JOB TITLE: Mechanical Engineer (Static Equipment)
LOCATION: Houston / Corpus Christi region, TX
DURATION: 3-6+ Months Contract to Hire
RATE RANGE: $60-70/hour
TOP 3 SKILLS:
- 7+ years of static equipment engineering (pressure vessels, columns, drums, tanks, heat exchangers) on heavy industrial or chemical facilities
- Working knowledge of ASME Section VIII Division 1 and flange pressure-temperature ratings, including reviewing vendor calculations, drawings and data books
- Shop and field fabrication support: NDE (non-destructive examination) hold points, receiving inspection and non-conformance decisions
POSITION SUMMARY:
Our client is looking for a Mechanical Engineer to own static equipment on a large industrial construction program, from datasheets and vendor review through fabrication, delivery and field installation. This person makes sure pressure vessels, columns, drums, tanks and heat exchangers meet code and specifications before they re built. They resolve interface conflicts with piping, stress and civil teams, and get each piece of equipment documented and registered so it can be placed in service. The role is field-heavy and needs a practical problem solver who holds the line on code requirements under aggressive timelines.
RESPONSIBILITIES:- Own static equipment from datasheet and vendor review through fabrication, receiving and field installation support. This covers pressure vessels, columns, drums, tanks and heat exchangers.
- Review vendor calculations, general arrangements, fabrication drawings and data books against ASME Section VIII, project specifications and piping class. Accept, comment on or reject them before release for fabrication.
- Resolve nozzle-load, flange-rating and foundation conflicts with piping, stress and civil teams, so calculations, drawings and nameplates stay consistent.
- Support shop and field inspection hold points, receiving inspections and non-conformance decisions (repair, use-as-is or reject) with a realistic view of schedule.
- Support Texas pressure-vessel registration paperwork, including nameplate data, Manufacturer s Data Reports and complete data books, so equipment can be placed in service.
- Advise on shop vs. field fabrication, transport limits, PWHT (post-weld heat treatment), and materials or corrosion boundaries where specifications change.
- Coordinate with process, piping, civil, construction, QA and vendors on constructability, lifting and setting, and as-built documentation.
- Support mechanical completion and punchlist close-out on static equipment without weakening code or specification requirements.
QUALIFICATIONS:- 7+ years of static equipment engineering covering pressure vessels, columns, drums, tanks and/or heat exchangers on heavy industrial, chemical or similarly complex facilities.
- Working knowledge of ASME Section VIII Division 1 and flange pressure-temperature ratings, including resolving rating mismatches between calculations, general arrangements and piping class.
- Experience reviewing vendor vessel and exchanger packages (calculations, general arrangements, fabrication drawings, Manufacturer s Data Reports) and holding incomplete or conflicting documents before fabrication.
- Able to read P&IDs (piping and instrumentation diagrams), vessel general arrangements, nozzle schedules, piping isometrics and foundation drawings.
- Experience with shop and field fabrication issues, NDE hold points, receiving inspection and non-conformance decisions.
- Familiar with Texas pressure-vessel registration, or a similar state or AIA (Authorized Inspection Agency) process, and with complete data books for in-service equipment.
- Proven ability to find technical and field issues, develop practical solutions and close them under aggressive timelines.
- Excellent written and verbal communication; works well in a fast-paced, cross-functional environment.
- Willing to spend a high share of time in the field and work directly with construction, QA and vendors.
TECHNICAL SKILLS:- Codeware COMPRESS or similar pressure-vessel design software
- Bluebeam
- ASME Section VIII Div. 1 and flange pressure-temperature ratings
- P&IDs, nozzle schedules, piping isometrics and foundation drawings
- Nice to have: Navisworks
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:- Professional Engineer (PE) license or EIT (Engineer in Training) certification
- Experience with TEMA (heat exchangers), API 660 (shell-and-tube exchangers), API 661 (air-cooled exchangers) and/or API 650 (storage tanks) equipment
- Experience on $200M+ industrial programs, with exposure to both owner and contractor organizations
- Materials and corrosion experience where specifications change, including clad, FRP (fiberglass) or high-alloy equipment
- Experience on greenfield chemical or high-hazard manufacturing construction
EDUCATION:- Bachelor s degree in Mechanical Engineering, or equivalent experience
BENEFITS SUMMARY:
Individual compensation is determined by skills, qualifications, experience, and location. Compensation details listed in this posting reflect the base hourly rate or annual salary only, unless otherwise stated. In addition to base compensation, full-time roles are eligible for Medical, Dental, Vision, Commuter and 401K benefits with company matching.
FAIR CHANCE POLICY:
Pursuant to the California Fair Chance Act, Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers, Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, and San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, qualified applicants will be considered for assignment with arrest and conviction records. Criminal history may have a direct, adverse, and negative relationship with some of the material job duties of this position. These include the duties and responsibilities listed above, as well as the abilities to adhere to company policies, exercise sound judgment, effectively manage stress and work safely and respectfully with others, exhibit trustworthiness, meet client expectations, standards, and accompanying requirements, and safeguard business operations and company reputation.