Principal Process Engineer
Location: Aberdeen
Duration: 10 Months+
Overview
We are seeking an experienced Principal Process Engineer to lead the process engineering function on major onshore Gas Processing Facility design projects. This senior role requires deep technical expertise, strong leadership capability, and extensive experience across the full project lifecycle. You will act as the discipline Lead Engineer on assigned projects, ensuring high‑quality delivery in line with contractual, regulatory, and company requirements.
Role Dimensions
As the most senior Process Engineer on the project, you will hold full authority for discipline decisions and delivery. You will report to both the Process Discipline Manager and the Project Engineering Manager, with support from the Process Engineering Technical Authority. The role involves leadership of a multi‑disciplinary team, direct client engagement, and oversight of all process engineering deliverables.
Key Responsibilities
* Lead and manage a team of process engineers across projects, studies, and proposals.
* Deliver the full process engineering scope in compliance with company and client standards.
* Ensure discipline performance meets quality, schedule, and cost targets.
* Undertake process design activities and perform checking/approval of work produced by others.
* Approve project deliverables when authorised by the Technical Authority.
* Represent Process Engineering in meetings with clients, vendors, and third parties.
* Develop discipline execution plans, deliverables lists, and resource forecasts.
* Monitor and report progress, man-hour expenditure, and technical risks to project management.
* Work collaboratively with other engineering disciplines to ensure integrated design delivery.
* Maintain compliance with all Quality, Health, Safety and Environmental requirements.
* Travel to company, supplier, or client offices/sites as required.
Required Technical Competencies
* Strong understanding of the UK regulatory environment and relevant Oil & Gas industry codes and standards.
* Extensive experience in Gas Processing Technology and Compression, ideally including gas reception, gas treatment, and/or underground gas storage facilities.
* Proven experience across the full project lifecycle, including significant FEED and EPC delivery.
* Proficiency in process simulation and development of:
* Process Design Basis and Scope of Work
* Heat & Material Balances
* Process Flow Diagrams (PFDs)
* Process Design Philosophies
* Piping & Instrumentation Diagrams (P&IDs)
* Competence in sizing and specifying:
* Unit operations
* Major process equipment
* Utility systems
* Equipment packages
* Piping and instrumentation requirements
* Experience in HAZID, HAZOP, and wider hazard study processes.
* Knowledge of Functional Safety, including SIL classification using LOPA.
* Ability to perform relief and blowdown calculations to company and industry standards.
* Strong grounding in technical risk management and commercial awareness.
Professional Skills
* Proactive, self‑motivated, and solutions‑focused.
* Strong interpersonal and leadership skills.
* Effective communicator with excellent technical writing ability.
* High level of IT literacy, including Microsoft Word and Excel.
Qualifications & Experience
* First degree in Chemical Engineering (or equivalent).
* Chartered Engineer status preferred (MIChemE/FIChemE).
* Minimum 15 years' experience in onshore gas processing facility design, ideally within an engineering consultancy or contracting environment.
* Demonstrable experience as a Lead Process Engineer on major projects (beyond area or technical lead roles).
* Recognised SHE Competence Card (CCNSG or CSCS).
* Experience in adjacent sectors is beneficial but not essential