Project Engineer (Senior/Staff) - Power & Automation

Williams-Sonoma; Houston (TX); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Williams in Houston seeks a Project Engineer (Senior/Staff) to apply expertise across power, automation, and facility systems, leading projects of increasing scope and complexity while driving reliability and innovation.

The role emphasizes independent work, collaboration with cross-functional teams, and influencing engineering decisions and long-term strategy within a Fortune 500 environment.

Qualifications

• ABET-accredited engineering degree required with extensive engineering experience in natural gas, data centers or related industry.
• PE License preferred; Master’s degree in engineering desirable.
• Operational Power Plant experience is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Lead complex engineering work across disciplines and environments.
• Support design, construction and optimization of facilities and systems.
• Analyze performance and implement reliability improvements.
• Develop safety-focused engineering standards and processes.
• Lead or contribute to high-scope projects and mentor staff.

Skills

Power systems

Automation

Project leadership

Maintenance planning

Analytical thinking

Education

ABET accredited engineering degree

PE License

Master's degree in engineering

Tools

PLCs

Monitoring systems

Outage coordination tools

Job description

At Williams, we're powering a cleaner, more connected future, and that starts with you. Here, your work fuels communities, drives innovation, and helps deliver reliable energy the world depends on. Join a Fortune 500 team that invests in your growth, values your contributions, and challenges you to make a lasting impact every day.

As a Project Engineer (Senior/Staff) - Power & Automation, you will apply your expertise across complex engineering systems to support and enhance critical infrastructure. You will work independently while leading projects of increasing scope and complexity, driving operational reliability, and contributing to innovation across power, automation, and facility systems. This role requires strong technical judgment, collaboration, and the ability to influence engineering decisions and long-term strategy.

Responsibilities / Expectations

• Perform and lead complex engineering work across a range of disciplines and operational environments
• Support the evaluation, design, construction, and optimization of new and existing facilities and systems
• Analyze equipment and system performance; identify and implement reliability and efficiency improvements
• Support and enhance Power & Automation initiatives, including system performance, maintenance strategies, and integration of automation tools
• Develop and maintain engineering standards, processes, and best practices with a strong focus on safety and compliance
• Interpret business and operational needs; recommend solutions that improve performance, cost efficiency, and reliability
• Lead or contribute to projects of increasing scope and complexity (Staff level: lead large-scale, high-impact initiatives)
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver solutions aligned with business and operational goals
• Select and optimize equipment to maximize availability and minimize operational risk
• Support the permitting process by providing key technical inputs
• Support development, construction and outage planning, maintenance activities, and system troubleshooting efforts
• Participate in design reviews, management of change (MOC), and system implementation activities
• Prepare and deliver presentations; communicate technical insights and influence stakeholders (Staff level expectation)
• Mentor and support development of engineers and technical staff
• Manage or support project resources, timelines, and cost considerations as applicable
• Other duties as assigned

Education / Experience

Staff:

• Required: Bachelor's degree in engineering field from an ABET accredited college or university and twelve (12) - (15) fifteen years engineering experience in natural gas, data centers or related industry
• Preferred: PE License
• Preferred: Master's degree in engineering
• Preferred: Operational Power Plant experience

Senior:

• Required: Bachelor's degree in engineering field from an ABET accredited college or university and eight (8) years engineering experience in natural gas, data centers or related industry
• Preferred: PE License
• Preferred: Master's degree in electrical engineering
• Preferred: Operational Power Plant experience

Other Requirements

• Experience supporting industrial infrastructure, power systems, and/or automation environments
• Ability to analyze system performance and implement reliability improvements
• Experience supporting maintenance programs, outage coordination, and operational systems
• Familiarity with automation and control environments (e.g., PLCs, monitoring systems)
• Strong organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills
• Ability to work independently while contributing to and leading technical efforts

Preferred

• Project management experience
• Experience supporting Pre-FEED, FEED, or EPC projects
• Experience developing training programs or supporting technical skill development
• Experience supporting MOC processes and system improvements

Day in the Life - As part of the Power & Automation team, you will lead the design and optimization of process and mechanical systems supporting turbine selection, fuel gas systems and balance of plant. You will play a key role in advancing Power Innovation initiatives, integrating emerging technologies, enhancing system reliability, and shaping the future of energy delivery. This is a high-impact role where you will operate with increasing independence while leading complex projects and influencing engineering standards and practices.

Why Houston?

Big career opportunities in one of the world's energy capitals, endless food spots and a diverse vibe-all without paying NYC or LA prices. Work hard, live better. Check out Houston.org to learn more.

We invest in our people in ways that actually show up in your day-to-day, not just on paper. Our Total Rewards are built to support how you work, live, and plan for what's next.

Here's a look at what that means:

• Strong pay plus an annual incentive program
• Hybrid work for most office roles, plus real flexibility in many field positions
• Medical, dental, and vision coverage with