System Design Engineer

Kinder Morgan, Inc.; Houston, Northern (TX, KY); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Kinder Morgan, Inc. in Houston, TX seeks an Engineer to develop and maintain pipeline hydraulic simulation models for natural gas transmission systems, supporting capacity planning and outage analyses. You will collaborate with Gas Control, Operations and Engineering to optimize performance and ensure safe operations.

The role requires 3–5 years in oil and gas, experience with compressible flow and pipeline modeling, familiarity with 49 CFR Part 192, and strong analytical/communication skills.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's in an engineering discipline with emphasis on fluid dynamics/thermodynamics.
• 3–5 years in oil and gas, with compressible fluids and flow dynamics.
• Experience modeling compression and pipeline flows.
• Familiarity with 49 CFR Part 192 and related codes.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain pipeline hydraulic simulation models for natural gas transmission systems.
• Use models to determine steady-state and transient capacity and assess contracted capacity.
• Update Electronic Bulletin Boards with design capacities for pipeline segments and meters.
• Collaborate with Gas Control and Operations for operational studies.
• Review capacity impacts with Marketing, Scheduling, and Contracts during outages.
• Assist with transient simulations to set rupture mitigation valve rates per PHMSA rules.
• Prepare FERC annual reports such as FERC Form 567.
• Foster cross-functional working relationships across the department and site teams.
• Identify opportunities to operate more efficiently and reduce emissions.

Skills

Pipeline hydraulics

Compressible flow

Hydraulic simulations

Team collaboration

Analytical thinking

Communication skills

NextGen/WinFlow/WinTran

VBA

SQL

GIS/Google Earth/SCADA

Microsoft Office

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Civil, Chemical or Electrical) with emphasis on fluid dynamics/thermo

Tools

NextGen/WinFlow/WinTran

Microsoft Office

VBA

SQL

Google Earth/GIS

SCADA

Job description

What You Will Do

In this position, with the assistance and guidance of senior team members, the successful candidate should:

• Develop and maintain pipeline hydraulic simulation models to simulate the operations of natural gas transmission systems
• Utilize pipeline hydraulic simulation models to determine steady state and transient seasonal pipeline system capacity, including available capacity based on existing contracted capacity
• Update company Electronic Bulletin Boards with pipeline segment and receipt/delivery meter design capacities
• Work closely with Gas Control and Operations to perform operational studies as requested
• Work closely with Project Management, Gas Control, Scheduling and Operations to determine capacity impacts associated with facility outages
• Work closely with Marketing and Contract Services to review and approve new transportation service agreements
• Work closely with Engineering and Compliance to perform transient simulations to determine appropriate rate of change settings for Rupture Mitigation Valves as required by the new PHMSA Rupture Mitigation Valve Rule
• Prepare FERC annual reports such as the FERC Form 567
• Maintain collaborative inter-departmental and cross-functional working relationships with all members of the department and with both office and field employees.
• Evaluate ways to operate more efficiently and reduce emissions.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Job level will be commensurate with the successful candidate’s experience and skill sets.

What You Need

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in an Engineering discipline (Mechanical, Civil, Chemical or Electrical) with emphasis on fluid flow dynamics and/or thermodynamics.

Experience (preferred):

• 3-5 years related work experience in the oil and gas industry.
• Experience with and knowledge of the characteristics of compressible fluids and simulations of flow dynamics.
• Experience with and knowledge of computer modeling of compression and fluid flow in pipelines.
• Experience with the design, operation, maintenance and/or capital project support of natural gas compression facilities such as centrifugal and reciprocating compression, metering/regulation and pipeline facilities.
• Familiarity with relevant design codes such as 49 CFR Part 192.

Other desirable experience for the position:

• Strong teamwork and interpersonal skills.
• Strong verbal and written communications skills.
• Experience using hydraulic simulations packages such as NextGen/WinFlow/WinTran to model natural gas pipeline systems.
• Strong computer skills including Microsoft Office proficiency, VBA, SQL , Google Earth, GIS, SCADA and the ability to learn other programs quickly.
• Creative problem solver.

Why Join Kinder Morgan

Kinder Morgan is a large energy infrastructure company operating in North America. Access to reliable, affordable energy is a critical component for improving lives around the world. We are committed to providing energy transportation and storage services in a safe, efficient, and environmentally responsible manner for the benefit of the people, communities, and businesses we serve.

Kinder Morgan provides equal employment opportunity to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, childbirth and related medical conditions, gender (including gender identity and expression), sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information, marital status, military or veteran status, family status, status as an individual authorized to work in the U.S., or any other status protected by law.

For more information about Kinder Morgan, our culture, opportunities available, and to join our Talent Community, please visit our careers site at www.kindermorgan.com.