Principal Process Engineer

Job-ID: 26004822Category: EngineeringLocation: Houston, TX, United StatesSchedule: Full timePosted: 2026-10-16Job Overview:Provides technical leadership and supervise staff assigned to them for major projects. General Description includes complex process engineering design, analysis and development of an assigned scope of work in a McDermott project and/or specific complex deliverables such as conceptual process design, process simulations, heat and material balances, P&ID and PFD development. Work includes, among other things, conceptual studies, cost and planning studies, layouts, design calculations and equipment and material specification. Is able to effectively communicate complex technical solutions and concepts to other engineers and non-engineers. Assists with training other engineers by providing instruction on new technologies and/or a specialization. Mentors junior Process Engineers. Supports the development of new technologies and methods. Is the highest level Engineer position and looked to for technical expertise. Depending on size and complexity of scope of work may be assigned as the Process Engineering Lead for a project. Maintains and promotes a focus on McDermott’s end product whether engineering, fabrication or construction. Ensures effective communications among other engineering disciplines. Ensures effective management of change. Assumes responsibility for cost, schedule, quantity and budget control. QualificationsEssential Qualifications and Education: Bachelor’s Degree or Master’s Degree in Engineering15-20 years of experience in oil and gas with a major contractor or consultant predominantly performing detail design Preferably Registered Professional Engineer or member of professional engineering society as applicable Detailed knowledge of design techniques and analysis methods and detailed knowledge of the theory, content, and application of standards, codes, and guidelines as applicableKnowledgeable in project coordination and execution skills#LI-CA1ResponsibilitiesKey Tasks and Responsibilities: Perform conceptual, FEED, and detailed analyses and design as per design basis, project specifications, design codes, and standardsApply in-depth skills and broad knowledge of the business to address complex problems and nonstandard situationsPrepare clear and accurate detailed design calculations and analyses including design reports and - proceduresManage own time to meet objectives and (as Lead Engineer) forecast and plan resource requirementsClearly communicate and explain difficult concepts and persuade others to adopt a point of viewWhen acting as Lead Engineer, in addition:Direct medium or large Engineering team as a Lead EngineerLead the Discipline engineering design of the assigned work area and completed within the planned schedule and budget, in accordance with standards, MDR, and project-specific procedures and to a high professional standardPlan, organize, and direct all aspects of Discipline execution on the assigned project including scope, deliverables, schedule, and all manpower resources - agree allocations with the Discipline ManagerEnsure interfaces and deliverables are clearly identifiedMaintain responsibility for progress and productivity, identifying any required corrective actionAct as project representative for Discipline during meetings with the Project Team, Customer discipline lead, and relevant agencies such as certifying authorities, auditors, third parties, etc.Become fully familiar with the project scope of work, specifications, schedule, and all inter-discipline requirements; including identifying concerns as early as practicable and taking appropriate initiatives to address the issuesInterpret contractual requirements as they relate to engineering executionIdentify changes to scope and promptly raise change notifications, including providing any necessary supporting documentation and estimatesProvide similar support for Variation OrdersInterface with all disciplines to develop clash-free designsInterface with other departments to obtain input for Discipline designs and drawingsMaintain close coordination with other engineering disciplines, Planning, and Project Management Teams, as requiredDocument substantive communications (communications that result in significant decisions or assignment of actions) and forward copies to the Discipline Lead Engineer and Discipline ManagerPrepare estimates for bid proposals, including technical query reviews, execution statements, and work-hour estimates, identifying software requirements and any other project-specific requirementsPrepare bids and project's Discipline engineering budget and execution plans, updating as requiredRaise technical queries to obtain missing information, clarify work scope, and maintain preferred McDermott procedures, specifications, standards, practices, and operational requirementsPrepare, review and (as Lead Engineer) approve Discipline engineering