← Search all jobs

Principal Process Engineer

McDermott

Houston, TX · Posted October 16, 2026

Just laid off? Start here: a plan for the first weeks

See every open role at McDermott

More in Texas job market · Energy & Utilities · Engineering jobs

More roles at McDermott

Similar jobs

Where Houston, TX ranks

Where Houston, TX placed in our monthly rankings, month by month. Each month stays online at its own address.

How AI is used in this kind of work

AI use among industrial engineers is little observed so far. Measured exposure for industrial engineers: 4% (little observed).

Share of this job’s tasks that AI is already used for at work, from real usage. It is not a forecast of job loss, and a low number means no use seen yet. Source: Anthropic Economic Index.

Check how this applies to your own job

Skills this job asks for

Say which you have and which you want to build. We use it to match you to jobs like this one.

About the job

Job Overview:

P rovides technical leadership and supervise staff assigned to them for major projects. General Description includes complex process engineering design, analysis and development of an assigned scope of work in a McDermott project and/or specific complex deliverables such as conceptual process design, process simulations, heat and material balances, P&ID and PFD development. Work includes, among other things, conceptual studies, cost and planning studies, layouts, design calculations and equipment and material specification. Is able to effectively communicate complex technical solutions and concepts to other engineers and non-engineers. Assists with training other engineers by providing instruction on new technologies and/or a specialization. Mentors junior Process Engineers. Supports the development of new technologies and methods. Is the highest level Engineer position and looked to for technical expertise. Depending on size and complexity of scope of work may be assigned as the Process Engineering Lead for a project. Maintains and promotes a focus on McDermott’s end product whether engineering, fabrication or construction. Ensures effective communications among other engineering disciplines. Ensures effective management of change. Assumes responsibility for cost, schedule, quantity and budget control.

Key Tasks and Responsibilities:

Perform conceptual, FEED, and detailed analyses and design as per design basis, project specifications, design codes, and standards

Apply in-depth skills and broad knowledge of the business to address complex problems and nonstandard situations

Prepare clear and accurate detailed design calculations and analyses including design reports and - procedures

Manage own time to meet objectives and (as Lead Engineer) forecast and plan resource requirements

Clearly communicate and explain difficult concepts and persuade others to adopt a point of view

When acting as Lead Engineer, in addition: Direct medium or large Engineering team as a Lead Engineer

Lead the Discipline engineering design of the assigned work area and completed within the planned schedule and budget, in accordance with standards, MDR, and project-specific procedures and to a high professional standard

Plan, organize, and direct all aspects of Discipline execution on the assigned project including scope, deliverables, schedule, and all manpower resources - agree allocations with the Discipline Manager

Ensure interfaces and deliverables are clearly identified

Maintain responsibility for progress and productivity, identifying any required corrective action

Act as project representative for Discipline during meetings with the Project Team, Customer discipline lead, and relevant agencies such as certifying authorities, auditors, third parties, etc.

Become fully familiar with the project scope of work, specifications, schedule, and all inter-discipline requirements; including identifying concerns as early as practicable and taking appropriate initiatives to address the issues

Interpret contractual requirements as they relate to engineering execution

Identify changes to scope and promptly raise change notifications, including providing any necessary supporting documentation and estimates

Provide similar support for Variation Orders

Interface with all disciplines to develop clash-free designs

Interface with other departments to obtain input for Discipline designs and drawings

Maintain close coordination with other engineering disciplines, Planning, and Project Management Teams, as required

Document substantive communications (communications that result in significant decisions or assignment of actions) and forward copies to the Discipline Lead Engineer and Discipline Manager

Prepare estimates for bid proposals, including technical query reviews, execution statements, and work-hour estimates, identifying software requirements and any other project-specific requirements

Prepare bids and project's Discipline engineering budget and execution plans, updating as required

Raise technical queries to obtain missing information, clarify work scope, and maintain preferred McDermott procedures, specifications, standards, practices, and operational requirements

Prepare, review and (as Lead Engineer) approve Discipline engineering design basis, philosophies, and technical specifications

Participate in finalizing deliverables lists and deliverables, ensuring compliance with specifications and functional integrity

Review project schedule and fabrication schedule about construction sequence, milestones, and engineering scope

