Fitness For Service - FEA Engineer

WJE Houston is seeking an analytical yet practical FEA Engineer with 15+ years of experience specializing in safety-critical Fitness For Service (FFS) assessments of pressure vessels, piping, and other process-related equipment. This doer-manager role is an integral part of WJE's Metallurgy & Applied Mechanics practice. You’ll lead evaluations of fracture, fatigue, corrosion and other damage mechanisms for process equipment; perform complex, nonlinear finite element analyses (FEA) to inform recommendations and stakeholder (run-repair) decision‑making;

and specify repair designs, alterations, and/or replacement strategies. As a project manager for WJE, you will work directly with clients, contractors, and other consultants from day one. As an employee‑owner at WJE, you will have the autonomy to shape your career while mentoring the next generation of engineers. You will be supported by an organization offering stability, industry‑leading benefits, dedicated administrative resources, a collaborative and interdisciplinary environment, and access to WJE’s collective expertise and state‑of‑the‑art laboratory and testing capabilities.

Learn more about the Extraordinary People we hire at WJE at

People with outstanding Character, unwavering Commitment to our core and culture, strong Expertise, and genuine Enthusiasm for their work.

• Technical leadership, including self‑performing and advising others in complex, nonlinear analysis, hands‑on fieldwork, and preparation of technically excellent client deliverables, including written reports;
• Leveraging a principles‑first approach to develop practical solutions for challenging engineering problems in combination with a deep understanding of codes, standards, and historical industry practices;
• Providing high‑quality technical reviews of work completed by others;
• Sealing project documents as the Engineer of Record, as appropriate;
• Project management, including client development, project scoping, assembling and managing project teams, maintaining project schedules, budgets, and financials, and managing internal and external client expectations and deliverables;
• Contributions to practice development and company‑wide objectives, including proactively fostering new and existing client relationships in pursuit of project work you are excited about;
• Engaging the next generation of WJE professionals;
• Collaborating with practice leaders on knowledge‑sharing and training initiatives;
• Participating in industry organizations, conferences, and technical committees;
• Mentorship, including exemplifying WJE’s culture of shared destiny and knowledge sharing to better the team around you: locally and company‑wide, formally and informally, on‑and‑off projects;
• Providing technical safety support and configuration to client‑based design teams;
• Acting as the primary point of contact for any data or analysis related inquiries.

• Licensed Professional Engineer (PE) or ability to obtain Bachelor's degree or higher in aerospace, civil/structural, mechanical engineering, or related field;
• Master’s degree or PhD a plus;
• Minimum fifteen years of relevant industry experience within petrochemical, refining, power generation, upstream, midstream, mining, or other heavy industrial markets with demonstrated expertise in Level 3 assessment in accordance with API 579 / ASME FFS-1 Fitness-For-Service Standard, fracture mechanics, fatigue, and damage mechanism assessment;
• Nonlinear finite element analysis (FEA) for steel, concrete, and other construction materials;
• ABAQUS (Abaqus FEA) preferred;
• Design, repairs/alterations, and reliability of fixed equipment, pressure vessels, and piping;
• Dedicated self‑starter, motivated to contribute to the growth of an expanding…