JOB TITLE: Project Engineering Manager, Industrial and Refinery
LOCATION: Houston / Corpus Christi, TX
OPENINGS: 1
TRAVEL: Up to 50% between project locations
DURATION: 3-6+ Month Contract to Hire
RATE RANGE: $70-75/hour
TOP 3 SKILLS:
- 10 15+ years of engineering and design management on large heavy industrial, refining or chemical processing projects
- Leading multidisciplinary engineering teams, with direct people leadership and management of third-party design firms
- Full project lifecycle experience (concept, FEED, detailed design, procurement, construction and commissioning), including constructability, change control and design-to-construction integration
POSITION SUMMARY:
Our client is looking for a Project Engineering Manager to own project engineering on major industrial and refinery capital projects. This leader builds and manages a team of project engineers and oversees third-party design firms. Their job is to make sure design packages are on time, coordinated and buildable, supporting procurement, construction and the master schedule. They work closely with construction, project controls, EHS (environment, health and safety) and supply chain leadership, push for cost-effective design decisions, and report progress and risks to the head of engineering. The role needs a hands-on leader who combines technical depth with big-picture ownership in a fast-paced, high-accountability environment.
RESPONSIBILITIES:- Own project engineering for major industrial and refinery projects, making sure deliverables support construction success, cost, schedule and return on investment.
- Lead, mentor and grow a team of project engineers, including hiring, performance management, resource planning and building team capability.
- Drive accountability for design scoping, prioritization, planning, interface management, constructability and change control.
- Deliver timely, coordinated and buildable design packages that support procurement, field execution, commissioning and the master schedule.
- Work with Construction PMs, Construction Managers, Superintendents, QA/QC, Project Controls, EHS, Supply Chain and other stakeholders to align engineering with construction sequencing and operational needs.
- Optimize designs for cost, schedule, constructability and long-term value; challenge requirements and make trade-off decisions based on data.
- Manage design risks, interfaces, schedules, changes, document control and communication.
- Identify resource needs, close capability gaps and scale the engineering team for current and future programs.
- Build systems and processes for successful project execution.
- Build a culture of ownership, clear communication, fast issue resolution and continuous improvement between design and construction.
- Report progress, risks and key decisions to the head of engineering and cross-functional leadership, with supporting data.
- Monitor and give feedback in HAZOP (hazard and operability) reviews from FEED (front-end engineering design) through execution.
QUALIFICATIONS:- 10 15+ years of progressive engineering and design management on large heavy industrial, refining or chemical processing projects.
- Proven experience leading multidisciplinary design teams on complex capital (CAPEX) projects, with direct people leadership.
- Success managing both internal engineering teams that deliver design packages and third-party design firms.
- Strong experience across the full project lifecycle on large projects: concept, FEED, detailed design, procurement support, construction and commissioning.
- Deep understanding of design deliverables, construction work packages, RFI processes, constructability reviews, change control and design-construction integration.
- Experience with codes, standards, permits and AHJs (Authorities Having Jurisdiction) on industrial projects.
- Excellent leadership, communication and stakeholder management; able to influence across functions and align diverse teams.
- Thrives in a fast-paced, high-accountability environment while balancing technical detail with big-picture ownership.
- Willing to travel up to 50% between project locations.
TECHNICAL SKILLS:- Design packages, construction work packaging and RFI and change-control processes
- HAZOP reviews and the FEED-to-execution lifecycle
- Industrial codes, standards and permitting
- Nice to have: Bluebeam, Navisworks or similar; project controls, scheduling tools and integrated master schedules
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:- Professional Engineer (PE) license
- Advanced degree in engineering
- Experience with design collaboration and review tools like Bluebeam and Navisworks
- Familiarity with project controls, scheduling tools and integrated master schedules
- Experience on both greenfield and brownfield industrial projects
EDUCATION:- Bachelor s degree in Mechanical, Chemical, Civil, Structural, Electrical or a related engineering discipline, or equivalent experience. An advanced degree is a plus.
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.