Principal Process Engineer

McDermott International, Ltd; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 180,000 - 260,000; Full time

Job summary

McDermott International, Ltd in Houston seeks a Senior Process Engineer to lead complex process design on major projects. You will oversee FEED through detailed design, mentor junior engineers, and ensure technical solutions meet schedule and budget constraints.

Experience in process simulations, PFD and P&ID development, and strong communication across engineering disciplines is essential. This role reports to the Engineering Manager and may lead discipline teams on large scopes.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Engineering.
• 15–20 years oil and gas experience with major contractor/consultant.
• Registered Professional Engineer preferred.
• Detailed knowledge of standards, codes and guidelines.
• Experience supervising engineers and leading disciplines.

Responsibilities

• Perform conceptual, FEED, and detailed analyses and design per design basis and project specs.
• Direct medium to large engineering teams as Lead Engineer on scoped work.
• Plan, organize, and direct all discipline execution on assigned projects.
• Ensure interfaces with other disciplines and timely deliverables.
• Prepare design basis, philosophies, and technical specifications as Lead Engineer.

Skills

Process engineering

Leadership

Mentoring

Project management

Communication

Technical analysis

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s in Engineering

Tools

PFD

P&ID

Process simulations

Job description

Job Overview

P rovides technical leadership and supervise staff assigned to them for major projects. General Description includes complex process engineering design, analysis and development of an assigned scope of work in a McDermott project and/or specific complex deliverables such as conceptual process design, process simulations, heat and material balances, P&ID and PFD development. Work includes, among other things, conceptual studies, cost and planning studies, layouts, design calculations and equipment and material specification. Is able to effectively communicate complex technical solutions and concepts to other engineers and non-engineers. Assists with training other engineers by providing instruction on new technologies and/or a specialization. Mentors junior Process Engineers. Supports the development of new technologies and methods. Is the highest level Engineer position and looked to for technical expertise. Depending on size and complexity of scope of work may be assigned as the Process Engineering Lead for a project. Maintains and promotes a focus on McDermott’s end product whether engineering, fabrication or construction. Ensures effective communications among other engineering disciplines. Ensures effective management of change. Assumes responsibility for cost, schedule, quantity and budget control.

