Principal Process Engineer - Downstream Projects

Location: Doha, Qatar

A prominent global energy company is seeking a highly experienced Principal Process Engineer to lead the development and execution of major greenfield and brownfield downstream projects. The role involves ensuring technical input throughout the project lifecycle, from design to execution, and optimizing project outcomes to deliver maximum value.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and review Statements of Requirements (SOR) to ensure clear project objectives, parameters, and stakeholder alignment.
• Review and assess proposed licensed technologies for downstream development projects, identifying risks and proposing alternative process technologies to enhance technical and commercial viability.
• Integrate lessons learned from past projects into new developments to optimize CAPEX, OPEX, and lifecycle costs.
• Perform and review process simulations, conceptual designs, techno-economic assessments, and feasibility studies to identify robust, cost-effective options aligned with business objectives.
• Review and define project scopes of work, ensuring stakeholder engagement to minimize changes during project execution.
• Evaluate contracting strategies and provide technical input on pre-qualification criteria, bid evaluations, and scope clarifications for project contracts.
• Support finance, legal, and commercial teams in negotiating agreements and ensuring that technical specifications align with project goals.
• Oversee all phases of project delivery to ensure design integrity, safety, and operability. Provide input on technical issues and safeguard company interests.
• Review key project deliverables (Pre-FEED, FEED, and EPIC) to ensure facility concepts and designs are sound and meet project objectives.
• Oversee project interfaces and coordinate cross-discipline engineering for smooth commissioning and operational readiness.
• Regularly assess project progress, reporting risks, opportunities, and recommending actions to ensure successful delivery.
• Capture best practices and create references for future developments to improve business opportunity evaluation processes.
• Mentor and train junior engineers to support career development and the implementation of talent development programs.

Key Qualifications & Skills

• Education: Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering (or related field).
• Experience: Minimum 15 years of experience in the oil and gas industry, including at least 5 years in large-scale downstream brownfield/greenfield projects.
• Project Expertise: Proven track record in project development, design integration, and managing interfaces and stakeholder relationships.
• Technical Proficiency: Expertise in process simulation software (e.g., PROII, HYSYS) and cost estimation tools (e.g., QUE$TOR, ICARUS).
• Industry Experience: Experience with downstream petrochemical processes (e.g., ethylene, polyethylene, ammonia, methanol production) and gas treating, NGL extraction, polymerization, and refining technologies.
• Design Competencies: In-depth knowledge of major process equipment such as cracking furnaces, compressors, heat exchangers, and fractionation columns.
• Risk Management: Strong understanding and application of risk management principles within project development.
• Pre-Commissioning & Commissioning: Experience with commissioning petrochemical and refining facilities.