Senior Area Electrical Engineer

Messer Americas; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Messer Americas is seeking an experienced Electrical Engineer to support electrical infrastructure across our gas processing plants. The role involves troubleshooting high and low voltage equipment, substation work, and motor control systems, with a focus on safety and reliability.

You will collaborate with maintenance, reliability and project teams to drive major improvements and ensure compliance with NFPA 70E and related standards.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering required.
• 7–10 years of electrical engineering experience in operations support, reliability or installation.
• Travel up to 30–40% (60–80 nights/year).

Responsibilities

• Provide technical, troubleshooting and maintenance support for electrical issues across plants.
• Develop detailed electrical major maintenance work scope, budget and contractor selection.
• Identify and assess CBM tools and practices; review reports and data.
• Support EMOC changes and develop engineering documentation.
• Review electrical PMs, work instructions and procedures for quality.
• Assist field operations during major maintenance, upgrades and plant startups.
• Provide scope, estimates and execution support to Project Execution for capital projects.
• Supervise electrical contractors and ensure quality standards.

Skills

HV substations

Switchgear

Transformers

Motors

Protection systems

NFPA 70E

Troubleshooting

Power quality analysis

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering

Job description

Job Summary

Messer owns and operates a large portfolio of industrial gas plants, including ASU, CO2, H2, He, as well as on-site plants, serving customers within a wide range of industries. Electrical infrastructure is a key component required for operation of these industrial gas plants. This position will report to the Area Maintenance and Reliability Hub Team, supporting the Area Operations Teams, providing technical engineering support and SME recommendations for all of the electrical equipment and infrastructure utilized within the facilities in the area.

Principal Responsibilities

• Provide technical, troubleshooting and maintenance support to all ASU, CO2, H2 and He plants within the fleet for all electrical issues, including 138kV substations, High/Medium/Low voltage switchgear, Motor Control Centers, Variable Frequency Drives, Battery & UPS system, DCS & PLC Controls, large motors up to 35,000HP. Excitation controls, and reduced voltage motor starting equipment.
• Support the Regions with the development of the detailed electrical major maintenance work scope, budget, contractor selection, execution strategy.
• Identify new and assess the effectiveness of existing electrically related condition-based monitoring (CBM) tools, techniques and practices. Review electrically related CBM and reliability reports and data and agree specific actions, as indicated, with the Signature Analysis, Infrared inspection, vibration, ultrasonic, etc.
• Provide electrical technical support, review and approval of changes using the Engineering Management of Change (EMOC) process. Assist local personnel in developing proper engineering documentation for performing any changes.
• Create or review and approving the application of electrical equipment PM's, work instructions, and related procedures. Review the quality and completeness of electrical PM execution at plant location.
• Support operations in the field for major maintenance, upgrades, new plant checkout and commissioning. Perform full loop checks and functional testing of equipment in test position, prior to plant startup. Provide support during plant restart.
• Provide electrical equipment scope, proposal estimates, technical documents and execution support to the Project Execution team for large capital improvements projects and re-life projects.
• Supervise and assess the technical competency of electrical contractors and service providers to ensure proper scope is assigned and the expected quality is received.
• Responsible for understanding, applying and training NFPA 70E to plant personnel as well as reviewing contractor electrical safety practices.
• Perform general electrical training at site locations.

Required Skills

• Demonstrated exceptional operational safety leadership.
• Proven experience in the installation, maintenance and troubleshooting of low/medium/high voltage substations, switchgear, transformers, motors, distribution systems and associated protection and support equipment.
• Proven experience in electrical short circuit analysis, relay protection settings and coordination, power quality analysis, high voltage motor starting schemes and analysis, hazardous area classification and lightning protection.
• Proven effectiveness at trouble shooting electrical issues, identify problem components and interfaces, and execute effective and efficient solutions to restore critical and needed plant control functions.
• General expertise in large high voltage motors and related control systems preferred.
• Working knowledge of National Electrical Code, NFPA 70; National Electrical Testing Assoc, NETA, Maintenance Testing Specifications; Standard for Electrical Safety, NFPA 70E.
• Management by influence - experience delivering results in a highly matrixed organization and the ability to influence others to deliver results.
• Possess strong communications skills and attention to detail.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering required.
• 7-10 years of electrical engineering experience in Operations Support, Reliability or Engineering and Installation of Industrial Process Plants, power distribution required.
• Ability to travel 30-40% (60-80 nights/year)

Benefits

Messer's safety culture, commitment to providing dependable supply and innovative gas technology solutions help customers unlock opportunities to be safer, more sustainable, more productive and more efficient, so their business thrives. We nurture lasting, meaningful relationships with customers, our communities, and with one another.

We offer comprehensive benefits and appreciable pay, with steady schedules and opportunities for ongoing training and career progression. We prioritize and invest in our people at every level of our organization - the dedication, knowledge, customer focus and entrepreneurial spirit of our employees is what make Messer refreshingly different.

If you need assistance with the application or would like to request accommodation, call [phone].

Equal Opportunity Employer

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.