Principal Mechanical Engineer [HOU]

Hanwha Ocean EPU; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Hanwha Ocean EPU in Houston seeks a Principal Mechanical Engineer to lead mechanical engineering for FPSO, FLNG, offshore facilities, and topsides packages. You will guide design, data sheets, specifications, and vendor reviews across the full lifecycle from concept through handover.

You will mentor engineers, ensure compliance with ASME/API/ISO/DNV standards, and maintain rigorous technical records while collaborating with global teams and clients.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related discipline.
• Minimum 15 years of mechanical engineering experience in offshore oil and gas, FPSO, FLNG, EPC/EPCI, shipbuilding, or energy plants.
• Experience with offshore topsides or large-scale plant mechanical packages.
• Proven ability to lead multi-disciplinary engineering work across lifecycle stages.
• Strong knowledge of ASME, API, ISO, DNV and project-specific requirements.
• Ability to review and approve technical deliverables and vendor documents.
• Excellent English communication and leadership skills.

Responsibilities

• Provide principal-level technical authority for mechanical scope across offshore and onshore projects.
• Lead selection, design, specification, and technical assurance of systems and equipment packages.
• Prepare and approve key deliverables: specs, datasheets, RFQs, and calculations.
• Guide material selection and ensure compliance with codes and standards.
• Contribute to topsides layout, constructability, operability, and interfaces.
• Lead evaluation of vendor proposals and support audits when required.
• Mentor engineers and promote standards improvements.
• Maintain accurate technical records and project documentation.

Skills

Offshore experience

Project leadership

Mechanical design

Engineering review

Vendor oversight

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering

Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

PV Elite

Compress

HTRI

HYSYS/UniSim

Aspen EDR

AVEVA E3D

Navisworks

Job description

Introduction

At Hanwha Ocean EPU, we empower our people to engineer the future of sustainable energy through meaningful work on cutting-edge offshore, onshore, and global infrastructure projects that create lasting impact for industries and communities worldwide.

Location: Houston, US

Requisition ID: 1676

As we evolve into a comprehensive EPCI(O) solutions provider, our expanding portfolio now spans FPSO, FLNG, floating production units, renewables, onshore power generation, and future centric infrastructure projects. Our globally connected teams collaborate across regions and disciplines to solve complex engineering challenges and deliver world-class end-to-end solutions.

Explore opportunities to be part of our dynamic team at the Energy Plant Unit and contribute to groundbreaking projects that redefine the onshore and offshore industry. #OneEPU

“Build, what matters. Grow, without limits. Power, the future with Hanwha Ocean EPU.”

Position Overview

The Principal Mechanical Engineer is a senior technical authority responsible for leading mechanical engineering and design for offshore and onshore plant projects, with strong focus on FPSO, FLNG, offshore facilities, topsides mechanical systems, and mechanical equipment packages. This role provides expert guidance across the full project lifecycle, including concept, pre‑FEED, FEED, tender, EPCI, detailed design, fabrication, integration, commissioning, and project closeout.

The position acts as a focal point for complex mechanical engineering matters, including equipment selection, specifications, datasheets, material requisitions, technical bid evaluations, vendor document review, design reviews, multidisciplinary interfaces, and resolution of technical issues. The Principal Mechanical Engineer ensures that mechanical deliverables comply with applicable international codes, project requirements, client expectations, classification society requirements, and internal quality standards.

This role requires deep offshore oil and gas engineering expertise, proven experience with mechanical equipment packages and topsides design, and the ability to influence engineering decisions, mentor engineers, and provide technical assurance in a complex global project environment.

Key Responsibility

• Provide principal‑level technical authority for mechanical engineering scope across offshore and onshore plant projects, including FPSO, FLNG, fixed and floating facilities, and topsides modules.
• Lead the selection, design, specification, and technical assurance of mechanical systems, static equipment, and mechanical equipment packages.
• Prepare, review, and approve key engineering deliverables such as equipment lists, specifications, datasheets, RFQs, material requisitions, technical bid evaluations, calculations, and design review inputs.
• Guide material selection studies and ensure designs comply with applicable codes and standards such as ASME, API, ISO, DNV, project specifications, and client requirements.
• Provide expert input to topsides layout development, equipment arrangement, constructability, operability, maintainability, and interface management during early design and execution phases.
• Lead technical evaluation of vendor proposals, attend clarification meetings, review vendor drawings and documents, and support vendor audits or manufacturing facility visits when required.
• Resolve complex technical issues arising during tender, concept, FEED, EPCI, fabrication, integration, installation, commissioning, or handover phases.
• Participate in engineering risk assessments, design reviews, technical queries, management of change, and multidisciplinary interface coordination.
• Mentor lead, senior, and junior engineers, review their work for accuracy and completeness, and contribute to continuous improvement of mechanical engineering standards and processes.
• Maintain accurate technical records and ensure mechanical documentation meets project control, QA/QC, and formal issue requirements.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related engineering discipline.
• Minimum 15 years of mechanical engineering experience, including significant experience in offshore oil and gas, FPSO, FLNG, EPC, EPCI, shipbuilding, or energy plant projects.
• Extensive experience in mechanical systems, static equipment, and mechanical equipment packages for offshore topsides or large‑scale plant projects.
• Proven track record leading complex engineering work across concept, pre‑FEED, FEED, tender, detailed design, construction support, commissioning, or project delivery phases.
• Strong knowledge of international design codes and standards such as ASME, API, ISO, DNV, and project‑specific technical requirements.
• Ability to review and approve technical deliverables including specifications, datasheets, RFQs, technical bid evaluations, vendor documents, drawings, calculations, and engineering studies.
• Demonstrated ability to lead technical issue resolution, influence stakeholders, and provide sound engineering decisions under schedule, cost, quality, and safety constraints.
• Excellent written and verbal English communication skills and ability to work effectively with clients, vendors, shipyards, engineering offices, and multidisciplinary project teams.
• High level of professionalism, integrity, adaptability, and accountability in a dynamic global project environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related discipline.
• Prior experience at a top‑tier FPSO, FLNG, offshore contractor, EPC/EPCI contractor, or global engineering organization.
• Proficiency with engineering software and tools such as PV Elite, Compress, HTRI, HYSYS/UniSim, Aspen EDR, AVEVA E3D, Navisworks, or equivalent tools.
• Experience conducting vendor audits, manufacturing facility visits, technical risk assessments, design reviews, and multidisciplinary interface reviews.
• Experience mentoring engineering teams and developing corporate or project‑specific mechanical engineering standards.
• International project experience and willingness to travel as required.

Diversity and Inclusion

Hanwha believes that diversity and inclusion are vital to our success. We believe that by embracing different ideas and approaches, we enhance our ability to deliver the best results for our employees, our environment, and ultimately our business partners and customers. We foster a culture where all colleagues are able to share their passions and ideas in order that we may collectively embrace and overcome the challenges in our industry, and work toward a brighter future.

Hanwha is an Equal Opportunity / Afformative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or veteran status, age, or any other federally protected class.

Nearest Major Market: Houston