Senior Project Manager

Ecovyst Catalyst Technologies; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 130,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive pay

Full benefit package

401k matching

Tuition Reimbursement

Job summary

Ecovyst Catalyst Technologies in Houston, TX seeks a Senior Project Manager to lead capital projects for Sulfuric Acid Regeneration Units from front-end definition through startup. Projects range $1.0MM to $25.0MM, emphasizing safety, reliability, and environmental compliance.

You will drive FEED through FEL stages, manage scope, cost, and schedule, and mentor engineers. The role requires a BS in engineering, 10+ years in capital projects, and the ability to travel up to 25% with extended hours

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science in Chemical, Mechanical, Civil, or Electrical Engineering.
• At least 10 years of capital project experience with 5+ years as a project manager in chemical, petrochemical, refining, or similar industries.
• Experience delivering brownfield projects in operating plants, including outages or turnarounds.
• Knowledge of OSHA PSM, MOC, and PSSR.
• Knowledge of codes (ASME B31.1/B31.3, API, NFPA).
• Experience with stage-gate FEL project development and AACE estimate classes.
• Strong cost and schedule control; proficient in MS Project/Primavera and Excel.
• Experience managing contractors under various contract types.
• Excellent written and oral communication; able to present to senior leadership.
• Ability to travel up to 25% and work extended hours during turnarounds and startups.
• Prefer sulfuric acid, acid regeneration, boiler and steam systems, or corrosive-service experience.
• Prefer SAP for purchasing, WBS cost tracking, and capital closeout.
• Prefer knowledge of BMS/DCS/SIS projects and environmental compliance projects.

Responsibilities

• Lead capital projects through FEL 1 to FEL 3 with business case, design basis, and funding packages.
• Develop and submit capital appropriation and MOC requests; manage scope changes.
• Construct and validate Class 2/3 cost estimates; set risk-based contingency.
• Run PDRI assessments and present gate packages to leadership.
• Own the project execution plan, procurement strategy, and long-lead equipment plan.
• Manage EPC, engineering, fabrication, and construction contractors; handle changes and claims.
• Maintain Level 3 schedules; coordinate tie-ins and outages with Operations.
• Track actuals, commitments, EAC, and forecast variances monthly.
• Drive process safety deliverables including PHA/HAZOP, MOC, PSSR updates.
• Ensure permits for air, water, boiler, and pressure vessels are secured pre-start.
• Enforce safety for contractors and perform constructability reviews; plan SIMOPS.
• Lead field construction during turnarounds and startups; manage turnover and lessons learned.
• Coach junior engineers and project managers.

Skills

Project management

Leadership

Cost control

MS Project or Primavera

Communication

Travel up to 25%

Education

Bachelor of Science in Chemical/Mechanical/Civil/Electrical Engineering

Tools

MS Project

Primavera P6

Excel

Job description

If you are unable to complete this application due to a disability, contact this employer to ask for an accommodation or an alternative application process.

Senior Project Manager

SALARY FT NON-EXEMPT Houston, TX, US

3 days ago Requisition ID: 1468

Backed by an over 130-year history, Ecovysthas evolved into a platform of leading sulfur solutionsunited by a shared commitment to reliability, innovation, and performance. We have carefully cultivated our reputation as a premier provider of virgin sulfuric acid, sulfuric acid regeneration services, and sulfuric acid derivatives. We provide specialty grade high-purity virgin sulfuric acid for a number of diverse and growing end uses. Among them are mining, particularly copper for electronics applications, production of electric vehicles and the ongoing expansion of data centers across the globe, and industrial applications including our customers’ production of nylon precursors, production of lead acid batteries for all types of vehicles, industrial and municipal water treatment, and refining and petrochemical processes.

• Ecoservicesprovides sulfuric acid regeneration, produces virgin sulfuric acid, and offers chemical waste handling and treatment services
• Calabrian produces high-value sulfur dioxide and derivative solutions, enabling us to serve a broader set of essential industries
• Chem32 sulfides and activates catalysts for refining and renewable fuel processes

What we offer:

• Competitive pay
• Full benefit package
• 401k matching
• Tuition Reimbursement

Position Summary:

The Eco-Services Houston site requires a Senior Project Manager to lead capital projects for its Sulfuric Acid Regeneration Units from front-end definition through start-up and closeout. Project total installed costs range from $1.0MM to $25.0MM with project drivers that include process safety, reliability, environmental compliance, increased efficiency, and strategic growth. The Senior Project Manager carries end-to-end accountability for safety, scope, cost, schedule, and quality, and leads cross-functional and contractor teams in an operating plant. The Senior Project Manager must develop and defend sound project alternatives, present stage-gate funding packages to capital leadership, and coach project engineers. The Senior Project Manager will serve as the project lead on PHA, MOC, and PSSR reviews.

What you will be doing:

• Lead capital projects through the FEL 1 to FEL 3 stage-gate process, including business case, alternatives selection, basis of design, and FEL 3 funding packages.
• Develop and submit capital project appropriation requests, supplemental funding requests, and MOCs for scope changes.
• Build AACE Class 3 and Class 2 cost estimates with engineering contractors, and set risk-based contingency.
• Run PDRI assessments and present gate packages to capital leadership.
• Own the project execution plan, contracting and procurement strategy, and long-lead equipment plan.
• Manage EPC, engineering, fabrication, and construction contractors, including scope, change orders, and claims.
• Build and maintain Level 3 critical-path schedules; coordinate tie-ins and outages with Operations and Turnaround Planning.
• Track actuals, commitments, estimate to complete, and forecast at completion monthly, and report variances early.
• Drive process safety deliverables: PHA/HAZOP participation, MOC, relief and SIS design basis, PSI updates, and PSSR.
• Ensure air, water, and boiler and pressure vessel permits are identified early and in place before construction or start-up.
• Enforce site safety requirements for contractors, including permits to work, LOTO, confined space, and hot work.
• Lead constructability reviews, SIMOPS planning, mechanical completion, commissioning, and start-up.
• Manage projects in the field during construction, including during unit turnarounds.
• Close out projects with as-builts, turnover packages, and lessons learned.
• Coach and develop project engineers and junior project managers.

Qualifications:

• Must have Bachelor of Science in Chemical, Mechanical, Civil, or Electrical Engineering.
• Must have at least 10 years of capital project experience, including at least 5 years as a project manager in chemical, petrochemical, refining, or similar process industries.
• Must have proven delivery of brownfield projects in operating plants, including tie-ins during outages or turnarounds.
• Must have working knowledge of OSHA PSM (29 CFR 1910.119), MOC, and PSSR.
• Must have knowledge of applicable codes, including ASME B31.1/B31.3, ASME Section I/VIII, API, and NFPA.
• Must have experience with stage-gate (FEL) project development and AACE estimate classes.
• Must have strong cost and schedule control skills and proficiency in MS Project or Primavera P6 and Excel.
• Must have experience managing contractors under lump-sum, unit-rate, and T&M contracts.
• Must have excellent written and oral communications skills, including presentations to senior leadership.
• Must be able to travel up to 25% and work extended hours during turnarounds and start-ups.
• Prefer sulfuric acid, acid regeneration, boiler and steam system, or corrosive-service experience.
• Prefer SAP experience for purchasing, WBS cost tracking, and capital closeout.
• Prefer knowledge of BMS/DCS/SIS projects and environmental compliance projects.