ability to handle multiple priorities, remain focused and organized, delegate responsibilities, and manage the work activities of others.
• Possess strong knowledge of refinery process equipment.

Education/ Experience

• Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering
• 3 to 10 years experience in Refining or a closely related field