Assistant Director of Engineering

Reporting to the Senior Director, Engineering, the Assistant Director, Engineering is responsible for developing plant processes and capital budgets for refinery expansion and improvement projects. This role supports the Senior Director, Engineering and refinery management by monitoring plant operations, analyzing performance reports, and directing projects from concept through startup, ensuring compliance with safety and environmental standards. This position is based in Anchorage, AK.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• In partnership with the Senior Director, Engineering, lead and oversee engineering, planning, and execution of major and minor refinery construction projects as directed by executive leadership.
• Provide direct, in-person engineering support to operations, maintenance, environmental, and safety departments, ensuring timely and effective problem resolution.
• Lead cross-functional engineering teams, mentor staff engineers, and foster collaboration across departments to achieve organizational goals.
• Align engineering initiatives with long-term business objectives, drive process improvements, and implement innovative technologies to enhance refinery performance.
• Communicate effectively with executives and technical teams, providing clear and concise updates and recommendations.
• Proactively anticipate technical questions, conduct research, and provide informed opinions on discipline-specific engineering matters.
• Applies advanced mathematical skills – including algebra, geometry, and trigonometry – to solve engineering problems, assess hydraulic systems, create heat and material balances, model thermodynamic processes, and review professional survey documents; physically lay elevations, set benchmarks, and create grade documents as needed.
• Manage direct contracting of external engineering firms and resources for expansions, improvements, capital projects, and new construction.
• Provide strategic direction and support to refinery leadership, supervising multidisciplinary teams, union contractors, and skilled laborers.
• Develop, submit, and manage capital project funding requests and large-scale capital plans, including engineering budgets and project life cycles from concept through commissioning.
• Oversee and evaluate Management of Changes (MOC’s) for engineering feasibility and completeness; maintain and update P&IDs, MOC’s, and as-builds to ensure Process Safety Management (PSM) compliance.
• Ensure adherence to established safety, environmental, and regulatory standards – including Energy Isolation, OSHA, ADEC, EPA, and other relevant agencies.
• Support compliance with all applicable federal, state, and refinery permitting and reporting requirements; assist with document distribution and filing for capital projects and MOC’s.
• Promote engagement with Alaska Native communities, demonstrating knowledge of or willingness to learn about Iñupiaq culture and values.
• Undertake additional projects and responsibilities as delegated by the Senior Director, Engineering and executive leadership.

Education and/or Experience

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree or master’s degree in chemical, electrical, mechanical, or civil engineering or a related field is preferred.

Experience

• Minimum ten (10) years of engineering experience in refinery operations, preferred.
• Experience leading teams across chemical, mechanical, electrical, and civil disciplines.
• Capable of managing refinery turnarounds, shutdowns, and emergency response planning.
• Well-versed in industry safety, environmental standards, and government regulations.
• Skilled in troubleshooting operational, mechanical, and personnel issues using logical and practical methods.
• Demonstrated success in managing multi-million-dollar capital projects, including budgeting, scheduling, and risk management.
• Experience implementing continuous improvement methodologies in refinery environments.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Proficient with general computer applications (Excel, PowerPoint, etc).
• Must have a valid driver’s license.
• Knowledge of or willingness to learn about the Iñupiaq culture and values; experience working in Alaska Native or Indigenous contexts is strongly…