Engineer IV-Hydraulic Engineering

Tallgrass•Lakewood, CO

About The Position

The Hydraulics CO2 Engineer is a member of the Operations Control & Systems Engineering team and is responsible for technically evaluating natural gas and CO2 pipeline systems from a hydraulic standpoint. The role supports and maintains hydraulic models using DNV Synergi (SPS), Gregg Engineering NextGen, OLGA, Multiflash, and Pipesem for steady-state and transient flow, including single-phase and multiphase regimes. Work includes surge analysis, capacity optimization, and commercial and business-development scenario modeling. The position provides expert consultation on hydraulic and surge analysis for CO2 pipelines, pumps, and compressors; supports real-time computational monitoring and operational improvements; and evaluates model performance against actual pipeline behavior. The engineer works closely with commercial and business-development teams on potential expansions and acquisitions, communicating technical findings professionally and promptly. The role also mentors and provides peer review for other operations and system-design engineers, trains pipeline controllers, supports cross-functional engineering teams, and contributes to technical decisions, best practices, and long-term technical direction. The position requires a bachelor’s degree in an engineering discipline, at least 15 years of related pipeline experience, a US or Canadian Professional Engineer license, expert-level OLGA knowledge, and expertise in pipeline surge analysis. Work is primarily office-based, with field activities and travel as needed. Non-traditional hours and occasional overtime may be required, and the employee must be available by cell phone during working and non-working hours.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution in Mechanical, Civil, Petroleum, or Chemical Engineering.
At least 15 years of related pipeline experience.
Professional Engineer license in the United States or Canada.
Subject-matter-expert-level knowledge and application of OLGA software.
Expertise in pipeline surge analysis.
Knowledge of hydraulics, automation, leak-detection technologies, modeling, statistical analysis, measurement and instrumentation, and SCADA, including configuring, tuning, and maintaining advanced leak-detection systems in a dynamic Control Center environment.
Recognized industry technical expertise in hydraulic simulations and design.
Thorough knowledge of general engineering principles and theories, fluid dynamics, and mechanics.
Ability to work in a regulated environment that may involve sensitive company and customer information.
Familiarity with DOT, EPA, OSHA, and other applicable pipeline-safety and environmental regulations.
Valid driver’s license and driving record satisfactory to the company and its insurers for travel.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills and proficiency in basic engineering skills.
Ability to plan and deliver complex, long-term, multi-team or system projects, including projects with external dependencies, and independently scope, design, and deliver solutions to large, complex challenges.
Ability to assess the feasibility of proposed engineering evaluation tests or products when data may be insufficient.
Ability to develop solutions that work for the overall system.
Ability to perform the essential and marginal functions of the job, collaborate with a team, take direction, follow work schedules and rules, and focus on details.
Ability to manage multiple tasks with strict deadlines, organize and prioritize work, and communicate goals in solution or project terms.
Ability to lead by example, inspire others, de-escalate conflicts, and build consensus on technical matters.
Ability to work non-traditional hours as needed, work occasional overtime, respond during working and non-working hours, and work in all weather conditions.
Ability to satisfy the job’s physical demands, including prolonged sitting, mobility, driving, vision and hearing, reaching, bending, kneeling, climbing or balancing, and lifting or moving up to 25 pounds.
Ability to clear a drug screen and complete a background check after an offer and before employment.

Nice To Haves

Advanced computer skills.
Knowledge of or application experience with industry standards such as DOT 49 CFR 192, API, ASME, ANSI, NACE, and NEC.

Responsibilities

Support, configure, and maintain hydraulic models for CO2 and natural gas pipelines using Synergi, NextGen, OLGA, Multiflash, and Pipesem.
Perform surge analysis on existing and proposed pipelines to assess surge-relief-system adequacy and identify solutions to deficiencies.
Provide expert consultation on design, development, and implementation of hydraulic and surge analysis for CO2 pipelines, pumps, and compressors in single-phase and multiphase flow regimes.
Provide consultation and project support for hydraulic applications and real-time computer-based computational monitoring.
Guide high-level technical decisions, influence architectural choices, and solve intricate problems.
Collaborate with key staff engineers and lead cross-functional teams to align technical work with business objectives.
Drive innovation, introduce best practices, and promote the long-term sustainability of technical solutions.
Evaluate model performance against actual pipeline performance and identify and implement improvements.
Train pipeline controllers to understand hydraulics and operational issues.
Evaluate pipeline performance opportunities for the control center and provide input on operational philosophies and improvements.
Model potential acquisitions and expansion projects for Commercial and Business Development, identifying hydraulic limitations and design needs.
Coordinate efforts with other departments and demonstrate leadership in work groups through hydraulic-analysis and design expertise.
Assist the Leak Detection Engineer in aligning hydraulic models used for RTTM/CPM leak detection with transient hydraulic models.
Support Field Engineering teams with surge-relief design and settings and automated shutdown logic.
Support Automation teams with valve timing and automated shutdown and slowdown logic.
Assist Integrity Engineering teams with ILI tool runs and potential pressure reductions related to throughput impacts.
Participate in front-end hydraulic analysis for projects and peer review of modeling by operations and system-design engineers.
Participate in incident investigations and the Management of Change process, and document best practices.
Communicate technical information clearly to non-technical personnel, management, peers, and other disciplines.
Help management set technical objectives and maintain dependable attendance, strong performance, and regard for personal, company, employee, and public safety.
Perform other duties and special-project work as assigned.

Benefits

Industry-competitive pay.
Health insurance package options, including Flexible Spending Accounts and Health Savings Accounts.
Infertility coverage.
Parental leave.
401(k) with up to a 6% match that vests immediately, plus an employer discretionary contribution of up to 4%.
Wellness programs and mental health resources.
Employer-paid life insurance and short-term and long-term disability coverage.
Critical illness and accident insurance.
Vacation, sick days, paid caregiver leave, volunteer time off, and bereavement paid time off.
Identity theft protection.
Annual discretionary bonus.
Tuition reimbursement program.
Company-paid holidays and floating holidays.
Company vehicle, if applicable.
Employee discounts, including vehicles, tires, and cellular plans.
Networking and employee engagement events.
Personal development opportunities.