Engineering Manager

Kern Energy is hiring an Engineering Manager who will be responsible for the overall utilization of resources. The qualified candidate will lead the Engineering Department to achieve the business objectives of the company to provide efficient, economical, and high-quality engineering services to ensure refinery projects are designed, constructed, and commissioned for safe and reliable operation. This position will also ensure compliance, including the PSM/MOC and mechanical integrity programs, regulatory and industry standards compliance, preparation and tracking of project budgets and schedules, and management of all Engineering activities including, project management, design drafting, inspections, mechanical integrity, and turnaround. Kern is looking for a leader in a multi-discipline Engineering Department and Mechanical Integrity Department. To be successful, this position will also exhibit Kern’s core values of Teamwork, Safety, Excellence, Integrity, and Family.

Job Function

• Maintain a good understanding of industry standards, regulations, and codes including API, NFPA, ASME, OSHA, and local, state & federal regulations.
• Ensures projects are properly managed by project engineers or project coordinators. Ensures projects are meeting design objectives, and are properly planned, budgeted, scheduled, forecasted, constructed, and commissioned.
• Ensures proper planning, scheduling of labor and equipment, budgeting, and engineering coverage of catalyst activities for refinery turnarounds.
• Develop, and oversee the development of Appropriations for Expenditures (AFEs) for related Engineering, Mechanical Integrity, and refinery projects including turnarounds.
• Prepare and oversee budgets, and scopes of work, request for quotations, and secure estimates and cost quotes as needed.
• Manages the development and implementation of Engineering training, operating manual input, MOC development, PSSR implementation, PHA reviews, and recommendations.
• Develop, manage, and oversee Engineering and Mechanical Integrity projects.
• Manages activities to keep up-to-date refinery drawings, equipment files, and inspection files, by ensuring MOC procedures are followed and proper project closeout is conducted.
• Help drive the Mechanical Integrity program through the Mechanical Integrity Engineer, along with the Maintenance Manager, by ensuring proper oversight of the inspections program.
• Ensures the proper oversight of catalyst inventory, purchasing, and general oversight of catalyst performance.
• Minimize costs and disruption to the refinery caused by Engineering Project activity.
• Prepare and submit a monthly report. Participate and assist in progress reports and reviews. Hold project meetings with management.
• Prepare and submit the refinery capital budget for the upcoming year.
• Responsible for general oversight of refinery draftsmen/inspector, piping designer, project coordinator, mechanical integrity/project engineer, project engineer, engineering tech, and outside contract engineers when needed.
• Interface across the entire organization as relates to Engineering and Mechanical Integrity.
• Ensure the Engineering Department is supporting other departments by fulfilling drawing requests, data analysis, equipment data requests, inspections, and project support.
• Communicate both written and verbally across the entire organization with Operations, Maintenance, HSE / PSM, equipment manufacturers, contractors, and vendors.
• Arrange for and manage, appropriate third-party contract engineering support, as needed.
• All other reasonable duties, as assigned, including support of 24/7 operations
• Works extended hours, including nights and weekends, in a process operations environment and during periods of inclement weather. Accesses areas of the refinery requiring the use of stairs and/or ladders to inspect critical processes and mechanical equipment including periods of inclement weather. Respond to upset conditions during off hours.

Supervisory Responsibilities

• Provide strong leadership to the Engineering Department and Mechanical Integrity Department, fostering a positive and collaborative work environment.
• Set clear expectations, goals, and priorities for the Engineering Department and Mechanical Integrity Department.
• Oversees departmental career paths and succession planning.
• Support the professional growth of team members through mentoring, and coaching when appropriate; accountable for fair and uniform application of human resources policies.
• Continuous training initiatives Identify opportunities for skill development and implement strategies to enhance the team's capabilities to identify and close knowledge gaps.
• Responsible for driving continuous improvement through the use of established performance metrics (project budgets, schedule compliance, planning accuracy, etc.)

Knowledge Skills

• Ability to handle multiple priorities and remain focused and organized.
• Ability to effectively delegate responsibility and manage the work activities of others.
• Possess strong knowledge of refinery process equipment.
• Supervisory experience required with demonstrated ability to manage, lead and motivate people.
• Establishes goals and objectives that are specific, measurable, achievable, and relevant.
• Proficient project coordination and management skills required.
• Demonstrated advanced communication, interpersonal, technical, and organizational skills.
• Ability to interact well with internal and external contacts required.
• Must have excellent computer skills as demonstrated by the ability to compile and present information and data utilizing Microsoft Office.
• Ability to learn other job specific applications as required.

Education/ Experience

• Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent required. Degree in Chemical or Mechanical Engineering preferred.
• Minimum of five years’ experience with refinery process applications or a closely related field.