Project Associate

Koch Business Solutions, LP; Katy (TX); On-site; USD 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

Optimized Process Designs (OPD), a Koch Engineered Solutions company, seeks a Project Associate in Katy, TX to support EPC project teams across lifecycle. This entry‑level opportunity develops project management, controls, and delivery skills while collaborating with engineers, procurement, and construction professionals to ensure safe, efficient project execution.

You will assist with planning, tracking, document control, status reporting, and communications, while learning project management

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree completed by May 2027.
• Ability to create and review design drawings and calculations.
• Eligible to work permanently in the United States for any employer without requiring a visa transfer or sponsorship.

Responsibilities

• Support project teams with coordination and execution activities across multiple EPC projects
• Assist with project planning, tracking, and reporting activities to help ensure project objectives are achieved
• Organize and maintain project documentation, meeting notes, action items, and project records
• Participate in project team meetings and communicate follow-up items with internal stakeholders
• Collaborate with engineering, procurement, and construction teams to support project deliverables
• Track project progress and assist with status reporting, presentations, and project communications
• Support project data management and continuous improvement initiatives
• Develop an understanding of project management principles, project controls, and EPC project delivery processes
• Identify opportunities to improve workflows, processes, and team effectiveness
• Build strong working relationships across project teams while contributing to a culture of safety, compliance, and operational excellence

Skills

Project coordination

Cross-functional collaboration

Data analysis

Process improvement

Education

Bachelor's or Master's degree (Business/Construction Management/Engineering/PM)

Tools

Excel

Power BI

Copilot

Job description

Your Job

Optimized Process Designs (OPD), a Koch Engineered Solutions company, is seeking a motivated and detail-oriented Project Associate to join our team in Katy, TX.

This early career opportunity is designed for recent graduates interested in developing project management and project execution experience within the engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) industry. In this role, you will support cross-functional project teams throughout the lifecycle of large-scale natural gas and petrochemical facility projects while building foundational knowledge of project management, project controls, and EPC project delivery.

You will collaborate with project managers, engineers, procurement specialists, construction professionals, and other stakeholders to help deliver projects safely, efficiently, and successfully.

This role is located in Katy, TX. This role is not eligible for VISA sponsorship.

Our Team

At OPD, we specialize in engineering and construction within the natural gas, natural gas liquids, and petrochemical industries. We offer comprehensive services that integrate construction with engineering and procurement, enhancing efficiency and minimizing interface challenges. Since 1980, our commitment to integrity and excellence has earned us a reputation as a preferred partner with our customers. OPDs industry experience, flexibility, and dedication to employee development has created a tight knit, highly productive, team atmosphere that makes OPD a fulfilling place to work.

What You Will Do

• Support project teams with coordination and execution activities across multiple EPC projects
• Assist with project planning, tracking, and reporting activities to help ensure project objectives are achieved
• Organize and maintain project documentation, meeting notes, action items, and project records
• Participate in project team meetings and communicate follow-up items with internal stakeholders
• Collaborate with engineering, procurement, and construction teams to support project deliverables
• Track project progress and assist with status reporting, presentations, and project communications
• Support project data management and continuous improvement initiatives
• Develop an understanding of project management principles, project controls, and EPC project delivery processes
• Identify opportunities to improve workflows, processes, and team effectiveness
• Build strong working relationships across project teams while contributing to a culture of safety, compliance, and operational excellence

Who You Are (Basic Qualifications)

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Business, Construction Management, Engineering, Project Management, or a related field completed by May 2027
• Ability to create and review design drawings and calculations
• Eligible to work permanently in the United States for any employer without requiring a visa transfer or sponsorship

What Will Put You Ahead

• Exposure to engineering, construction, manufacturing, industrial, or energy-related environments
• Internship, co-op, research, leadership, or other professional experience
• Experience analyzing data, tracking progress, or supporting project reporting activities
• Experience using Microsoft Excel, Power BI, Copilot, or other data visualization and productivity tools
• Exposure to project management methodologies, project controls, scheduling, or process improvement initiatives

At Koch companies, we are entrepreneurs. This means we openly challenge the status quo, find new ways to create value and get rewarded for our individual contributions. Any compensation range provided for a role is an estimate determined by available market data. The actual amount may be higher or lower than the range provided considering each candidate's knowledge, skills, abilities, and geographic location. If you have questions, please speak to your recruiter about the flexibility and detail of our compensation philosophy.

Hiring Philosophy

All Koch companies value diversity of thought, perspectives, aptitudes, experiences, and backgrounds. We are Military Ready and Second Chance employers. Learn more about our hiring philosophyhere.

Who We Are

As a Koch Engineered Solutions company, Optimized Process Designs (OPD) provides clients with detailed engineering packages in all disciplines, single-point procurement for all equipment and materials, fabrication and direct-hired construction services throughout the United States. We leverage in-house capabilities and provide services with faster speed to market to help deliver increased cost savings while minimizing risk.

At Koch, employees are empowered to do what they do best to make life better. Learn how ourbusiness philosophyhelps employees unleash their potential while creating value for themselves and the company.

Our Benefits

Our goal is for each employee, and their families, to live fulfilling and healthy lives. We provide essential resources and support to build and maintain physical, financial, and emotional strength - focusing on overall wellbeing so you can focus on what matters most. Our benefits plan includes - medical, dental, vision, flexible spending and health savings accounts, life insurance, ADD, disability, retirement, paid vacation/time off, educational assistance, and may also include infertility assistance, paid parental leave and adoption assistance. Specific eligibility criteria is set by the applicable Summary Plan Description, policy or guideline and benefits may vary by geographic region. If you have questions on what benefits apply to you, please speak to your recruiter.

Additionally, everyone has individual work and personal needs. We seek to enable the best work environment that helps you and the business work together to produce superior results.

Equal Opportunities

Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability and protected veteran status. Except where prohibited by state law, some offers of employment are conditioned upon successfully passing a drug test. This employer uses E-Verify. Please clickherefor additional information. (For Illinois E-Verify information clickhere,aqui, ortu).