Principal Project Engineer - CapEx

The Principal Project Engineer is responsible for managing capital and expense improvement projects, within cost and schedule expectations, from initial scoping through design, installation, and handover to the owner of the new or modified facilities at the Clear Lake Plant.

The Project Engineer leverages both internal and external resources as needed to define required scope, develop project cost and justification, and obtain funding appropriation for the project. The Engineer also manages the design phase, equipment procurement activities, contractor bidding and selection process, and ultimately the successful execution and handover of the defined scope.

• Manage execution of the annual capital plan per cost and schedule expectations
• Partner with capital project leader to develop annual capital plan and update as needed
• Lead development of project scope, cost estimate, and economic justification to support appropriation requests for assigned projects
• Manage design, procurement, contracting, execution, commissioning, and turnover activities to ensure successful implementation of assigned projects
• Maintain and update project schedule and cost forecast for assigned projects at least monthly
• Identify the need for outside resources (subject matter experts) as required and effectively engage those resources to support assigned project implementation
• Effectively coordinate and communicate with internal and external key stakeholders during the design and execution of assigned projects
• Ensure all project activities are carried out in accordance with capital project work process, industry standards, safe work practices, environmental permits, and process safety requirements
• Interact effectively at all levels of the organization and maintain proactive working relationships with other departments including Procurement, Finance, Operations, Maintenance, and Turnaround to ensure business and project goals are achieved
• Responsible for the safety performance of all personnel, regardless of employer, involved in the execution of assigned projects
• Provide leadership in ensuring compliance with management of change (MOC) guidelines

• Bachelor of Science degree in a related engineering field from an accredited university
• Minimum 8 years project engineering or project management experience in an industrial/manufacturing environment
• Excellent verbal and written communications skills with the ability to communicate effectively to all levels of an organization and maintain productive vendor relationships
• Excellent time management skills, with evidence of prioritizing to deliver the right outcomes; highly collaborative in approach; effective in building strong working relationships
• Good working knowledge of procurement processes and SAP

• Knowledge of basic economics and justification calculations
• Strong technical writing skills
• Knowledge in management of change work (MOC) processes
• Knowledge in use of scheduling tools (Microsoft Project or Primavera P6)
• Familiarity with manufacturing operations (chemical, refining, etc.) and associated safe work practices
• Familiarity with equipment common to the manufacturing industry (pumps, exchangers, valves, piping, etc.)

Celanese is a global leader in chemistry, producing specialty material solutions used across most major industries and consumer applications. Our businesses use our chemistry, technology and commercial expertise to create value for our customers, employees and shareholders. We support sustainability by responsibly managing the materials we create and growing our portfolio of sustainable products to meet customer and societal demand. We strive to make a positive impact in our communities and to foster inclusivity across our teams.

Celanese Corporation employs more than 11,000 employees worldwide with 2024 net sales of $10.3 billion. For more information about Celanese Corporation and its product offerings, visit