Job Description

Position Summary

The Senior Project Engineer – I&E facilitates the development of a portfolio of capital and OPEX projects for the Geismar site. During the development of projects, they will perform engineering tasks including engineering analysis of drawings, system and functional requirements, hazard analysis and vendor performance specifications. This will involve collaborating with multiple partners from all levels of the organization to determine data and requirements for technical solutions. A key aspect of these activities includes a focus on improving life-cycle costs by evaluating emerging technologies and technical solutions, meeting project development milestones, and ensuring quality, integrity, safety, and regulatory compliance of projects in accordance with all applicable codes and Methanex standards and procedures.

For capital projects, this includes the initial 3 stages of a capital project (Visualization, Conceptualization and Basic Engineering), as well as monitoring the successful completion of detailed engineering, utilizing the Manufacturing Capital Management Process (MCMP). Once detailed engineering is complete, and capital funding is granted, the Senior Project Engineer – I&E will provide support to the execution lead and follow through with formal project closeout activities.

OPEX project development will be more tactical in nature than capital projects and may include aspects related to the instrumentation and electrical fields, including instrumentation systems design, process control elements, control loops, low, medium and high voltage systems, or to provide solutions for problems presenting operational, safety or maintenance challenges through the utilization of a Management of Change (MOC) process.

Provides Q/A support and Subject Matter Expert (SME) support to peer Project Engineers on other assigned capital and OPEX projects and along with tactical support for site electrical issues.

Position Responsibilities

• Utilizes the Manufacturing Capital Management Process (MCMP) procedure to progress a project from initiation to completion.
• Manages Technical small to mid-sized capital projects from Stages 1 to 3 as per MCMP.
• Supports the execution leads on projects progressing from Stage 4 to close-out as per MCMP.
• Provides Q/A support to other project leads and their portfolios.
• Leads the selection of alternative studies during Stage 2 as per MCMP.
• Manages contract engineering services related to conceptual studies and Front-End Engineering Design (FEED).
• Leads the request for funding (AFE) on capital projects assigned as per MCMP.
• Utilizes appropriate codes and standards, calculations and specifications.
• Ensures all assigned Instrument and Electrical tactical issues, such as modifications, troubleshooting and OPEX projects are managed such that the safety, quality, cost and schedule targets are achieved.
• Develops scopes of work for I/E OPEX modifications following the global Management of Change (MOC) process.
• Effective collaboration with the Maintenance Department on the troubleshooting, assessment, evaluation, inspection and recommended solutions related to I/E system issues in general.
• Contributes to the design approval process on assigned OPEX projects and small modifications to ensure input is obtained from the appropriate disciplines and changes are made to the design as required.
• Ensures appropriate hazard and risk reviews are conducted and all issues identified are actioned. Participates as Instrumentation and Electrical SME during HAZOPs and similar risk assessments, when required.
• Supports plant Operations, Maintenance and other stakeholders with Instrumentation and Electrical engineering services requests related to safety and reliability vulnerabilities in the plant. These may be identified through various work processes including work orders, incident investigations or technical service requests.
• Ensures the plant Management of Change (MOC) process is followed for all plant modifications.
• Ensures all Instrument and Electrical drawings and documentation are controlled according to the Methanex Geismar procedures and standards.
• Advises and assists in the development of plant control loops and related control systems.
• Provides support to troubleshoot and navigate basic control system issues to verify instrumentation is working correctly.
• Responsible for ensuring AMS for instrumentation is functional.
• Familiar with control valve specification and loop tuning.
• Advises in the development of maintenance plans to ensure the I/E systems are operating with optimal efficiency and reliability.
• Conducts investigations for all system failures and identifies the system modifications, upgrades or changes required for prevention.
• Provides technical advice and assistance to the I/E Supervisor, I/E Technicians and the Operations Department on Instrument and Electrical systems.
• Advises the Operations Department in the development of operational procedures relating to Instrumentation and Electrical systems.
• Identifies Instrumentation and Electrical systems training requirements for Maintenance Technicians.
• Maintains an understanding of the Electrical Safety Code and ensures the plant follows all applicable electrical and instrumentation standard. Ensures Power System Studies are updated.
• Develops procedures for specialized system tests and calibrations.
• Prepares a high-level Schedule during Stage 1 of an assigned project.
• Prepares an Order of Magnitude cost estimate during Stage 1 of an assigned project.
• Supports Schedulers, Cost Estimators, or similar roles within the Maintenance execution organization on the preparation of classified cost estimates and detailed schedules.
• Monitors the performance of contractor companies to meet project priorities and minimize schedule delays/cost increases.
• Supports SMT requests related to project engineering issues.
• Collaborates with Project Cost Accountant to track project cost against AFE budget, developing and communicating requirements for addendums as needed.
• Actively promotes compliance with Methanex policies, procedures and applicable standards with engineering, construction and construction support contractors.
• Collaborates with the Technical team in developing and actioning the annual department plan; ensures individual activities align with Geismar business plan and Corporate Strategy.
• Ensures individual compliance with all Methanex HR policies and procedures, including performance optimization.
• Ensures compliance with local, state, and national regulation requirements regarding pressure equipment, safety and environmental.
• Revises priorities on an ongoing basis in response to project needs.
• Leads or participates in project hazard and HAZOP reviews.
• Networks with other Methanex sites to the mutual benefit of all sites.
• Responsible for ensuring awareness of all controlled documents relating to this position as per Document Awareness Report from Document Management Database.
• Contributes to the ‘operational excellence’ for Methanex USA as an effective member of the Technical Department.
• Contributes to the organizational vision of Global Methanol Leadership and as a team member demonstrates the core values of integrity, trust, respect and professionalism.
• Demonstrated through feedback from team and leaders.
• Undertakes all aspects of the role through living the Methanex values.
• Remains current with all safety and procedural training related to the role.
• Actively participates in the site’s behavioral based safety program, Everyone Owns Safety (EOS), by completing safety observations monthly.
• Conducts all business in a manner which supports the Responsible Care® ethic.

Position Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science Degree in Engineering from an accredited institution required; Mechanical or Electrical Engineering preferred.
• Minimum of 10 years engineering experience preferred. Previous experience with Project Management is required.
• Proficiency with the PMI standards for Project Management and familiarity with stage gate processes for project management.
• Understanding of mechanical/piping engineering and design in a petrochemical environment.
• Knowledge of the petrochemical industry.
• Knowledge of standards and procedures and industry best practices.
• Project management fundamentals.
• Familiarity with industry codes and regulations.
• Safety culture in design and construction.
• Computer literacy and proficiency with Microsoft Office software.
• AutoCAD competency – considered an asset.
• Familiar with variable frequency drives (ABB, Eaton, Innomotics & Yaskawa), protective relays (SEL & GE), MCCs (Eaton), electrical switchgear (Eaton), generators, transformers, control systems, and other power system components at low, medium and high voltages up to 13.8kV.
• Familiar with, and takes ownership of, programming instrument and electrical devices as needed.
• Utilizing Power System Studies to apply to Electrical Power Distribution System.
• Able to represent Methanex Geismar instrumentation and electrical interests technically within Methanex Globally and national standards bodies as needed.
• Able to create or update Methanex instrumentation and electrical standards, including Methanex Geismar Electrical Safety Program.