Attend project kickoff and review meetings, vendor meetings, engineering meetings, and offshore site surveys, as required

Provide technical direction and review of Designers producing products related to Process Engineering

Prepare, review, and (as Lead Engineer) approve design reports and procedures

Assist in providing necessary design inputs to other disciplines to enable them to proceed with their deliverables

Review and (as Lead Engineer) approve vendor and subcontractor submittals, checking for compliance with project specifications and providing comments as necessary

Present issues and problems to Customers promptly and assist the Lead Engineer in negotiating resolution by project and company requirements

Guide less experienced engineers on MDR and Discipline procedures, standards, worksheets, design calculations, software, requisitions, technical bid evaluations, technical queries, etc.

Supervise and guide assigned engineers and coordinate with project Lead Designers for Discipline engineering and design deliverables

Monitor costs of own work processes

Responsible for the engineering integrity of the assigned work area

Develop communication and presentation skills (e.g., write technical papers, participate in conferences and/or seminars, present design solutions and/or present topics at lunch and learns; etc.)

Responsible for checking the following key deliverables, applicable as per the Project scope: Process simulations / Heat and material balances

Process flow diagrams (PFD)

Piping and instrument diagrams (P&ID)

Equipment and instrument process datasheets

Process specifications

Operating philosophy and startup and operating manuals

Equipment list (process data)

Line list (process data)

Equipment and line sizing calculations

Flare radiation and dispersion calculations

Depressurization and flare network studies

Process studies

Provide process assistance to other disciplines by performing IDC / providing inputs as required for the following activities: Layout review

Area classification drawings

Safety studies

Electrical load list

Equipment datasheets

Instrument datasheets

ESD and F&G logic diagrams and control narratives

Participate in HAZAN, HAZID, HAZOP, and other safety/operability/reliability studies and workshops

Assist in closing out HAZOP action items

Lead the Discipline team during project audits (internal, Customer, and third-party technical audits) and Design Reviews

When acting as Lead Engineer, in addition: Act as project-based Discipline point of contact in communications and meetings with Customer counterparts

Ensure substantive communications are documented

Identify project staff needs based on knowledge of individual engineers' skill sets and provide requests to the Discipline manager

Plan, organize, and assign tasks, responsibilities, and work-hours budgets to the discipline team and verify tasks are completed within budgets

Plan Discipline Level 4 detail deliverable schedule/register compliant with the overall execution plan

Prepare working forecasts identifying change management plans, corrective action, and real-time schedule

Provide Discipline inputs for actual, planning, and forecasting progress reports including associated productivity

Alert the project team of any deviation from the scope or a need for a change order

Monitor KPI measurement results and take corrective action as necessary to improve Discipline performance, including a performance at interfaces with others

Coordinate with other Discipline Lead Engineers and Designers to ensure timely receipt of necessary design inputs

Review and approve requisitions, technical quotation evaluations, and queries, compiled bid tabulations and recommendations, and purchase requisitions; and coordinate with Procurement to expedite vendor documents as required

Review comments from Customers & other agencies on documents and drawings produced by the team and resolve and give guidance on their update and incorporation

Assist the Discipline manager in the preparation of quarterly forecasts and manpower planning

Anticipate project engineering needs and plan accordingly

Coordinate with vendor for discipline-managed/procured items

Assist the Discipline manager and Project Engineering Manager or Project Manager in the Performance Evaluation of project team members

Reports to: Project: Lead Engineer, Project Engineering Manager or Project Manager Functional: Supervising Department Manager Liaise with: All Engineering disciplines, Fabrication Group, Safety Department, Project Management Team, Document Control, Project Planner, Project Cost Controller, QC, Certification Group, Procurement Group, Subcontractors, Vendors, and Customers Supervises: Senior Engineers and Engineers

Essential Qualifications and Education:

Bachelor’s Degree or Master’s Degree in Engineering

15-20 years of experience in oil and gas with a major contractor or consultant predominantly performing detail design

Preferably Registered Professional Engineer or member of professional engineering society as applicable

Detailed knowledge of design techniques and analysis methods and detailed knowledge of the theory, content, and application of standards, codes, and guidelines as applicable

Knowledgeable in project coordination and execution skills

#LI-CA1