Senior Project Engineer

About the job:

Kent is looking for an experienced Senior Project Engineer (Owner’s Representative) to support a major refining and manufacturing asset near Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta. Working as part of a client secondment team, the successful candidate will be responsible for delivering assigned engineering services projects in accordance with contractual requirements, established Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), regulatory obligations, and Owner expectations.

Acting on behalf of the Owner, the Senior Project Engineer will serve as a key liaison between the client, EPC contractors, engineering service providers, and site stakeholders, ensuring effective communication, stakeholder alignment, and successful project execution throughout the project lifecycle.

This role will manage a portfolio of capital projects valued up to $50MM USD, leading projects from the Select phase through detailed design, execution, commissioning, start-up, and close-out. The position includes responsibility for oversight of both the home office and field execution. It requires close collaboration with the Production, Maintenance, Turnaround, Construction, Operations, and Engineering teams within a brownfield refining environment.

The successful candidate will be accountable for delivering projects safely, on schedule, within budget, and to the required quality standards while effectively managing project risks, stakeholder expectations, engineering deliverables, and contractor performance.

The ideal candidate will possess significant experience delivering capital projects within the oil and gas, refining, petrochemical, or heavy industrial sectors, with particular preference given to candidates who have worked in an Owner’s project engineering capacity and have demonstrated expertise in managing project cash flows, budgets, latest estimates, and project controls.

This position is site-based and seconded to a client manufacturing and refining asset located near Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta.

Skills and Responsibilities:

Responsibilities:

Project Leadership & Execution

• Lead assigned projects through the client’s Opportunity Realization Work Process from project definition through close-out.
• Manage a portfolio of capital projects from the Select phase through commissioning and project close-out.
• Deliver projects safely, on schedule, within budget, and in accordance with approved scope and quality requirements.
• Manage multiple projects concurrently at varying stages of development and execution.
• Establish project execution strategies aligned with Owner priorities and business objectives.
• Develop, approve, and coordinate project work to ensure safety, cost, quality, and schedule objectives are achieved.
• Lead project meetings, workshops, design reviews, and stakeholder engagements.

Project Controls & Financial Management

• Develop, monitor, and control project budgets, forecasts, cash flows, schedules, and resource plans.
• Manage project costs, latest estimates, and forecasting activities.
• Maintain project performance against approved budgets, schedules, and established KPIs.
• Facilitate and manage Owner change management processes.
• Support contracting, procurement, and contractor performance management activities.
• Prepare project reports, forecasts, and status updates for stakeholders and management.

Engineering & Technical Coordination

• Coordinate and manage multi-discipline engineering activities and deliverables.
• Facilitate detailed design reviews and technical evaluations.
• Interface closely with EPC contractors and engineering service providers throughout all project phases.
• Ensure engineering solutions comply with company standards, regulatory requirements, and industry best practices.
• Provide technical guidance, leadership, and mentorship to junior engineers and project team members.

Risk Management & Operations Readiness

• Identify, assess, and manage project and technical risks throughout the project lifecycle.
• Collaborate with Production Area Teams to evaluate and mitigate project risks.
• Support Operations Readiness, Mechanical Completion, Commissioning, Start-Up (C&SU), and Project-to-Asset Transition activities.
• Work closely with Production and Maintenance Planning teams to ensure successful startup and operational integration within a brownfield refining environment.

Stakeholder & Contractor Management

• Act as the primary liaison between the Owner, EPC contractors, consultants, and site stakeholders.
• Build and maintain strong client-contractor relationships.
• Manage project stakeholders across multiple interfaces, including operations, maintenance, engineering, construction, and contractor organizations.
• Influence stakeholders to support project priorities and schedule commitments.
• Facilitate resolution of project issues and conflicting priorities.

Safety & Compliance

• Promote and maintain a strong safety culture throughout project execution.
• Apply process safety risk reduction principles and ensure compliance with company standards and procedures.
• Ensure all work activities comply with regulatory, environmental, health, safety, and quality requirements.
• Support adherence to applicable engineering practices, work processes, and industry standards.

In addition to the responsibilities listed herein, the employee may be required to perform other ad-hoc tasks as needed or directed by the supervisor or management. These tasks will be within the reasonable scope of the employee's skills, capabilities, and role within the organization. The intent of this provision is to allow for flexibility and adaptability in meeting the dynamic needs of the organization, ensuring that operational requirements can be met efficiently. All such tasks will be assigned considering the employee's current workload and with respect to their professional development.

Your knowledge/skills, education, and experience:

Knowledge/Qualification/Training/Certification:

• Bachelor's Degree in Engineering from an accredited institution.
• Professional Engineer (P.Eng.) designation or eligibility for registration with APEGA.
• Preference for Mechanical Engineering or Civil Engineering disciplines.
• Minimum 12 years of relevant project engineering and project management experience within the oil and gas, refining, petrochemical, or heavy industrial sectors.
• Experience managing capital projects up to $50MM USD.
• Experience as an Owner’s Project Engineer or Owner’s Representative is strongly preferred.
• Brownfield refinery, upgrader, petrochemical, or manufacturing facility experience is considered a strong asset.
• Strong understanding of project management principles and the interaction between engineering disciplines.
• Demonstrated experience managing project cash flows, budgets, forecasts, and latest estimates.
• Working knowledge of project planning and control methodologies.
• Strong understanding of contracting, procurement, construction, commissioning, and startup activities.
• Experience coordinating multi-discipline engineering teams and EPC contractors.
• Working knowledge of project risk management and mitigation strategies.
• Knowledge of applicable industry standards, engineering practices, and regulatory requirements.
• Strong understanding of process safety management principles and risk reduction concepts.
• Knowledge of the interfaces between Process, Mechanical, Civil/Structural, Electrical, Instrumentation & Controls, and Piping disciplines.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Teams.
• Proven ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously within a fast-paced environment.
• Demonstrated ability to make sound decisions within tight timeframes and changing project conditions.

Communication:

• Excellent command of the English language in both oral and written communication and skills.
• Strong presentation, facilitation, and stakeholder engagement capabilities.
• Ability to effectively communicate technical, commercial, and project execution matters to project teams, management, clients, and contractors.
• Ability to develop and maintain productive working relationships across all levels of the organization.
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to influence stakeholders and drive project outcomes.

Behavior/Core Competencies:

• Strong leadership and accountability.
• Excellent interpersonal and relationship-building skills.
• Demonstrated ability to influence stakeholders without direct authority.
• Strong organizational and time management skills.
• Results-driven with a commitment to project delivery excellence.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities.
• Collaborative and team-oriented approach.
• Self-motivated and goal-oriented.
• Adaptable and capable of managing competing priorities.
• Commitment to mentoring, continuous improvement, and professional development.
• High level of professionalism, integrity, and ethical conduct.
• Ability to thrive within a dynamic, fast-paced project environment.

HSSEQ:

The Employee shall observe the Health, Safety, Sustainability, Environment and Quality rules of the Company; it’s clients and the governing authorities of the host country.

Details about the role:

Location: Site-Based – Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta

Relocation required: No

Travel required: As per project requirements

Contract Type: Full-Time, duration of project

Experience level: 12+ years