VFD Electrical Engineer

At Freeport LNG Development, L.P., we value the strengths of our employees who each bring their unique skills and experience to our team. As part of the Freeport LNG team, you will be working side by side with top performers in the LNG industry. We believe that when employees are fairly compensated, work in a safe environment and their families are provided with excellent benefits, they have peace of mind.

FLSA Status: Exempt

Location: Quintana

Job Summary

The position of VFD Electrical Engineer reports directly to the Lead Electrical Engineer. This role is accountable for ensuring the overall health of LCI/VFD’s systems including all its auxiliary equipment i.e. Harmonic Filters, MCC’s, Switchgear, Relaying, etc. Ensure the electrical system, functions safely, efficiently, and reliably, with the objective of meeting business goals for production while minimizing unscheduled equipment downtime. The complexity of the VFD systems in both the Liquefaction (LQF) and Pretreatment (PTF) Facilities requires a high level of technical expertise to monitor and evaluate the health of the VFD drives. This role should proactively offer solutions to avoid reliability and availability issues and meet utility connection requirements. The role will provide integrity oversight in the areas of VFD System Modeling, Protective Relays, and PMCS. In addition, the VFD Electrical Engineer will be required to interface with the Maintenance and Operations teams to assist with troubleshooting as well as provide technical support and act as the Subject Matter Expert (SME) on VFD’s.

Location/Travel Information

This position is based at the Quintana LQF Terminal with frequent travel to off-site locations as required. This position requires the incumbent to hold a valid, unexpired driver's license at all times to perform the essential functions of the job.

Duties/Responsibilities

Review and verification of application of relays, schematic diagrams, equipment ratings and protection documents.

Analysis of Electrical System retrofits consisting of Business Case, Technical Assessment, Risk Assessment, and Cost Estimate.

Participation in HAZOPs and HAZIDs as required.

Support Process Trip Investigation.

Initiate Electrical Management of Change/ minor brownfield projects where necessary. Also, provide SME oversight and assist in the completion of project deliverables such as Design Basis, electrical specifications, Single line diagrams, protection system additions/modifications, and Hazardous Area Classification changes.

Plan for electrical equipment obsolescence

Develop and maintain a system for managing revisions to VFD and VFD control firmware and settings files

Develop and maintain a system for testing and monitoring VFD’s, motors and other electrical equipment.

Keep abreast of applicable codes and standards. Participate in industry conferences/seminars and new technology presentations.

Other duties as assigned and deemed necessary by the Lead Electrical Engineer.

Essential Functions

Maintain Power System Models and proactively monitor the electric utility grid configuration and the interaction of the plant electrical system to this configuration. Update Power System Model every 5 years using ETAP.

Ensure that the Harmonic Interaction Studies for LQF and PTF are kept evergreen and updated when required due to electric utility grid changes

Work with PMCS Engineer to troubleshoot communication issues and alarms.

Accountable for overall VFD and it auxiliaries' health and protection.

Responsible for conducting Root Cause Failure Analysis (RCFA) for complex Electrical Incidents.

Assist facility personnel with operational and maintenance problems relating to Electrical systems and provide technical support where necessary.

Ensure compliance with all local, state and federal codes and regulations. Accountable for ensuring records and documentation are maintained for regulatory compliance associated with Electrical systems.

Ability to hold a valid, unexpired driver's license at all times to perform the essential functions of the job.

Minimum Qualification/Work Experience

Minimum Education Required:

Bachelor of Science Degree in Electrical Engineering

Minimum Experience Required:

8+ years direct experience with LCI’s, MV electrical power systems and HV Cable Systems, application and programming of Protective Relays,

Familiarity with the National Electrical Code, NFPA 70E, Safety in Design, and Safety in the field

Preferred Education:

MS in Electrical Engineering

Licensed as a Professional Electrical Engineer in the State of Texas

Preferred Experience:

15+ years experience with LCI’s, VFD’s, and MV electrical power systems and specifically Harmonics, application of Harmonic Filters, application and programming of Protective Relays, Illumination Systems, and Grounding.

Experience in Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories (SEL) equipment.

Required Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

Excellent planning and organizational skills and be able to evaluate and prioritize multiple tasks to ensure alignment with plant goals while acting with a sense of urgency (when required).

Ability to effectively collaborate and work with all levels of the organization including operations, technical, plant management, contractors, and vendors.

Strong interpersonal and communication skills

Proficiency in all standard MS Office products, and SAP Plant Maintenance or similar computer-based maintenance system

Ability to work safely, efficiently, and effectively with minimal guidance and direction.

Strong written/verbal technical communication skills.

Self-starter/motivated

Excellent troubleshooting/analytical skills

Familiarity with cyber security

Must have the ability to drive a motor vehicle to perform the duties required at all FLNG locations.

HSE Roles and Responsibilities

Support the policies, efforts, and programs of Freeport LNG Health, Safety and Environmental (HSE) Management System. Actively participate in the HSE Management System Policies. Ensure that HSE concerns are given priority in all activities completed within their area of responsibility. Implement routine inspections to ensure safe operating conditions.

Working Conditions and Physical Expectations

Work Environment

This position primarily operates in a professional office environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers/faxes, filing cabinets, etc. While performing the duties of this job, the employee may be exposed to fumes or airborne particles, moving mechanical parts, and vibration. The employee is occasionally exposed to a variety of extreme conditions at construction job sites. The noise level in the work environment and job sites can be loud.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

Ability to drive to other Company work locations as required.

Ability to move throughout all areas of the facility.

Stand and/or sit continuously and perform job functions for a full shift.

The incumbent is required to use hands to finger, handle or feel; and reach with hands and arms.

Physically able to walk, stand, bend, stoop, kneel, reach, twist, lift, push, pull, climb, balance, crouch, handle, and move items weighing up to 50 lbs. without assistance.

Visual acuity corrected to perform job functions. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

While performing the duties of this role, the incumbent will be required to talk and hear.

May be required to enter confined spaces.

May be required to work at elevated heights.

Work Authorization/Security Clearance (if applicable)

Transportation Worker Identification Card

Other Duties

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Freeport LNG does not discriminate against any employee or applicant based on race, color, religion or creed, national origin, sex, pregnancy (including childbirth, lactation, and related medical conditions), age, marital status, physical or mental disability, veteran status, genetic information (including characteristics and testing), gender identity/transgender status, sexual orientation, HIV/AIDS status or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law.