Senior Mechanical Engineer – Valve Systems

We are seeking a highly experienced Senior Mechanical Engineer with specialized expertise in valve systems to lead the design, selection, sizing, specification, testing, and reliability improvement of control, isolation, and safety valves in demanding industrial environments. The successful candidate will be responsible for providing engineering authority across projects, shutdowns, commissioning activities, and root cause investigations, while mentoring junior engineers and contributing to company-wide valve standardization and risk mitigation strategies.

Key Responsibilities:

⚙️ Engineering Leadership – Valve Design & Specification

• Lead the design, specification, and selection of valves (gate, globe, ball, butterfly, check, pressure relief, control valves) for steam, water, hydrocarbon, corrosive, and high-pressure applications.

• Approve detailed valve datasheets, material selection (including exotic alloys), and sizing calculations considering flow rates, Cv, pressure drop, cavitation, flashing, and noise control.

• Provide oversight during technical bid evaluations and ensure supplier compliance with project specifications, international standards, and client requirements.

📐 Piping & Instrumentation Integration

• Review and approve P&IDs, valve arrangements, and isometrics.

• Collaborate with control/instrumentation engineers for actuator selection and integration (pneumatic, electric, electro-hydraulic).

• Evaluate SIL requirements and ensure valve-actuator-positioner assemblies meet functional safety objectives.

🧪 Testing, Inspection & Commissioning

• Lead FATs (Factory Acceptance Tests) and SATs (Site Acceptance Tests) for critical valves.

• Review test protocols and ensure compliance with standards such as API 598, API 6D, API 527, ASME B16.34, ISO 5208, etc.

• Supervise valve installation, torque settings, flange alignment, and functional stroke testing during commissioning.

🔍 Troubleshooting & Reliability Improvement

• Investigate valve failures and chronic reliability issues involving seat leakage, stem wear, fugitive emissions, packing failures, and actuator malfunctions.

• Perform root cause analysis (RCA), collaborate with metallurgists and RCA engineers, and define corrective/preventive actions.

• Recommend valve design upgrades (e.g., live-loaded packing, hard coatings, trim redesign) and operational improvements.

📚 Standards, Governance & Knowledge Management

• Ensure adherence to applicable industry standards and codes (API, ASME, ASTM, NACE, ISO).

• Develop and maintain internal valve specifications, valve datasheet templates, design guides, and inspection checklists.

• Participate in vendor audits, technical committees, and internal design reviews.

👥 Mentoring & Cross-functional Collaboration

• Mentor junior engineers and provide guidance on best practices in valve selection and lifecycle management.

• Support procurement, construction, operations, and maintenance teams in resolving technical queries.

• Represent the mechanical discipline in HAZOPs, risk assessments, and incident investigations involving valves.

Required Qualifications:

• Education:
  Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering (Master’s preferred for highly technical roles)

• Experience:
  8–15+ years of relevant engineering experience with a significant focus on industrial valve systems.

• Technical Expertise:

  • Advanced understanding of valve mechanics, design principles, material compatibility, and actuator technologies

  • Expertise in sizing/control of valves in complex process systems

  • Strong understanding of piping codes, valve testing procedures, and process safety implications of valve failures

  • Hands-on involvement in field troubleshooting, site inspections, and cross-discipline coordination

• Software Proficiency:

  • Valve sizing tools: Fisher Specification Manager, Samson Sizing, Flowserve Performance!

  • CAD/CAE tools for mechanical layouts (AutoCAD, SolidWorks, or equivalent)

  • MS Office Suite, SAP PM, or CMMS platforms

  • Optional: FEA/CFD tools for valve performance simulation

Preferred Industry Experience:

• Oil & Gas (upstream/downstream, LNG)

• Power Generation (thermal, nuclear, combined cycle)

• Water Treatment / Desalination / Mining

• Petrochemicals / Refineries

• Process Industries (e.g., pulp & paper, food, fertilizers)

Key Competencies:

• Strong engineering judgment and technical leadership

• Field-savvy with hands-on problem-solving capability

• Excellent communication, documentation, and mentoring skills

• Risk-based decision making and critical thinking

• Passion for engineering excellence, safety, and reliability

Work Environment:

• Primarily office-based with regular travel to vendor workshops, project sites, or operating plants

• Active participation in pre-commissioning, turnarounds, shutdowns, and plant troubleshooting

• Requires use of PPE and safety adherence during site visits