OQ
Lead Engineer Central Process
- Permanent
- Sohar, Oman
- Experience 5 - 10 yrs
Job expiry date: 04/01/2026
Job overview
Date posted
20/11/2025
Location
Sohar, Oman
Salary
Undisclosed
Compensation
Comprehensive package + relocation
Experience
5 - 10 yrs
Seniority
Senior & Lead
Qualification
Bachelors degree
Expiration date
04/01/2026
Job description
This role leads Central Process Engineering for RPI within the scope of the TL Central Process Engineering, functioning as senior subject matter expert for process optimization and engineering standards across refinery operations. The mandate covers development, implementation, and continuous improvement of process engineering activities including systematic process optimization of distillation, cracking, hydrotreating, reforming, and blending units to improve energy efficiency, reduce operating costs, and maximize production. Responsibilities include leading feasibility studies, process optimization studies, energy optimization studies, FEED studies, and supporting EPC projects, along with contract management, vendor and OEM coordination, FATs and SATs support, RCM management, HAZOP participation, and refinery turnaround scope review. The role supervises and verifies design work, prepares Heat and Material Balances, Process Flow Diagrams, plant modification designs, and provides technical procedures aligned with modifications and new systems. It also involves analysis of long-term plant performance data, debottlenecking studies, catalyst and chemical evaluations, benchmarking via Solomon, asset master data governance, troubleshooting, inspections, field investigations, and ensuring compliance with HSE standards including Process Safety, H2S Awareness, Basic Fire Fighting, and Emergency Response. Expertise is required in PI, LIMS, PetroSim, Hysys, SAP, DCS systems, P&IDs, PFDs, OEM manuals, downstream petroleum processes, HC marketing movements, LP optimization, BPM methodologies, and petrochemical SOP interpretation.
Required skills
Key responsibilities
- Lead engineering processes and procedures implementation to ensure timely completion of technical assessments, recommendations, and support requirements
- Lead feasibility studies, process optimization studies, energy optimization studies, FEED studies, and support EPC project execution
- Coordinate contract management with vendors, OEMs, engineering, asset development, inspection teams, and support FATs and SATs
- Identify and execute optimization opportunities across process units and equipment
- Supervise and verify internal and external design work to ensure process optimization outcomes
- Prepare Heat and Material Balances and Process Flow Diagrams and design minor plant modifications through completion
- Review refinery turnaround scope and analyze MOC documentation for process improvement
- Perform RCAs and recommend corrective actions for performance improvements
- Participate in HAZOP studies for modifications to existing facilities and plants
- Gather preliminary documents for tender submissions and prepare technical procedures aligned with system changes
- Resolve operational business-impacting issues using technical problem-solving tools
- Analyze engineer findings and identify cross-unit optimization opportunities
- Recommend improvements to departmental procedures to enhance quality and cost-effectiveness
- Support plant turnaround preparation and process equipment inspections
- Conduct catalyst and chemical technical evaluations and performance test runs
- Analyze benchmarking results and propose improvement actions
- Coordinate with technology licensors and consultants to ensure compliance with technical service obligations
- Analyze long-term plant data to drive debottlenecking studies and improve yields, energy efficiency, and operating cost
- Monitor and execute process engineering services including RCAs, FMEAs, spare parts optimization, PM reviews, and cost optimization
- Provide coaching and daily technical guidance to operations staff
- Collaborate with internal teams including Operations, Maintenance, Technical Services, Procurement, and external contractors and vendors
Experience & skills
- Hold a Bachelor degree in Chemical Engineering or equivalent
- Bring 8–10 years of experience in Oil & Gas, Refinery, or Petrochemical industries in a similar role
- Demonstrate experience in feasibility, FEED, and EPC project work
- Show expertise in process optimization and energy optimization projects
- Possess experience in catalyst, chemical, and study tender evaluations and scope preparation
- Have field experience in investigations, inspections, troubleshooting, performance checks, and data compilation
- Demonstrate expertise in P&IDs, PFDs, engineering drawings, and OEM manuals
- Utilize applications such as PetroSim, Hysys, PI, LIMS, and SAP
- Have knowledge of refinery operations including process, static, and rotating equipment
- Demonstrate HSE knowledge including Process Safety, H2S Awareness, Basic Fire Fighting, and Emergency Response
- Show familiarity with DCS systems
- Bring experience with benchmarking studies such as Solomon
- Possess asset master data governance experience
- Demonstrate sound technical judgment and knowledge of engineering standards and material specifications
- Execute budgeting and cost control effectively
- Ensure data integrity in integrated reporting environments
- Show proficiency in MS Office applications including Word and Excel