design basis, philosophies, and technical specificationsParticipate in finalizing deliverables lists and deliverables, ensuring compliance with specifications and functional integrityReview project schedule and fabrication schedule about construction sequence, milestones, and engineering scopeAttend project kickoff and review meetings, vendor meetings, engineering meetings, and offshore site surveys, as requiredProvide technical direction and review of Designers producing products related to Process EngineeringPrepare, review, and (as Lead Engineer) approve design reports and proceduresAssist in providing necessary design inputs to other disciplines to enable them to proceed with their deliverablesReview and (as Lead Engineer) approve vendor and subcontractor submittals, checking for compliance with project specifications and providing comments as necessaryPresent issues and problems to Customers promptly and assist the Lead Engineer in negotiating resolution by project and company requirementsGuide less experienced engineers on MDR and Discipline procedures, standards, worksheets, design calculations, software, requisitions, technical bid evaluations, technical queries, etc. Supervise and guide assigned engineers and coordinate with project Lead Designers for Discipline engineering and design deliverablesMonitor costs of own work processesResponsible for the engineering integrity of the assigned work areaDevelop communication and presentation skills (e.g., write technical papers, participate in conferences and/or seminars, present design solutions and/or present topics at lunch and learns; etc.)Responsible for checking the following key deliverables, applicable as per the Project scope: Process simulations / Heat and material balancesProcess flow diagrams (PFD)Piping and instrument diagrams (P&ID)Equipment and instrument process datasheetsProcess specificationsOperating philosophy and startup and operating manualsEquipment list (process data)Line list (process data)Equipment and line sizing calculationsFlare radiation and dispersion calculationsDepressurization and flare network studiesProcess studiesProvide process assistance to other disciplines by performing IDC / providing inputs as required for the following activities:Layout review Area classification drawings Safety studies Electrical load list Equipment datasheets Instrument datasheets ESD and F&G logic diagrams and control narrativesParticipate in HAZAN, HAZID, HAZOP, and other safety/operability/reliability studies and workshopsAssist in closing out HAZOP action itemsLead the Discipline team during project audits (internal, Customer, and third-party technical audits) and Design ReviewsWhen acting as Lead Engineer, in addition: Act as project-based Discipline point of contact in communications and meetings with Customer counterpartsEnsure substantive communications are documentedIdentify project staff needs based on knowledge of individual engineers' skill sets and provide requests to the Discipline managerPlan, organize, and assign tasks, responsibilities, and work-hours budgets to the discipline team and verify tasks are completed within budgetsPlan Discipline Level 4 detail deliverable schedule/register compliant with the overall execution planPrepare working forecasts identifying change management plans, corrective action, and real-time scheduleProvide Discipline inputs for actual, planning, and forecasting progress reports including associated productivityAlert the project team of any deviation from the scope or a need for a change orderMonitor KPI measurement results and take corrective action as necessary to improve Discipline performance, including a performance at interfaces with othersCoordinate with other Discipline Lead Engineers and Designers to ensure timely receipt of necessary design inputsReview and approve requisitions, technical quotation evaluations, and queries, compiled bid tabulations and recommendations, and purchase requisitions; and coordinate with Procurement to expedite vendor documents as requiredReview comments from Customers & other agencies on documents and drawings produced by the team and resolve and give guidance on their update and incorporationAssist the Discipline manager in the preparation of quarterly forecasts and manpower planningAnticipate project engineering needs and plan accordinglyCoordinate with vendor for discipline-managed/procured itemsAssist the Discipline manager and Project Engineering Manager or Project Manager in the Performance Evaluation of project team members Reports to: Project: Lead Engineer, Project Engineering Manager or Project Manager Functional: Supervising Department Manager Liaise with: All Engineering disciplines, Fabrication Group, Safety Department, Project Management Team, Document Control, Project Planner, Project Cost Controller, QC, Certification Group, Procurement Group, Subcontractors, Vendors, and Customers Supervises: Senior Engineers and Engineers