Sr. Process Engineer (Thermodynamics & Process Simulation)

Job Title: Sr Process Engineer (Thermodynamic & Process Simulation)
Reports To: Head of Engineering
Job Type: Permanent, Full-time
Work Schedule: Hybrid
Location: Houston, TX USA

NES Fircroft is a leading global technical recruitment company providing professional contract and permanent staff to a diverse world-wide client base within the energy industry. Our client, a fast-growing technology licensor developer with the mission to lower carbon footprint for a cleaner and more cost-effective power source, has a permanent opportunity for a Senior Process Engineer to be based in Houston, TX.

Position Summary


Our client is seeking a highly organized Senior Process Engineer with a focus on thermodynamics and process simulation to join their engineering team. The Sr Process Engineer reports to the Head of Engineering and is responsible for the process and cycle design of the 300MW utility scale standardized plant process design package (PDP).   This job will require development and continuous improvements in the focus areas of process and performance conditions for the supercritical CO2 technology. This individual will also support active pre-FEED, FEED, and EPC Projects as the standard product design is implemented on customer projects. 

Essential Duties

• Develop process heat & material balances, safety system designs, turbomachinery and equipment specifications, pipe sizing calculations, and process simulation models.
• Oversee the development of P&IDs, PFDs, UFDs, material selection diagrams, process design basis documents, control philosophies, blowdown philosophies, isolation philosophies, operation and maintenance philosophies and procedures, control narratives, and other process/mechanical engineering deliverables.
• Perform calculations to support sizing and selection of key equipment components and update data sheets and specifications to support requests for vendor quotations.
• Perform technical evaluations of OEM quotes for process related equipment packages.  Interact with OEMs to ensure accuracy of thermodynamic modeling of key turbomachinery and heat exchangers.
• Perform HazOp analysis of process systems
• Compile information from multiple resources into a basic engineering licensor package.
• Analyze data from demonstration plant test trials.  Make recommendations for process improvements based on data analysis.
• Author reports for internal business and external publications.
• Interface with programs’ external Owner Engineering and project specific EPCs.  Interface to include, but not be limited to reviews of standard plant design and optimization with focus on cycle efficiency, repeatability of design and reduction in cost/schedule through optimization.

 
Education and Required Experience

• Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical or Chemical Engineering a minimum requirement, with a Master’s Degree in Engineering from an ABET accredited university preferred. (ABET accredited degree required)
• 15+ years of accumulated experience in combination of energy generation, petrochemical, oil and gas and/or environmental EPC Projects with rotations to the jobsites.  Experience in a company that marketed licensed technology favorable.
• Expertise in Aspen Plus required.  Proficiency in Aspen Dynamics, HYSYS, HYSYS Dynamics, Aspen EDR, and other AspenTech software highly desired.  Experience in power plant simulation and rating software (Thermoflow), pipeline flow assurance, and vendor supplied software for equipment design favorable.
• Experience developing, modeling, and specifying compact heat exchangers is ideal.
• Experience validating thermodynamic models (preferably in non-ideal chemistries at extreme pressures).
• Experience in new chemical process research and development.  Pilot plant operation experience preferable.
• Operational history in corrosive environments requiring high nickel alloys.
• Familiarity with industrial piping, metallurgy, water treatment, gas treatment, and utility systems. ASME B31.1 and B31.3 working knowledge
• Excellent verbal and written communications skills, including organization and direction of technical personnel, experience in procedure and process documentation and technical report writing. Experience in patent development and publication is beneficial.
• Proficient at project planning and solid organizational skills in a multi-tasking environment are essential.
• Experience as owner’s engineer desirable.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office is required.
• Capability to train and mentor junior staff on projects from conceptual design to construction completion and operational turnover to clients through startup and commissioning.
• Previous experience on Projects through performance modeling and testing to support commissioning performance and acceptance testing.
• Previous experience on projects measured by capex $500M - $1B (USD).
• Knowledge of plant controls, instruments, programmable logic controllers, and distributive control systems.
• Knowledge of ASME, API, NFPA, CGI, AGA, and other industry standards or recommended and generally accepted good engineering practices including international equivalents.
• Experience with interstate pipeline design, management, and regulation.
• Executed project experience on domestic and international projects with engineering teams in multi locations (high value engineering teams).
• Ability to exercise sound judgment in prioritizing tasks and duties.
• Proficiency in the review and support to formation of subcontracts to provide services to a range of selective services required on projects.
• Advanced knowledge of construction methods and requirements (modularization/compaction) to continually improve a standard plant by reducing plant layout and space allocation requirements. Experience compacting plant layout into skids or modules is highly desirable.
• Familiarity with revision control methods and procedures.
• Ability to travel to job sites throughout North America and internationally. (Note that some positions will require more extensive international travel)

About our Client
 
Passionate about making an impact? Our client is driven by their vision of empowering a clean world by globally deploying affordable and reliable zero-emissions energy. They are a well-funded clean energy technology company backed by strategic investors across financial institutions and major oil and energy companies. Their technology delivers clean, reliable, and low-Cost energy.
 
 
Why Work Here
 

• Opportunity to join a nimble but fast-growing clean energy technology developer backed by financial institutions and major oil and energy companies.
• Only technology developer with proven technology to deliver lower carbon power source that is cost efficient, cleaner, and reliable.
• Join a company with a mission to address global challenges and create positive change, partnered with global and world renowned EPCs, O&M, and Owner Operators.
• Ability to create and build out engineering plan while deep diving into unique technology.
• Work with like-minded individuals at the top of their respective fields to collaborate on a unified mission.
• Competitive compensation packages, generous medical benefits, 401K match, tuition reimbursement, maternity/ paternity paid leave, hybrid and flex working schedule, relocation assistance, and more.

 
This is an excellent opportunity to become part of a fast-growing clean energy technology licensor. The successful applicant will receive a competitive annual compensation package, annual bonus, strong medical benefits, PTO, holidays, and more. Relocation assistance is also available. For more information on this opportunity or others, please contact Mishu Ventura. 
 

With over 90 years' combined experience, NES Fircroft (NES) is proud to be the world's leading engineering staffing provider spanning the Oil & Gas, Power & Renewables, Chemicals, Construction & Infrastructure, Life Sciences, Mining and Manufacturing sectors worldwide. With more than 80 offices in 45 countries, we are able to provide our clients with the engineering and technical expertise they need, wherever and whenever it is needed. We offer contractors far more than a traditional recruitment service, supporting with everything from securing visas and work permits, to providing market-leading benefits packages and accommodation, ensuring they are safely and compliantly able to support our clients.