Principal Mechanical Engineer

Company: Plug Power
Location: Houston
Posted on: March 20, 2023

Job Description:

Principal Mechanical Engineer

Status: Exempt (salaried)

The Senior Mechanical Project Engineer, with more than ten (10+) years' experience, is the lead engineer accountable for the success of the technical scope of the project and has significant client interaction. Responsible for preparing, planning, forecasting, executing, monitoring, and managing all the technical activities (and resources) aiming at assuring project accuracy and quality from conception to completion.

This role requires thorough understanding of "typical" engineering execution procedures, and relationships between multidiscipline predecessors and successors. As a multidiscipline leader, this individual is expected to function in this capacity with minimal supervision, mentor less experienced engineers, and promote innovative thinking and problem solving. When required, during new technology development phase, the incumbent will provide mechanical design expertise and later will transition to an expert project engineer role to support execution and completion of the developed technology.

Job Responsibilities

• Provide strong leadership to drive and review mechanical technical design.
• Perform technical studies and prepare reports.
• Evaluate equipment and systems to ensure compliance with engineering and safety standards.
• Create and update the standard documentation related to the product design and performances, including user manuals.
• Develop technical specifications for all equipment and components related to Hydrogen Liquefaction. This includes (but is not limited to) compressors, expanders, cryogenic pumps, liquid hydrogen vaporizers, Heat exchangers and BAHEXs, refrigeration systems and valves.
• Create and update the standard documentation related to the product design and performances, including user manuals.
• Work with external engineering disciplines to provide instruction, review deliverables and assure timeliness and quality of mechanical engineering deliverables.
• Interact with committees that establish codes and standards and ensure the technology & engineering team has a full understanding of any updates to applicable codes (NFPA, CGA, etc.).
• Collaborate with vendors as necessary to develop products specific to Plug Processing designs. Ensure the new developments meet all applicable codes and standards.
• Manage all phases of the technical project. Including all Engineering, Design, and technical resources associated with the project; to complete the project within budget and on schedule.
• Work closely with the process engineering team to clearly define design and project requirements.
• Review supplier drawings and calculations of equipment, following industry codes plus Joule Processing and clients technical and safety standards.
• Coordinate development of all technical deliverables during engineering, design, fabrication, and commissioning phases of projects. This includes assisting the PMO in the development of the PEP (e.g. deliverables list, schedule input, procurement plan, project specifications, etc.) and the ongoing delegation of engineering deliverables and approvals to the Project Engineers on staff.
• Develop and manage the Technical Scope of Work, Schedule, and Execution Plan.
• Provide technical instruction and guidance, for all Engineering and Design resources assigned to the project; to enable them to complete their required deliverables most efficiently.
• Analyze and interpret client requirements for implementation, including communication to the technical project team.
• Excel at client interaction and management.
• Review of all technical deliverables (Engineering & Design) to ensure that they comply with the technical SOW, applicable codes, practices, policies, and performance standards/specifications.
• Perform engineering calculations to ensure products and systems conform to Joule and customer specifications.
• Effectively communicate with the Project Manager, and other shareholders within the project team, to provide technical support.
• Recommend design improvements to reduce cost and/or improve quality.
• Provide technical/functional definition for all procured equipment and services, through the development of RFQ Packages and purchase requisitions.
• Serve as the primary technical interface with 3rd party manufactures, integrators, and fabricators
• Actively attend 3rd party inspections and FAT's, as required, to satisfy the Project ITP, and the Company quality initiative.
• Support Project Manager, responsible for the overall project, as required with regular updates on engineering and subcontractor progress and schedule and budget recovery planning.
• Responsible for the project technical Management of Change.
• Serve as the backup to the Project Manager should the need arise.
• Provide on-site startup and commissioning support.
• Thoroughly understand and execute swim lane responsibilities in the Project Execution Plan Workflow in a timely and accurate manner. Foster collaboration and healthy synergy between all project team members.
• Exempt employees are expected to work as many hours as is necessary to complete their job responsibilities. This may require they work more than eight hours a day and more than five days or 40 hours per week. Experience Requirements
  • 10+ years in technical project settings for engineered equipment/projects
  • Minimum of five (5) years Chemical, petrochemical or oil & gas experience
  • Experience specifying process equipment in cryogenic services including hydrogen compressors, heat exchangers, expanders, pumps, and cold box.
  • Knowledge of safety related design elements in hydrogen processing is desired.
  • Working experience with materials of construction used in cryogenic hydrogen services.
  • Experience specifying hydrogen storage, piping and transportation systems.
  • Knowledge of Hydrogen production technologies is a plus.
  • Experience in gas purification such as PSA, TSA, NRU, Cryogenic gas processing or others.
  • Familiar with project management tools ( MS Project)
  • Effectively exchange information, instructions and ideas within own work group and with other cross-functional groups.Must be organized, self-directed, able to prioritize and multi-task, work in a team environment and take direction from others.
  • Ability to role model high standards of professionalism
  • Excellent follow-through
  • Must be driven and self-motivated
  • Must possess the highest ethical standards and a supreme commitment to quality
  • Exempt employees are expected to work as many hours as is necessary to complete their job responsibilities. This may require they work more than eight hours a day and more than five days or 40 hours per week. Education:
    • Bachelor's degree in Mechanical. Master's degree a plus.
      
      Pay Rate:
      
      $86,815.00 - $138,904.00
      
      We offer a fantastic total rewards package at Plug, and a brief summary is below:
      
      Base salary is determined on a number of factors including but not limited to education, experience, skills, and geography. These factors are considered when making an offer of employment. If you are interested in this position, we'd ask that you apply.
      
      The above pay range, may not take into account local geographic pay variations. If there is an applicable geographic differential, a member of the HR team can discuss that with you.
      
      Health, Dental & Vision Insurance eligibility starting from the first day of hire
      
      401(k) with 5% company match
      
      Bonus eligibility
      
      Paid time off including vacation, personal and sick time
      
      Paid Holidays
      
      Wellness Reimbursement Program
      
      Potential to apply for Tuition Reimbursement
      
      Employee Referral program
      
      Employee Assistance Program
      
      Plug Power Inc. is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.

Keywords: Plug Power, Houston , Principal Mechanical Engineer, Engineering , Houston, Texas