Senior Project Engineer

Kent•Sherwood Park, AB

32d•Onsite

About The Position

Kent is seeking an experienced Senior Project Engineer (Owner’s Representative) to join a client secondment team supporting a major refining and manufacturing asset near Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta. This role is responsible for delivering assigned engineering services projects in accordance with contractual requirements, KPIs, regulatory obligations, and Owner expectations. The Senior Project Engineer will act as a key liaison between the client, EPC contractors, engineering service providers, and site stakeholders, ensuring effective communication and successful project execution throughout the project lifecycle. The position will manage a portfolio of capital projects valued up to $50MM USD, overseeing projects from the Select phase through detailed design, execution, commissioning, start-up, and close-out, including both home office and field execution. Close collaboration with Production, Maintenance, Turnaround, Construction, Operations, and Engineering teams in a brownfield refining environment is essential. The candidate will be accountable for delivering projects safely, on schedule, within budget, and to the required quality standards, while effectively managing risks, stakeholder expectations, engineering deliverables, and contractor performance. The ideal candidate will have significant experience in capital project delivery within the oil and gas, refining, petrochemical, or heavy industrial sectors, with a preference for Owner’s project engineering experience and expertise in managing project cash flows, budgets, latest estimates, and project controls. This is a site-based position seconded to a client manufacturing and refining asset near Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta.

Requirements

Bachelor's Degree in Engineering from an accredited institution.
Professional Engineer (P.Eng.) designation or eligibility for registration with APEGA.
Minimum 12 years of relevant project engineering and project management experience within the oil and gas, refining, petrochemical, or heavy industrial sectors.
Experience managing capital projects up to $50MM USD.
Strong understanding of project management principles and the interaction between engineering disciplines.
Demonstrated experience managing project cash flows, budgets, forecasts, and latest estimates.
Working knowledge of project planning and control methodologies.
Strong understanding of contracting, procurement, construction, commissioning, and startup activities.
Experience coordinating multi-discipline engineering teams and EPC contractors.
Working knowledge of project risk management and mitigation strategies.
Knowledge of applicable industry standards, engineering practices, and regulatory requirements.
Strong understanding of process safety management principles and risk reduction concepts.
Knowledge of the interfaces between Process, Mechanical, Civil/Structural, Electrical, Instrumentation & Controls, and Piping disciplines.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Teams.
Proven ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously within a fast-paced environment.
Demonstrated ability to make sound decisions within tight timeframes and changing project conditions.
Excellent command of the English language in both oral and written communication and skills.
Strong presentation, facilitation, and stakeholder engagement capabilities.
Ability to effectively communicate technical, commercial, and project execution matters to project teams, management, clients, and contractors.
Ability to develop and maintain productive working relationships across all levels of the organization.
Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to influence stakeholders and drive project outcomes.
Strong leadership and accountability.
Excellent interpersonal and relationship-building skills.
Demonstrated ability to influence stakeholders without direct authority.
Strong organizational and time management skills.
Results-driven with a commitment to project delivery excellence.
Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities.
Collaborative and team-oriented approach.
Self-motivated and goal-oriented.
Adaptable and capable of managing competing priorities.
Commitment to mentoring, continuous improvement, and professional development.
High level of professionalism, integrity, and ethical conduct.
Ability to thrive within a dynamic, fast-paced project environment.
The Employee shall observe the Health, Safety, Sustainability, Environment and Quality rules of the Company; it’s clients and the governing authorities of the host country.

Nice To Haves

Preference for Mechanical Engineering or Civil Engineering disciplines.
Experience as an Owner’s Project Engineer or Owner’s Representative is strongly preferred.
Brownfield refinery, upgrader, petrochemical, or manufacturing facility experience is considered a strong asset.

Responsibilities

Lead assigned projects through the client’s Opportunity Realization Work Process from project definition through close-out.
Manage a portfolio of capital projects from the Select phase through commissioning and project close-out.
Deliver projects safely, on schedule, within budget, and in accordance with approved scope and quality requirements.
Manage multiple projects concurrently at varying stages of development and execution.
Establish project execution strategies aligned with Owner priorities and business objectives.
Develop, approve, and coordinate project work to ensure safety, cost, quality, and schedule objectives are achieved.
Lead project meetings, workshops, design reviews, and stakeholder engagements.
Develop, monitor, and control project budgets, forecasts, cash flows, schedules, and resource plans.
Manage project costs, latest estimates, and forecasting activities.
Maintain project performance against approved budgets, schedules, and established KPIs.
Facilitate and manage Owner change management processes.
Support contracting, procurement, and contractor performance management activities.
Prepare project reports, forecasts, and status updates for stakeholders and management.
Coordinate and manage multi-discipline engineering activities and deliverables.
Facilitate detailed design reviews and technical evaluations.
Interface closely with EPC contractors and engineering service providers throughout all project phases.
Ensure engineering solutions comply with company standards, regulatory requirements, and industry best practices.
Provide technical guidance, leadership, and mentorship to junior engineers and project team members.
Identify, assess, and manage project and technical risks throughout the project lifecycle.
Collaborate with Production Area Teams to evaluate and mitigate project risks.
Support Operations Readiness, Mechanical Completion, Commissioning, Start-Up (C&SU), and Project-to-Asset Transition activities.
Work closely with Production and Maintenance Planning teams to ensure successful startup and operational integration within a brownfield refining environment.
Act as the primary liaison between the Owner, EPC contractors, consultants, and site stakeholders.
Build and maintain strong client-contractor relationships.
Manage project stakeholders across multiple interfaces, including operations, maintenance, engineering, construction, and contractor organizations.
Influence stakeholders to support project priorities and schedule commitments.
Facilitate resolution of project issues and conflicting priorities.
Promote and maintain a strong safety culture throughout project execution.
Apply process safety risk reduction principles and ensure compliance with company standards and procedures.
Ensure all work activities comply with regulatory, environmental, health, safety, and quality requirements.
Support adherence to applicable engineering practices, work processes, and industry standards.