Manager, Pipeline Engineering — Power and Energy

Nscale•Houston, TX

1d•$130,000 - $210,000•Hybrid

About The Position

Nscale is seeking a Manager, Pipeline Engineering to oversee the engineering of natural gas transmission pipelines for its generation campuses. This role involves managing the entire pipeline lifecycle, from upstream interconnects to the plant fence. Nscale's Power and Energy group focuses on behind-the-meter generation, utilizing large reciprocating engine fleets powered by dedicated, large-diameter gas transmission pipelines. These pipelines are critical for supplying hundreds of millions of cubic feet of gas daily and also serve as energy storage through line pack. The role requires a strong understanding of process engineering principles, as much of the work deviates from conventional pipeline design. The successful candidate will establish design bases, drive engineering through hydraulic design, controls, and construction, and technically manage third-party engineering firms and contractors. This is a hands-on technical leadership position for an individual who can operate with minimal supervision, owning both current systems and future reference engineering. The role sits within the Power and Energy technology organization, collaborating with generation engineering and commissioning teams, and acting as the owner's technical authority for the pipeline scope. The position requires resolving unique design challenges posed by a single customer with AI workload-driven demand fluctuations.

Requirements

12+ years of natural gas pipeline engineering experience across design, construction, and operations, with significant time in a lead or owner's engineer role on transmission systems.
Deep hydraulic engineering capability, including transient modeling of gas transmission systems.
Strong process engineering instincts, including comfort with inventory-based system behavior, regulation and overpressure protection design, control philosophy development, and process safety methods such as HAZOP.
Working fluency with 49 CFR Part 192 and ASME B31.8, including MAOP determination, class location, and code interfaces with plant piping.
Hands-on experience with measurement and regulation stations, interconnects with major interstate pipelines, and commercial mechanics of nominations and transportation.
Experience taking pipeline scopes through construction, hydrotest, and first gas on major projects.
Proven ability to direct engineering consultants and construction contractors.
Demonstrated ability to run a scope with minimal oversight.
Proven ability to build standards, processes, and small teams in a fast-scaling environment.
Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Chemical, or Civil Engineering or a related field.
Willing and able to travel to project sites, vendor facilities, and construction spreads regularly (typically 25%, higher during construction and commissioning campaigns).

Nice To Haves

PE license preferred.

Responsibilities

Own the design basis for Nscale's gas transmission pipelines, including hydraulic design, MAOP and pressure regime, line pack and inventory strategy, routing and sizing philosophy, and expansion provisions.
Perform and direct steady-state and transient hydraulic modeling of pipeline systems, managing models as living engineering assets.
Demonstrate how the pipeline design basis supports downstream commitments, such as engine fleet demand, campus availability, and the nominations-versus-consumption balance.
Evaluate gas storage and supply resilience options, including line pack utilization, interconnect diversity, and cross-connection strategies.
Own the overpressure protection philosophy, including regulation, monitor, slam-shut, and relief selection, based on reliability requirements and industry practice.
Define the control philosophy at interconnects, letdown stations, and plant interfaces, including pressure versus flow control and measurement/SCADA provisions.
Apply process safety discipline, leading and supporting HAZOPs and design reviews, and managing change through design and construction.
Engineer the interface into plant fuel gas systems, coordinating conditioning, letdown, and protection philosophies.
Own compliance of pipeline designs with 49 CFR Part 192 and applicable ASME B31 codes.
Establish material, welding, and construction specifications, class location and MAOP documentation, and records discipline.
Lay the foundation for integrity management, including baseline assessment planning, pigging and inspection provisions, and mainline valve philosophy.
Support commissioning and first gas activities, including purge and pack planning and energization of measurement and control systems.
Technically manage engineering consultants, reviewing deliverables and integrating their output.
Direct pipeline construction contractors on technical matters, including specification compliance and deviation dispositions.
Own the technical interface with upstream pipeline operators and interconnect counterparties.
Develop Nscale's engineering standards, specifications, and reference designs for gas pipelines.
Coordinate with generation engineering, permitting and land teams, and commercial teams.
Grow internal pipeline engineering capability, directing consultants and building a team.
Communicate complex pipeline and process issues clearly to project leadership and executives.