Lead Mechanical Engineer

The Lead Mechanical Engineer - Oil & Gas is responsible for mechanical engineering design, development, and technical leadership for oil and gas facilities, equipment, and infrastructure projects. This role provides mechanical engineering expertise, design direction, technical standards oversight, and quality assurance for mechanical work. The position requires advanced mechanical engineering expertise in oil and gas industry, deep knowledge of rotating equipment and pressure vessels, proven ability to lead engineering teams and manage design consultants, and commitment to delivering safe, reliable, and efficient mechanical systems.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Mechanical Equipment Design & Specification

Lead design and specification of mechanical equipment including pumps, compressors, turbines, heat exchangers, pressure vessels, and related equipment. Perform mechanical calculations and stress analysis. Select equipment and components ensuring reliability and efficiency. Develop equipment specifications and technical requirements. Support vendor selection and equipment evaluation.

2. Rotating Equipment & HVAC Systems Design

Design rotating equipment systems including pump and compressor stations, turbine systems, and auxiliary equipment. Design HVAC systems for facility comfort and process requirements. Perform thermodynamic calculations and efficiency analysis. Support equipment procurement and vendor coordination.

3. Pressure Vessel & Piping Design

Design pressure vessels including separators, accumulators, and storage tanks. Design piping systems including design, layout, and material selection. Perform pressure vessel and piping stress analysis. Support structural design for equipment support. Ensure designs comply with ASME standards and codes.

4. Design Standards & Quality Assurance

Establish mechanical engineering design standards aligned with industry best practices and company policies. Review designs for compliance with standards and specifications. Conduct design audits and technical reviews. Manage design changes and ensure documentation. Maintain design records and traceability.

5. Engineering Team Leadership

Lead mechanical engineering design team including engineers, designers, and technicians. Manage team performance and professional development. Assign work and provide technical guidance. Foster collaborative engineering environment. Conduct technical mentoring and reviews.

6. Design Consultant Management

Manage relationships with mechanical engineering consultants and equipment vendors. Define scope and technical requirements. Review consultant deliverables for compliance with standards. Manage consultant performance and schedules. Approve designs before implementation.

7. Multidisciplinary Engineering Integration

Manage interfaces between mechanical and other engineering disciplines. Coordinate design activities ensuring effective integration. Resolve design conflicts and coordinate solutions. Support interface control documentation and change management.

8. Field Support & Commissioning

Provide mechanical engineering support during equipment installation and commissioning. Review installation quality and ensure compliance with specifications. Support system testing and startup. Resolve field issues and approve field modifications. Support operations transition.

9. Reliability & Maintenance Engineering

Apply reliability engineering principles to design improving equipment reliability and availability. Support maintenance planning and spare parts identification. Participate in failure investigation and root cause analysis. Support operational reliability improvement initiatives.

10. Technical Knowledge & Continuous Improvement

Develop and maintain technical expertise in mechanical engineering for oil and gas industry. Stay current with technology, codes, and best practices. Mentor junior engineers and support technical development. Capture lessons learned supporting process improvements.

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE

Oil & Gas Mechanical Engineering: Minimum 12+ years of mechanical engineering experience in oil and gas industry with responsibility for design leadership of mechanical systems, rotating equipment, or pressure vessels in facilities and infrastructure projects.

Rotating Equipment & Pressure Vessels: Demonstrated experience in design of rotating equipment (pumps, compressors, turbines) and pressure vessels. Knowledge of equipment operation, selection, and reliability.

Project & Technical Leadership: Experience leading mechanical engineering teams, managing design consultants, and providing technical direction on multidisciplinary projects. Field support experience on installation and commissioning.

KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS

1. Mechanical Engineering Design Expertise

Expert-level technical knowledge of mechanical engineering principles, design methodologies, and applying best practices to oil and gas mechanical system design.

2. Rotating Equipment & Systems

Advanced understanding of pump systems, compressor systems, turbine systems, and auxiliary equipment for oil and gas operations.

3. Pressure Vessels & Piping

Comprehensive knowledge of pressure vessel design per ASME standards, piping system design, and material selection for oil and gas service.

4. Oil & Gas Process & Operations

Deep understanding of oil and gas operations, process requirements, and how mechanical systems support facility function and operational performance.

5. Team Leadership & Engineering Management

Advanced capability in team leadership, engineering management, and managing complex engineering interfaces in multidisciplinary environments.

EDUCATION & CERTIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering

• Professional Engineer (PE) license in Mechanical Engineering is required or preferred

• Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field is advantageous

• Specialized certifications in rotating equipment, pressure vessels, or oil and gas engineering are beneficial