Combustion Engineer

Valmont Industries, Inc. • Houston, TX

10d • Onsite

About The Position

The Combustion Engineer executes engineering projects involving combustion systems in the hot-dip galvanizing industry, from design through implementation. The role supports system reliability by providing technical guidance and engineering recommendations and by initiating or updating standard work instructions, procedures, and other documentation. It requires applying engineering and project-management practices, combining engineering fundamentals with practical field experience, and working with equipment, contractors, and operations personnel to improve safety, reliability, efficiency, and product quality. The position reports to the NA Coatings Engineering Director.

The engineer designs, implements, optimizes, and troubleshoots combustion and process-heating systems at production facilities; develops engineering designs and project documentation; and manages related capital projects through commissioning. The role also supports maintenance and reliability programs, provides technical guidance and training, ensures applicable standards are met, evaluates furnace-control upgrades, and identifies energy-efficiency opportunities. The engineer may also assist with other engineering projects and plant initiatives.

The job is based at 6123 Cunningham Rd, Houston, Texas 77041. The work is approximately 65% in a normal office environment and 35% in storage, shipping, and production areas. Production-area conditions may include welding smoke, noise, seasonal temperature changes, dirt, oil, coolant, and other manufacturing conditions. The position requires up to 50% domestic and international travel, including overnight stays. Extended hours may be required to support production, troubleshoot issues, or meet project deadlines.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or a related field.
• At least 3 years of work experience in a manufacturing or industrial engineering position.
• Experience with PLC-based combustion-control systems and industrial automation.
• Ability to perform energy balances, mass balances, and related thermodynamic or heat-transfer calculations.
• Interest in working directly with equipment, contractors, and operations personnel to improve safety, reliability, efficiency, and product quality.
• Strong oral and written communication skills, including the ability to present information clearly and concisely to management.
• Ability to work independently and as a member of a team across functional areas.
• Demonstrated accuracy when working with information in a fast-paced environment.
• Passion, integrity, and drive to excel and deliver exceptional results.
• Ability to travel up to 50% domestically and internationally, including overnight stays.
• Ability to work extended hours when required to meet business demands.

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related engineering qualification.
• 5 or more years of manufacturing or industrial engineering experience.
• Knowledge of energy-efficiency initiatives and emissions-reduction strategies.
• Background in Lean methodology.
• Professional Engineer (PE) license or Engineer-in-Training (EIT) certification.
• Experience with combustion analyzers, process instrumentation, and data collection.
• Working knowledge of AutoCAD or SolidWorks.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Excel, Word, Access, and Outlook.

Responsibilities

• Design, implement, optimize, and troubleshoot combustion systems used throughout production facilities.
• Initiate and maintain procedures for combustion tuning, optimization, and performance testing to improve fuel efficiency, product quality, and equipment reliability.
• Troubleshoot combustion, process-heating, and thermal-system issues in a manufacturing environment.
• Troubleshoot combustion control loops, burner management systems (BMS), flame-supervision equipment, and process instrumentation.
• Develop engineering designs, equipment specifications, P&IDs, calculations, and project documentation.
• Configure and validate control devices, including thermocouples, pressure transmitters, flow meters, control valves, VFDs, and oxygen analyzers.
• Configure and optimize furnace-control systems for safe, stable, and efficient operation.
• Manage combustion-related capital projects from concept through commissioning, including budgeting, scheduling, vendor coordination, installation, and startup.
• Work with operations, maintenance, production, and safety teams to identify and implement process improvements.
• Support preventive-maintenance programs and establish best practices for combustion-equipment reliability.
• Ensure compliance with applicable safety, environmental, and industry standards related to combustion systems.
• Coordinate with equipment suppliers, contractors, and engineering consultants during project execution.
• Provide technical support and training to operations and maintenance personnel.
• Evaluate and implement upgrades to legacy furnace-control systems to improve reliability, maintainability, and operational performance.
• Identify energy-efficiency opportunities.
• Assist with other capital projects, equipment upgrades, process improvements, and plant initiatives, including work beyond combustion-based equipment.
• Collaborate across departments and balance office-based engineering work with field support and equipment commissioning.
• Travel domestically and internationally, including overnight stays, as required; travel may reach 50%.
• Work extended hours when needed to support production, troubleshooting, or project deadlines.

Benefits

• Healthcare, including medical, prescription drugs, dental, and vision.
• 401(k) retirement plan with company match.
• Paid time off.
• Employer-paid life insurance.
• Employer-paid short-term and long-term disability, including maternity leave.
• Work Life Support.
• Tuition reimbursement up to $5,250 per year.
• Voluntary programs, including tobacco cessation, Type 2 diabetes reversal, one-on-one health coaching, and mortgage services.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level