Mechanical Engineering Associate

Your Job

Optimized Process Designs, LLC (OPD), a Koch Engineered Solutions company, is seeking a motivated and detail-oriented Mechanical Engineering Associate to support our engineering team in delivering high-quality projects. This entry-level position is ideal for candidates looking to develop their skills in mechanical engineering within a collaborative and fast-paced environment.

This role will sit in office Monday - Friday at our headquarters in Katy, TX.

This role is not eligible for Visa sponsorship.

At OPD, we specialize in engineering and construction within the natural gas, natural gas liquids, and petrochemical industries. We offer comprehensive services that integrate construction with engineering and procurement, enhancing efficiency and minimizing interface challenges. Since 1980, our commitment to integrity and excellence has earned us a reputation as a preferred partner with our customers. OPD’s industry experience, flexibility, and dedication to employee development has created a tight knit, highly productive, team atmosphere that makes OPD a fulfilling place to work.

Organizational Efforts

• Develop and enhance OPD specifications to ensure compliance with industry best practices, codes, and standards.
• Development of internal-use tools to improve efficiency and accuracy of engineering deliverables.

Engineering and Procurement Phases

• Review client standards related to static and rotating equipment, pipe/valves/fittings, welding, inspection, and test plans.
• Develop equipment specifications and vet Request for Quote (RFQ) packages.
• Conduct technical reviews of vendor quotes, including pre-purchase evaluations.
• Provide Project Managers with guidance on design, purchase, installation, and post-construction support for mechanical equipment.
• Participate in structured and individual reviews of project documentation, such as Process Flow Diagrams (PFDs), Piping and Instrumentation Diagrams (P&IDs), 3-D models, and equipment lists.
• Participate in Process Hazard Analysis (PHA) and/or HAZOPs.
• Develop pipe specifications and project-specific requirements for Post-Weld Heat Treat (PWHT), Non-Destructive Examination (NDE), bolt coating, torquing, etc.

Construction Phase

• Provide technical support for field construction personnel, including site visits.
• Offer commissioning/start-up support and Request for Information (RFI) assistance.

• Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering or other engineering discipline

• Experience performing Mechanical Engineering duties with an EPC or end user in industrial chemical processing and/or manufacturing
• Engineer in Training (EIT) Certificate
• Experience with ASME codes and API standards
• Experience specifying or maintaining Rotating Equipment (Pumps, Compressors, Expanders, etc.) and/or Static Equipment (Heat Exchangers, Towers, Vessels)
• Direct experience in completing full scope engineering, procurement, construction projects (EPC) on a lump sum, turn-key basis

At Koch companies, we are entrepreneurs. This means we openly challenge the status quo, find new ways to create value and get rewarded for our individual contributions. Any compensation range provided for a role is an estimate determined by available market data. The actual amount may be higher or lower than the range provided considering each candidate's knowledge, skills, abilities, and geographic location.

If you have questions, please speak to your recruiter about the flexibility and detail of our compensation philosophy.

All Koch companies value diversity of thought, perspectives, aptitudes, experiences, and backgrounds. We are Military Ready and Second Chance employers. Learn more about our hiring philosophy here.

As a Koch Engineered Solutions company, Optimized Process Designs (OPD) provides clients with detailed engineering packages in all disciplines, single-point procurement for all equipment and materials, fabrication and direct-hired construction services throughout the United States. We leverage in-house capabilities and provide services with faster speed to market to help deliver increased cost savings while minimizing risk.

At Koch, employees are empowered to do what they do best to make life better. Learn how our business philosophy helps employees unleash their potential while creating value for themselves and the company.

Our goal is for each employee, and their families, to live fulfilling and healthy lives. We provide essential resources and support to build and maintain physical, financial, and emotional strength - focusing on overall wellbeing so you can focus on what matters most. Our benefits plan includes medical, dental, vision, flexible spending and health savings accounts, life insurance, ADD, disability, retirement, paid vacation/time off, educational assistance, and may also include infertility assistance, paid parental leave and adoption assistance.

Specific eligibility criteria is set by the…