Staff Heat Transfer Engineer

ConocoPhillips • Houston, TX

1d

About The Position

As a Staff Heat Transfer Engineer, you will play a critical technical leadership role in shaping how ConocoPhillips designs, operates, and optimizes heat transfer related systems across our global asset base. This is a high impact position for an engineer who thrives at the intersection of deep technical expertise, practical problem solving, and cross functional collaboration. You will guide the development of innovative thermal solutions that enhance facility reliability, energy efficiency, and long term asset integrity. Your work will directly contribute to safer operations, lower emissions, and improved production performance—helping us meet today’s energy needs while advancing toward a more sustainable future.

This is an ideal opportunity for a seasoned engineer who enjoys mentoring others, influencing strategic decisions, and driving continuous improvement in a supportive, growth-oriented culture.

Requirements

• Legally authorized to work in the United States
• Bachelor's degree or higher in Mechanical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Petroleum Engineering, related engineering field, or foreign equivalent
• 7 or more years of experience in heat‑transfer engineering in oil & gas, petrochemicals, LNG, or related heavy industry
• Experience with ASME, API, and international design codes
• Familiarity with design software such as HTRI, Aspen EDR, or similar tools

Nice To Haves

• Demonstrated expertise in thermal modeling, exchanger design, and evaluation of fired and unfired heat‑transfer equipment
• Experience supporting projects throughout the asset lifecycle (concept through operations)
• Strong communication skills with the ability to simplify complex engineering concepts for diverse audiences
• Ability to lead cross‑functional problem‑solving efforts and drive decisions in fast‑moving environments
• Advanced degree with a specialization in heat transfer or thermodynamics
• Background in identifying and implementing energy‑efficiency or emissions‑reduction improvements
• Proven ability to mentor and develop early‑career engineers
• Sees the broader implications of thermal design decisions and builds alignment across diverse stakeholders
• Identifies new technologies, methods, and design optimizations to strengthen long‑term asset performance
• Builds strong relationships based on trust and seeks opportunities to collaborate across the matrix/organizational boundaries to achieve business goals
• Applies expert‑level engineering principles while balancing safety, cost, and operational realities
• Analyzes stakeholder needs, global, political, and market trends to understand how they shape the future and impact our business results

Responsibilities

• Lead thermal design and engineering efforts for new and existing heat‑transfer equipment, including shell‑and‑tube exchangers, air‑cooled exchangers, fired heaters, heat‑recovery systems, and process heating circuits
• Provide technical authority guidance on heat‑transfer calculations, thermodynamic modeling, and equipment sizing to ensure safe, efficient, and cost‑effective designs
• Champion equipment performance improvement, conducting root‑cause analyses for fouling, vibration, corrosion, and thermal inefficiency issues
• Shape project development, delivering input from early concept selection through Front‑End Engineering Design (FEED), detailed design, fabrication, commissioning, and startup
• Collaborate cross‑functionally with process engineering, mechanical engineering, operations, inspection, and project teams to ensure holistic, lifecycle‑focused solutions
• Establish and maintain technical standards, simplifying complex concepts and ensuring clear, accessible engineering requirements for internal and external stakeholders
• Advance sustainability efforts by identifying opportunities for waste‑heat recovery, thermal‑efficiency improvement, and emissions reduction
• Mentor and develop engineers, cultivating strong heat‑transfer expertise across the organization
• May require occasional travel to fabrication shops, project sites, or operating facilities
• Ability to perform field walkdowns, which may include climbing ladders, working in outdoor environments, and navigating industrial equipment areas

What This Job Offers

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