Project Development Engineer

Project Development Engineer - Direct Hire

NES Fircroft is actively seeking an experienced Project Development Engineer for our client based in Augusta, Georgia. This will be a full-time direct hire position with our client, who is seeking an experienced Project Engineer with a passion for the developmental stages of Capital Projects including Front-End Loading and Detailed Design work.

This position is open to candidates coming from a background in Chemical, Mechanical or Electrical Engineering.

Location: Augusta, Georgia

Position Type: Full-Time

Reports To: Capital Projects Manager / Site Engineering Manager

Our Client is seeking a highly motivated and technically strong Project Development Engineer to support capital project development and execution activities at the Augusta, Georgia facility. The role is responsible for identifying, evaluating, and developing capital projects that improve safety, reliability, operational efficiency, environmental performance, and business profitability. The Project Development Engineer will work closely with Operations, Maintenance, Reliability, Process Engineering, Environmental, and Project Execution teams to advance projects from concept through commissioning.

The successful candidate will provide technical leadership, develop project scopes and business cases, manage engineering activities, and ensure successful delivery of capital investments aligned with our client’s strategic objectives.

• Identify and develop capital project opportunities supporting plant operations and business objectives.
• Lead project development activities from conceptual design through Front-End Loading (FEL) and authorization stages.
• Develop project scopes, design criteria, economic analyses, and funding requests.
• Prepare and present business cases to site and corporate leadership.
• Evaluate technical alternatives and recommend optimal solutions.

• Coordinate multidisciplinary engineering efforts including:
  • Mechanical
  • Electrical
  • Instrumentation & Controls
  • Civil/Structural
  • Process Engineering
• Review engineering deliverables for quality, completeness, and compliance with company standards.
• Support process optimization and debottlenecking initiatives.
• Participate in design reviews, HAZOPs, Process Hazard Reviews, and Management of Change processes.
• Develop equipment specifications and support vendor selection activities.

• Manage project scope, schedule, budget, and risk throughout project lifecycle.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders and external engineering firms, contractors, and suppliers.
• Monitor project progress and resolve technical and execution challenges.
• Support procurement activities, contractor management, and construction planning.
• Ensure project deliverables meet cost, schedule, and performance objectives.

• Provide engineering support during construction and installation activities.
• Participate in commissioning, startup, and performance testing activities.
• Verify project objectives and design intent are achieved.
• Support turnover to operations and maintenance organizations.

• Promote and demonstrate a strong commitment to site safety culture.
• Ensure projects comply with:
  • OSHA regulations
  • Process Safety Management (PSM) requirements
  • Environmental regulations
  • Applicable industry codes and standards
• Participate in safety reviews and risk assessments.
• Support incident investigations and implementation of corrective actions.

• Bachelor's degree in:
  • Chemical Engineering
  • Mechanical Engineering
  • Electrical Engineering
  • Metallurgical Engineering
  • Industrial Engineering
  • Related engineering discipline
• Minimum 5-10 years of engineering experience in a manufacturing, chemical processing, mining, fertilizer, metals, pulp and paper, or heavy industrial environment.
• Experience supporting capital projects from concept through implementation.
• Knowledge of project development, engineering design, and construction processes.
• Strong understanding of safety, reliability, and operational excellence principles.
• Excellent organizational,…