Responsibilities

Key Tasks and Responsibilities

• Perform conceptual, FEED, and detailed analyses and design as per design basis, project specifications, design codes, and standards
• Apply in-depth skills and broad knowledge of the business to address complex problems and nonstandard situations
• Prepare clear and accurate detailed design calculations and analyses including design reports and - procedures
• Manage own time to meet objectives and (as Lead Engineer) forecast and plan resource requirements
• Clearly communicate and explain difficult concepts and persuade others to adopt a point of view
• When acting as Lead Engineer, in addition:
• • Direct medium or large Engineering team as a Lead Engineer
  • Lead the Discipline engineering design of the assigned work area and completed within the planned schedule and budget, in accordance with standards, MDR, and project-specific procedures and to a high professional standard
  • Plan, organize, and direct all aspects of Discipline execution on the assigned project including scope, deliverables, schedule, and all manpower resources - agree allocations with the Discipline Manager
  • Ensure interfaces and deliverables are clearly identified
  • Maintain responsibility for progress and productivity, identifying any required corrective action
  • Act as project representative for Discipline during meetings with the Project Team, Customer discipline lead, and relevant agencies such as certifying authorities, auditors, third parties, etc.
• Become fully familiar with the project scope of work, specifications, schedule, and all inter-discipline requirements; including identifying concerns as early as practicable and taking appropriate initiatives to address the issues
• Interpret contractual requirements as they relate to engineering execution
• Identify changes to scope and promptly raise change notifications, including providing any necessary supporting documentation and estimates
• Provide similar support for Variation Orders
• Interface with all disciplines to develop clash-free designs
• Interface with other departments to obtain input for Discipline designs and drawings
• Maintain close coordination with other engineering disciplines, Planning, and Project Management Teams, as required
• Document substantive communications (communications that result in significant decisions or assignment of actions) and forward copies to the Discipline Lead Engineer and Discipline Manager
• Prepare estimates for bid proposals, including technical query reviews, execution statements, and work-hour estimates, identifying software requirements and any other project-specific requirements
• Prepare bids and project's Discipline engineering budget and execution plans, updating as required
• Raise technical queries to obtain missing information, clarify work scope, and maintain preferred McDermott procedures, specifications, standards, practices, and operational requirements
• Prepare, review and (as Lead Engineer) approve Discipline engineering design basis, philosophies, and technical specifications
• Participate in finalizing deliverables lists and deliverables, ensuring compliance with specifications and functional integrity
• Review project schedule and fabrication schedule about construction sequence, milestones, and engineering scope
• Attend project kickoff and review meetings, vendor meetings, engineering meetings, and offshore site surveys, as required
• Provide technical direction and review of Designers producing products related to Process Engineering
• Prepare, review, and (as Lead Engineer) approve design reports and procedures
• Assist in providing necessary design inputs to other disciplines to enable them to proceed with their deliverables
• Review and (as Lead Engineer) approve vendor and subcontractor submittals, checking for compliance with project specifications and providing comments as necessary
• Present issues and problems to Customers promptly and assist the Lead Engineer in negotiating resolution by project and company requirements
• Guide less experienced engineers on MDR and Discipline procedures, standards, worksheets, design calculations, software, requisitions, technical bid evaluations, technical queries, etc.
• Supervise and guide assigned engineers and coordinate with project Lead Designers for Discipline engineering and design deliverables
• Monitor costs of own work processes
• Responsible for the engineering integrity of the assigned work area
• Develop communication and presentation skills (e.g., write technical papers, participate in conferences and/or seminars, present design solutions and/or present topics at lunch and learns; etc.)
• Responsible for checking the following key deliverables, applicable as per the Project scope:
• • Process simulations / Heat and material balances
  • Process flow diagrams (PFD)
  • Piping and instrument diagrams (P&ID)
  • Equipment and instrument process datasheets
  • Process specifications
  • Operating philosophy and startup and operating manuals
  • Equipment list (process data)
  • Line list (process data)
  • Equipment and line sizing calculations
  • Flare radiation and dispersion calculations
  • Depressurization and flare network studies
  • Process studies
• Provide process assistance to other disciplines by performing IDC / providing inputs as required for the following activities:
• • Layout review
  • Area classification drawings
  • Safety studies
  • Electrical load list
  • Equipment datasheets
  • Instrument datasheets
  • ESD and F&G logic diagrams and control narratives
• Participate in HAZAN, HAZID, HAZOP, and other safety/operability/reliability studies and workshops
• Assist in closing out HAZOP action items
• Lead the Discipline team during project audits (internal, Customer, and third-party technical audits) and Design Reviews
• When acting as Lead Engineer, in addition:
• • Act as project-based Discipline point of contact in communications and meetings with Customer counterparts
  • Ensure substantive communications are documented
  • Identify project staff needs based on knowledge of individual engineers' skill sets and provide requests to the Discipline manager
  • Plan, organize, and assign tasks, responsibilities, and work-hours budgets to the discipline team and verify tasks are completed within budgets
  • Plan Discipline Level 4 detail deliverable schedule/register compliant with the overall execution plan
  • Prepare working forecasts identifying change management plans, corrective action, and real-time schedule
  • Provide Discipline inputs for actual, planning, and forecasting progress reports including associated productivity
  • Alert the project team of any deviation from the scope or a need for a change order
  • Monitor KPI measurement results and take corrective action as necessary to improve Discipline performance, including a performance at interfaces with others
  • Coordinate with other Discipline Lead Engineers and Designers to ensure timely receipt of necessary design inputs
  • Review and approve requisitions, technical quotation evaluations, and queries, compiled bid tabulations and recommendations, and purchase requisitions; and coordinate with Procurement to expedite vendor documents as required
  • Review comments from Customers & other agencies on documents and drawings produced by the team and resolve and give guidance on their update and incorporation
  • Assist the Discipline manager in the preparation of quarterly forecasts and manpower planning
  • Anticipate project engineering needs and plan accordingly
  • Coordinate with vendor for discipline-managed/procured items
  • Assist the Discipline manager and Project Engineering Manager or Project Manager in the Performance Evaluation of project team members

Reports to

Project: Lead Engineer, Project Engineering Manager or Project Manager
Functional: Supervising Department Manager
Liaise with: All Engineering disciplines, Fabrication Group, Safety Department, Project Management Team, Document Control,
Project Planner, Project Cost Controller, QC, Certification Group, Procurement Group, Subcontractors, Vendors, and
Customers
Supervises: Senior Engineers and Engineers

Qualifications

Essential Qualifications and Education

• Bachelor’s Degree or Master’s Degree in Engineering
• 15-20 years of experience in oil and gas with a major contractor or consultant predominantly performing detail design
• Preferably Registered Professional Engineer or member of professional engineering society as applicable
• Detailed knowledge of design techniques and analysis methods and detailed knowledge of the theory, content, and application of standards, codes, and guidelines as applicable
• Knowledgeable in project coordination and execution skills