Plant Mechanical Engineer

Job Description

Job Description

Job Description Summary: The Plant Mechanical Engineer provides technical expertise and engineering support to ensure the safe, reliable, and cost-effective operation of refinery mechanical equipment. This position serves as a primary technical resource for rotating and fixed equipment, including pressure vessels, piping, heat exchangers, tanks, pumps, compressors, and other mechanical systems. Working collaboratively with Operations, Maintenance, Inspection, and Project Engineering, the engineer troubleshoots equipment issues, develops repair and reliability solutions, supports capital projects and turnarounds, and ensures compliance with applicable engineering standards, industry codes, and regulatory requirements.

Key Responsibilities:

Mechanical Engineering & Maintenance Support

• Provide mechanical engineering expertise to improve asset reliability, equipment integrity, and cost-effective performance across refinery operations.
• Lead the development and execution of maintenance strategies and repair plans for rotating and static equipment used in crude processing, distillation, hydrotreating, and other refinery units.
• Provide technical support for rotating equipment, including pumps, compressors, turbines, seals, and bearings, to troubleshoot failures, improve performance, and optimize reliability.
• Provide technical guidance to Operations, Maintenance, Inspection, and Engineering personnel regarding equipment design, fabrication, troubleshooting, maintenance, and repair.
• Support preventive and predictive maintenance improvements, including operator care tasks, vibration analysis, infrared, and acoustic monitoring.

Mechanical Integrity & Pressure Equipment Engineering

• Support pressure equipment design, fabrication, inspection, modification, and repair in compliance with applicable laws, regulations, industry codes, and standards.
• Manage and review Integrity Operating Windows (IOWs), Risk-Based Inspection (RBI) analyses, Corrosion Control Documents (CCDs), and applicable safe operating limits.
• Develop and maintain mechanical integrity procedures, engineering standards, and specifications for pressure vessels, piping, valves, painting, and insulation.
• Perform Fitness-for-Service (FFS) assessments and applicable engineering calculations to evaluate equipment condition and continued serviceability.
• Review and approve mechanical and pressure equipment portions of the Management of Change (MOC) process.
• Develop and evaluate temporary and permanent equipment repair recommendations, including freeze plugs, hot taps, sealing technologies, and engineered enclosures.
• Evaluate corrosion and deterioration mechanisms to guide equipment inspection, maintenance, and repair decisions.
• Identify and implement improvements to the site's mechanical integrity program.

Reliability Engineering & Defect Elimination

• Conduct Root Cause Analysis (RCA) and failure investigations to reduce recurring equipment failures and improve mechanical reliability.
• Analyze equipment failure histories, degradation patterns, inspection findings, and operational data to identify reliability improvements.
• Investigate pressure equipment leaks, mechanical failures, and performance degradation to determine causes and recommend corrective actions.
• Collaborate with Operations, Maintenance, Inspection, and Engineering personnel to develop and execute defect elimination plans.

Capital Projects, Turnarounds & Engineering Support

• Define scopes, develop cost estimates, and prepare technical justifications for capital projects driven by equipment reliability, mechanical integrity, and replacement needs.
• Support technical reviews and engineering evaluations with Project Engineering.
• Support mechanical equipment planning and execution for turnarounds, maintenance activities, capital projects, and plant shutdowns.
• Support development of turnaround equipment inspection and repair plans based on equipment design, operating conditions, and inspection history.
• Provide technical support during turnarounds and shutdowns for equipment inspections, repairs, and return-to-service decisions.
• Prepare periodic reliability and project status reports for Reliability Steering Teams, Asset Performance reviews, and other applicable governance groups.

Skills, Knowledge & Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering or a closely related engineering discipline.
• Minimum of 4–6 years of mechanical engineering, plant engineering, or equipment reliability experience in refinery, petrochemical, or similar industrial operations.
• Working knowledge of rotating and fixed equipment, mechanical integrity principles, maintenance practices, and troubleshooting equipment.
• Ability to analyze equipment failures, develop engineering recommendations, and collaborate effectively with Operations, Maintenance, Inspection, and Project teams.

Preferred Qualifications & Technical Knowledge

• Experience with refinery reliability programs, Root Cause Analysis (RCA), Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA), defect elimination, and preventive/predictive maintenance practices.
• Working knowledge of applicable ASME, API, and NBIC codes and standards, including ASME B31.3, API 510, API 570, API 579, API 653, and API 520/521.
• Familiarity with pressure equipment design, inspection, repair, and Fitness-for-Service assessments, including pressure vessels, piping, tanks, heat exchangers, and fired equipment.
• Experience with rotating equipment condition monitoring and troubleshooting, including vibration analysis, infrared thermography, and centrifugal or reciprocating compressors.
• Knowledge of welding inspection, nondestructive examination (VT, PT, UT, RT), fabrication quality assurance, and applicable inspection practices.
• Familiarity with fired heater design, refractory inspection and repair, heat exchanger evaluation, and protective coatings.
• Experience with engineering software and technical tools used for pressure equipment evaluation, piping analysis, and mechanical reliability.
• Relevant technical certifications or specialized training in vibration analysis, infrared thermography, nondestructive examination, or API inspection practices are a plus.

Basic Requirements:

• Must be authorized to work in the United States permanently on a full-time basis without requiring sponsorship.
• Must possess and maintain a current valid license to operate a motor vehicle in the United States.
• Must be able to read, speak, and write English fluently. 
• Hold or be able to qualify to receive a Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) card - Information may be found at -industry/twic.
• Adhere to site alcohol and drug standards including random drug screenings
• As part of the pre-employment selection process, candidates are required to submit to and receive satisfactory results from all pre-employment background checks including but not limited to drug screening (including a hair sample), medical evaluation, and reference checks.

FLSA Status: Exempt 

Work Schedule: 9/80 work schedule

Hiring Manager: Reliability & Maintenance, Projects, Turnaround Manager

Expected Start date: By end of 2026

About Vertex Energy: Vertex Energy is a leading energy transition company that specializes in producing high-purity refined fuels and products. Our innovative solutions are designed to enhance the performance of our customers and partners while also prioritizing sustainability, safety, and operational excellence. With a commitment to providing superior products and services, Vertex Energy is dedicated to shaping the future of the energy industry.

About the Site: The Vertex Refining Alabama Site is a 24/7 manufacturing plant in Saraland, Alabama that specializes in the production and distribution of refined products. It employs approximately 180 full-time staff, including both hourly and salaried employees. The United Steelworkers Union (USW) represents the hourly workforce.

Posting Disclaimer: We reserve the right to amend, provide exceptions to or withdraw this posting at any time.