Sr Project Engineer - I&E

Methanex•Geismar, LA

About The Position

The Senior Project Engineer – I&E facilitates development of a portfolio of capital and OPEX projects for the Geismar site. Project development work includes engineering analysis of drawings, system and functional requirements, hazard analysis, and vendor performance specifications. The role collaborates with partners across the organization to establish data and requirements for technical solutions, with a focus on life-cycle costs, emerging technologies, project milestones, quality, integrity, safety, and compliance with applicable codes and Methanex standards and procedures. For capital projects, the role leads the initial three stages—Visualization, Conceptualization, and Basic Engineering—under the Manufacturing Capital Management Process (MCMP), and monitors completion of detailed engineering. After funding is granted, the role supports the execution lead and formal project closeout. OPEX project development is more tactical and may involve instrumentation systems design, process control, control loops, low-, medium-, and high-voltage systems, or solutions to operational, safety, and maintenance challenges through the Management of Change (MOC) process. The position also provides quality assurance and subject matter expertise to peer Project Engineers and tactical support for site electrical issues. It supports plant Operations, Maintenance, and other stakeholders with I&E engineering services; helps ensure plant modifications, documentation, maintenance plans, and systems meet applicable safety and reliability requirements; and contributes to the Technical Department’s plans and operational excellence. The role is expected to uphold Methanex policies, procedures, values, safety practices, and Responsible Care® principles.

Requirements

Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering from an accredited institution; Mechanical or Electrical Engineering preferred.
Minimum of 10 years of engineering experience preferred.
Previous Project Management experience required.
Proficiency with PMI Project Management standards and familiarity with stage-gate project management processes.
Understanding of mechanical and piping engineering and design in a petrochemical environment.
Knowledge of the petrochemical industry, applicable standards and procedures, and industry best practices.
Knowledge of project management fundamentals and familiarity with industry codes and regulations.
Understanding of safety culture in design and construction.
Computer literacy and proficiency with Microsoft Office software.
Familiarity with variable frequency drives (ABB, Eaton, Innomotics, and Yaskawa), protective relays (SEL and GE), MCCs (Eaton), electrical switchgear (Eaton), generators, transformers, control systems, and other low-, medium-, and high-voltage power system components up to 13.8 kV.
Familiarity with and ownership of programming instrumentation and electrical devices as needed.
Ability to use Power System Studies in applying requirements to electrical power distribution systems.
Ability to represent Methanex Geismar I&E interests technically within Methanex globally and with national standards bodies as needed.
Ability to create or update Methanex I&E standards, including the Methanex Geismar Electrical Safety Program.
Ability to comply with applicable safety, procedural, and regulatory requirements.

Nice To Haves

Mechanical or Electrical Engineering degree preferred.
AutoCAD competency is considered an asset.

Responsibilities

Uses the Manufacturing Capital Management Process (MCMP) to progress projects from initiation to completion.
Manages technical small- to mid-sized capital projects through Stages 1 to 3 and supports execution leads on projects from Stage 4 through closeout.
Provides quality assurance support to other project leads and their portfolios.
Leads alternative studies during Stage 2 and manages contract engineering services for conceptual studies and Front-End Engineering Design (FEED).
Leads requests for funding (AFE) for assigned capital projects.
Applies appropriate codes, standards, calculations, and specifications.
Manages assigned I&E tactical issues, modifications, troubleshooting, and OPEX projects to meet safety, quality, cost, and schedule targets.
Develops scopes of work for I&E OPEX modifications in accordance with the global MOC process and ensures the plant MOC process is followed for all modifications.
Collaborates with Maintenance on troubleshooting, assessment, evaluation, inspection, and recommended solutions for I&E system issues.
Contributes to design approval for assigned OPEX projects and small modifications, ensuring appropriate discipline input and required design changes.
Ensures hazard and risk reviews are conducted and identified issues are addressed; participates as an I&E subject matter expert in HAZOPs and similar assessments when required.
Supports Operations, Maintenance, and other stakeholders with I&E engineering services related to plant safety and reliability vulnerabilities identified through work orders, incident investigations, or technical service requests.
Ensures I&E drawings and documentation are controlled according to Methanex Geismar procedures and standards.
Advises on plant control loops and related control systems, helps troubleshoot basic control system issues, and ensures instrumentation AMS is functional.
Applies familiarity with control valve specification and loop tuning.
Advises on maintenance plans to support optimal I&E system efficiency and reliability; investigates system failures and identifies preventive modifications, upgrades, or changes.
Provides technical advice to the I&E Supervisor, I&E Technicians, and Operations Department on I&E systems, and advises Operations on related operational procedures.
Identifies I&E systems training requirements for Maintenance Technicians.
Maintains understanding of the Electrical Safety Code, supports compliance with applicable electrical and instrumentation standards, and ensures Power System Studies are updated.
Develops procedures for specialized system tests and calibrations.
Prepares a high-level schedule and an order-of-magnitude cost estimate during Stage 1 of assigned projects.
Supports Maintenance execution organization roles such as schedulers and cost estimators with classified cost estimates and detailed schedules.
Monitors contractor performance to meet project priorities and minimize schedule delays and cost increases.
Supports SMT requests related to project engineering issues.
Works with the Project Cost Accountant to track project costs against AFE budgets and communicates requirements for addendums as needed.
Promotes contractor compliance with Methanex policies, procedures, and applicable standards across engineering, construction, and construction support work.
Collaborates with the Technical team on the annual department plan and aligns individual activities with the Geismar business plan and Corporate Strategy.
Complies with Methanex HR policies and procedures, including performance optimization, and with local, state, and national requirements concerning pressure equipment, safety, and the environment.
Revises priorities as project needs change and leads or participates in project hazard and HAZOP reviews.
Networks with other Methanex sites for mutual benefit and maintains awareness of controlled documents listed in the Document Awareness Report.
Contributes to Methanex USA operational excellence and the Global Methanol Leadership vision while demonstrating integrity, trust, respect, and professionalism.
Completes safety and procedural training, participates in the Everyone Owns Safety (EOS) program by completing monthly safety observations, and conducts business in support of the Responsible Care® ethic.