Mechanical Startup Engineer

The ideal Mechanical Startup Engineer is a hands-on commissioning professional who has personally planned and executed pre-commissioning, commissioning, startup, testing, and initial operation of complex process systems. They possess broad multidisciplinary knowledge spanning mechanical, electrical, instrumentation, controls, and operations; can directly supervise startup craft activities; develop detailed execution and contingency plans; define temporary testing requirements; prepare complex isolations; and own the complete technical documentation and turnover process necessary to safely bring systems into operation.

• Experience goes beyond oversight, inspection, or contractor management; has directly led and performed testing activities in the field.
• Demonstrated experience bringing systems from mechanical completion through integrated operation and turnover to operations.
• Deep understanding of complete process systems, not just mechanical equipment.
• Understands mechanical, electrical, instrumentation, controls, and process interactions required for safe startup and operation.
• Capable of evaluating how system changes, deficiencies, or delays impact startup execution and overall plant readiness
• Able to independently develop and execute Level 5 commissioning and startup plans.
• Identifies prerequisites, interfaces, risks, contingencies, and recovery plans before field execution.
• Anticipates construction deficiencies, turnover gaps, equipment issues, and operational constraints and develops mitigation strategies proactively
• Direct experience managing craft personnel performing testing, startup, and operational activities.
• Able to safely direct and coordinate multiple work fronts during dynamic commissioning activities.
• Strong leadership presence with the ability to make sound technical decisions in the field.
• Able to define temporary piping, hoses, filtration systems, jumpers, utilities, chemical cleaning setups, and other testing requirements necessary for successful execution.
• Understands cost, schedule, and logistics implications of temporary commissioning infrastructure
• Understands electrical systems supplying power to equipment, motor control schemes, protection systems, and energization requirements.
• Understands instrumentation, control logic, interlocks, permissives, trips, and operator interfaces necessary for startup and equipment protection.
• Works effectively across mechanical, electrical, instrumentation, controls, process, and operations disciplines.

Project Overview:

Client is partnering with NextDecade to support their vision to provide the world access to lower carbon intensive energy with their Rio Grande LNG (RGLNG) project in Brownsville, Texas.

RGLNG is a natural gas liquefaction and export terminal situated on a 984-acre site on the banks of the Brownsville ship channel. The first phase of the RGLNG project consists of three liquefaction trains, two storage tanks and one marine berth. At full capacity, the five-train facility will have a production capacity of 27 million tonnes per annum (MTPA).


Position Summary:

The CSU Mechanical System engineer will be assigned systems on the project for which they will have full responsibility for commissioning. This will require coordinating with electrical, instrumentation and control systems disciplines within the CSU organization to complete all required testing from component level through integrated operation with the rest of the facility. Testing to be performed will generally include, but not be limited to: flushing piping systems, performing vessel closeout inspections, running in driven equipment (including vibration testing) such as pumps, compressors, fans, etc., checkout and testing of prime movers such as diesels and turbines, inspection and setting of safety valves, testing heat exchangers, performing IST's, logic testing of system functions (e.g., interlocks, trips and permissives), and generally supporting other disciplines (electrical, instrumentation, controls and plant operations) to complete commissioning tests.


Responsibilities:

• Provide guidance and technical support to construction disciplines performing pre-commissioning activities.
• Assesses and verifies the integrity of mechanical systems during Installation, Commissioning, and Startup, to maximize system reliability and availability, by carrying out inspections and construction support as needed.
• Provide ES&H leadership to personnel assigned to them.
• Complete testing per STCP's, SWPP's, project procedures and other specific procedures which may be required to be prepared in this position. Complete all test records, data sheets, etc. to fully document testing activities
• Ensures that and local/national safety codes, requirements and standards are being complied with within assigned area of responsibility.
• Actively participates in safety programs.
• Receives administrative supervision and technical guidance from the Area Lead. Objectives are defined, and results are subject to supervisory review.
• Provides technical guidance and assigns work to project Commissioning and Startup, technicians, crafts, and others who are performing specific assignments.
• Coordinates between project engineering, construction, specialty staff groups, clients, and vendors.
• Prepare FCR/NCR/DR's as required to document as-built conditions and/or properly resolve deficiencies
• Plans, schedules, conducts, or coordinates detailed CSU activities or maintenance, including reviews for safety and execution.
• Coordinate with and provide direction to supplier Technical Assistants to complete commissioning of vendor supplied equipment. Monitor supplier TA activities to ensure proper charging of TA time (i.e.: ensure client is not charged for TA time spent addressing the vendor's own issues). Plan work accordingly and control the expenditure of TA time to stay within the budget constraints for each PO.
• Ensure permanent plant materials are stored in accordance with specifications and project requirements. Responsible for testing of mechanical system(s) as per supplier and code requirements.
• Participate in system turnover walkdowns, both Construction and Client turnovers; initiate, track and resolve punchlist items for assigned areas of responsibility
• Prepares and Maintains Mechanical Spares for Commissioning and startup. Monitors Commissioning & Startup spares usage on the site and Prepares Field Material Requisitions for permanent plant material to ensure that the CSU activities are productive.
• Monitors the activities of subcontractors to ensure compliance with specifications and schedules.

Qualifications and Skills:

Basic Qualifications:

• University/B.S degree in Mechanical Engineering plus 4 years of experience or 8 years of equivalent industry experience in-lieu of a degree.

Additional Qualifications:

• Strong experience in pre-commissioning and commissioning of large rotating equipment, centrifugal and reciprocating compressors, multistage pumps, diesel engines, gas [s]and steam[/s] turbines.
• Heavy industrial direct hire construction experience in a supervisory role commensurate with the type of work to be undertaken, preferably in a lump-sum turn-key environment.
• Good Knowledge and Understanding of engineering systems, applications of startup and operations; and previous experience in Mechanical Commissioning roles.
• Broad knowledge of industry and regulatory standards and criteria pertinent to startup, maintenance, operations, or testing.
• Possesses effective communications skills crucial to motivating team members and presenting plans in a clear and concise manner. Collaborates well in a team environment.
• Good leadership skills & able to supervise craft for testing, startup, and operations activity.
• Good knowledge in MS Word, Excel, Visio, PowerPoint, and other relevant used applications (Aconex, Set Route).
• Understands project workflows from design, estimation, construction administration and coordination, and fabrication.

Preferred Qualifications:

• The ideal candidate possesses broad technical experience of commissioning, startup, operation, maintenance, and testing of Mechanical/Piping Systems/Components of Oil & Gas Processing Facilities.
• Understanding of applicable work processes including Standard Work Process Procedures.
• Familiarity with Standard Applications (SAPs) including Setroute, Unifier, Aconex, DSCS, PTR, Agile, Navisworks, and other automation tools which are used on projects.
• Strong supervision experience including the ability to lead and manage change.