• Quintana, TX, US
• Posted On: 02/13/2023
• Employment Type: Full Time
• Job Class: Engineering

Job Summary

The Lead Mechanical Engineer reports directly to the Engineering Manager and supervises a small team of engineers within the Freeport LNG Operations team, as well as serving as the technical lead for mechanical engineering issues. Responsibilities will include technical oversight and monitoring of all critical mechanical assets in the operating facilities, both fixed and rotating. Provides advanced troubleshooting techniques where required and leads Root Cause Failure Analysis (RCFA) on mechanical incidents or systems needing repairs. The Lead Mechanical Engineer will develop and help administer inspection & preventative maintenance programs for rotating and fixed equipment and will be an integral part of the predictive and preventative maintenance and troubleshooting of all rotating equipment. The Lead Mechanical Engineer will also be responsible for capturing lessons learned from all mechanical equipment issues and applying these lessons forward to existing and new assets.

Duties/Responsibilities

• Supervise a small team of engineers (Mechanical and Reliability) and provide mentoring and coaching.

• Oversee design, specification and selection of new or replacement mechanical equipment; including inspection and testing.
• Oversee resolution of mechanical design, reliaiblity & warranty issues found post startup
• Supports the Engineering Team in the execution of Capital Expenditure Projects; assist Project Engineering on mechanical design and installation issues.
• Serves as a subject matter expert on mechanical systems engineering issues (not limited to risk engineering, system integrity and applicable specifications, philosophies and standards) and assists support groups (Maintenance Supervisors and Technicians). Understand and interpret codes, standards and regulations that are equipment related.
• Work closely with Operations & Maintenace on optimization and troubleshooting of rotating and fixed equipment.
• Review/design and deploy maintenance programs for rotating and fixed equipment, including specifying maintenance practices, procedures, test equipment, and frequencies.
• Work closely with OEMs to ensure current mechanical work practices are effective and improving reliability. Supports Maintenance with communication with OEMs, including developing and maintaining various customer service agreements.

Essential Functions

• Leads RCFA on mechanical incidents, reliability issues or systems needing repairs.
• Assists with turnaround planning and successful execution.
• Participates in the Management of Change process.
• Participates in HazOps, HazIDs, and Risk Assessments as required.
• Provide support to Operations and Maintenance personnel to ensure facilities operate safely, efficiently and with high mechanical reliability.
• Oversee processes to track, trend, and report performance and reliability data of rotating and fixed equipment to ensure all facilities are maintained and operated within allowable OEM tolerances and achieve high reliability and availability.
• Develops Key Performance Indicators (KPI) with the emphasis on monitoring and analysis for rotating & fixed equipment systems for increased efficiency and reduced downtime between scheduled PMs and planned outages.
• Uses sound engineering practices, plant standards and specifications, to ensure that documentation for the mechanical systems is maintained properly. Responsible for the development of documentation standards including updates to the maintenance, reliability and unit operating manuals.
• Capture and maintain lessons learned for key equipment and systems at all facilities.
• Review and evaluate new technology and report findings for potential inclusion on existing facilities and future projects.

Minimum Qualification/Work Experience

Minimum Education Required: Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical, Industrial, or Chemical Engineering

Minimum Experience Required: 10 years’ experience in a process industry setting in mechanical equipment engineering, operations or maintenance. Experience with LNG, NGL, cryogenic / natural gas processing, petrochemical, or other hydrocarbon processing facilities.

Preferred Education: Master’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering

Professional Engineering License

Preferred Experience: Prior experience as Lead or Senior Engineer. 15+ years’ experience in an LNG processing facility or in the LNG industry. Recent equivalent experience in NGL, cryogenic / natural gas processing, petrochemical, or other hydrocarbon processing facilities may be acceptable. Specific expertise in either rotating or fixed equipment.

Required Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

The Lead Mechanical Engineer is expected to have a general knowledge in:

• process plant, compression system, and other fixed & rotating equipment.
• Centrifugal compressors
• Gas Turbine Drivers
• Pumps, reciprocating compressors, and other rotating equipment
• Pressure vessels, columns, heat exchangers and air cooled heat exchangers, Fired Heaters
• Auxiliary Equipment; Air Compressors, Lubricating Oil Systems, etc.
• ASME B31.8 and B31.3 piping codes, PHMSA Part 192
• Cathodic Protection systems

HSE Roles & Responsibilities

Support the policies, efforts, and programs of Freeport LNG HS&E Management System, including implementation of Process Safety Management. Actively participates in application of HS&E Management System Policies, including Management of Change. Ensure that HS&E concerns are given priority in all activities completed within their area of responsibility. Implement routine inspections to ensure safe operating conditions.

Working Conditions & Physical Expectations

• Primarily operates in a professional office environment within or adjacent to a hydrocarbon process plant.
• Must be able to wear all necessary PPE equipment to perform job functions, including Fire Resistant Clothing, and hearing protection, where required.
• Exposure to indoor and outdoor weather conditions.
• Exposure to moving mechanical equipment and electrical circuits.

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

• Ability to lift up to 20 lbs. as required in order to lift files, boxes and office equipment as necessary.
• Ability to lift files, open filing cabinets and bending, standing on a stool, or climbing as necessary to perform these functions.
• Ability to drive to other Company work locations as required.
• Ability to move throughout all areas of the facility.
• Stand and/or sit continuously and perform job functions for a full shift.
• The incumbent is required to use hands to finger, handle or feel; and reach with hands and arms.
• Physically able to walk, stand, bend, stoop, kneel, reach, twist, lift, push, pull, climb, balance, crouch, handle and move items weighing up to 50 lbs. without assistance.
• Visual acuity corrected to perform job functions. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.
• While performing the duties of this role, the incumbent will be required to talk and hear.
• May be required to enter confined spaces.
• May be required to work at elevated heights.