Site Mechanical Engineer (QA/QC Focus)

Project sector: Petrochemical

Location: Mississippi

Duration: 6 months and further extension

Position Summary

The Mechanical Engineer (QA/QC Focus) will serve as the Owner's representative responsible for providing mechanical engineering support, quality assurance, and quality control oversight during the design, construction, commissioning, and startup phases of industrial capital projects. The role ensures that all mechanical equipment, systems, and construction activities comply with project specifications, applicable codes, industry standards, and quality requirements.

The Mechanical Engineer will work closely with project management, engineering, construction contractors, inspectors, commissioning teams, and operations personnel to ensure mechanical systems are installed, tested, and commissioned safely and in accordance with approved designs and quality standards. This position requires a strong field presence and active engagement with contractors, vendors, and project stakeholders throughout project execution.

Key Responsibilities

Mechanical Engineering Oversight

• Provide mechanical engineering support throughout project execution from detailed design through commissioning and startup.
• Review mechanical design packages, specifications, drawings, and contractor submittals for technical compliance and constructability.
• Evaluate mechanical scope of work packages and support bid reviews and contractor selection activities.
• Manage mechanical Requests for Information (RFIs), technical queries, field design clarifications, and change requests.
• Review and provide recommendations regarding change orders, deviations, and field modifications.
• Coordinate with engineering, construction, procurement, operations, and maintenance teams to resolve technical issues.

Quality Assurance & Quality Control

• Monitor contractor compliance with approved Quality Control Plans, Inspection and Test Plans (ITPs), project specifications, and applicable codes.
• Oversee inspections of mechanical equipment, fabricated materials, piping systems, vessels, rotating equipment, structural components, and packaged systems.
• Review and approve mechanical quality documentation, inspection reports, test records, turnover packages, and construction quality reports.
• Verify that construction activities comply with applicable industry standards, project requirements, and good engineering practices.
• Identify, document, and track quality non-conformances, deficiencies, and corrective actions through closure.
• Participate in audits, quality reviews, and contractor performance evaluations.
• Ensure proper documentation control and maintenance of quality records throughout the project lifecycle.

Construction Support

• Support field construction activities and provide technical guidance during equipment installation and mechanical completion.
• Coordinate inspections for incoming equipment and materials delivered to site.
• Monitor contractor workmanship and installation practices to ensure adherence to project quality standards.
• Participate in constructability reviews and field walkdowns.
• Coordinate punch list development, tracking, verification, and closeout activities.
• Support construction turnover and mechanical completion processes.

Testing, Commissioning & Startup

• Support development and execution of commissioning, startup, and performance testing plans.
• Witness mechanical testing activities including hydrotesting, pressure testing, leak testing, functional testing, and equipment performance verification.
• Participate in pre-commissioning, commissioning, and startup activities.
• Verify completion of required quality documentation and turnover packages before system acceptance.
• Assist in final acceptance and handover of mechanical systems to operations.

Reporting & Communication

• Provide regular project quality and mechanical engineering status reports.
• Communicate quality concerns, technical risks, and corrective actions to project leadership.
• Collaborate with project engineers, construction managers, operations personnel, and contractor teams.
• Maintain accurate records of inspections, non-conformance reports (NCRs), corrective actions, and project quality metrics.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering.
• Minimum 10-15 years of experience supporting large industrial or heavy process projects.
• Experience in fertilizer, petrochemical, chemical processing, refining, power generation, ammonia, urea, or related industrial facilities.
• Demonstrated experience in mechanical equipment installation, quality assurance, quality control, construction support, and commissioning activities.
• Experience working in EPC and/or Owner's representative environments.
• Strong knowledge of mechanical equipment including:
  • Rotating equipment
  • Pumps and compressors
  • Pressure vessels
  • Heat exchangers
  • Boilers
  • Tanks
  • Piping systems
  • Packaged equipment
• Ability to interpret engineering drawings, specifications, P&IDs, vendor documentation, and quality records.

Preferred Qualifications

• Professional Engineer (PE) registration preferred.
• ASQ Certified Quality Engineer (CQE), Certified Quality Auditor (CQA), or equivalent quality certification preferred.
• Experience with API, ASME, ANSI, ASTM, AWS, and applicable industry standards.
• Previous experience supporting construction quality programs on projects exceeding $100MM TIC.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Strong understanding of QA/QC processes, inspection methods, and quality management systems.
• Excellent problem-solving and root cause analysis capabilities.
• Ability to lead technical discussions and coordinate multidisciplinary teams.
• Strong planning, organizational, and project management skills.
• Effective communication and report-writing abilities.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and electronic document management systems.
• Ability to work independently in a fast-paced construction environment.

Work Environment

• Primarily field-based at an active industrial construction site.
• Frequent site inspections requiring walking, climbing ladders and stairways, and working in varying weather conditions.
• Ability to travel as required to project sites, fabrication shops, and vendor facilities.
• Must be capable of safely navigating active construction and operating industrial facilities.