Staff Electrical Engineer

Job Summary

The Staff Electrical Engineer serves as the Technical Authority for electrical systems supporting PEMEX Deer Park capital projects. This role is accountable for ensuring safe, reliable, and compliant design, installation, testing, and commissioning of electrical systems across all project phases, from Identify and Assess through Start-up and Close-out.

The position provides engineering governance, technical assurance, and field support, ensuring alignment with PEMEX Deer Park standards and long-term business objectives, NFPA 70E, NEC, and industry best practices, while driving quality execution by engineering contractors and suppliers.

Accountabilities & Responsibilities: 

Core Technical Competencies

• Electrical power system design and analysis: 


• Short circuit, load flow, and arc flash studies


• Protective relay coordination and settings review (SEL, ABB, GE)


• Equipment expertise: 


• Switchgear (LV/MV, arc-resistant)


• Motor Control Centers (including intelligent MCCs)


• Transformers, UPS systems, and battery systems


• VFDs and soft starters


• Construction & commissioning support: 


• Field troubleshooting, testing oversight, system energization


• Strong working knowledge of: 


• NFPA 70E (Electrical Safety)


• National Electrical Code (NEC)


• Industry standards (IEEE, NEMA, API where applicable)

Key Accountabilities


 

1. Technical Authority & Engineering Governance

• Serve as Technical Authority for electrical systems across the electrical project portfolio and strengthens technical governance, stakeholder coordination, organizational capability, and continuity.


• Serves as a recognized subject matter expert for complex electrical issues and provides guidance on critical engineering decisions, deviations from standards, and difficult design and execution matters.


• Ensure compliance with PEMEX Deer Park standards, codes, and regulatory requirements


• Provide technical direction and oversight to engineering contractors

2. Project Lifecycle Execution

Identify / Assess / Select Phases

• Support technology selection and electrical system concepts


• Define Basis of Design (BoD) for electrical systems


• Identify applicable codes, standards, and specifications


• Develop preliminary electrical scope, cost, and staffing inputs

Define Phase

• Review and approve engineering design packages (IFD level)


• Ensure completeness and quality of electrical deliverables


• Identify quality assurance requirements and inspection plans


• Approve equipment specifications and vendor selections

 Execute (Detailed Design Phase)

•  Review and approve engineering design packages (IFC level)


• Provide technical oversight and assurance during detailed engineering development by EPC/engineering contractors 


• Ensure all electrical deliverables meet PEMEX Deer Park standards, Basis of Design(BoD), and project specifications

Execute (Construction Phase)

• Provide field engineering support and resolve technical issues


• Conduct constructability reviews and field walkdowns


• Oversee contractor compliance with specifications and standards


• Support punch list development, tracking, and closure

3. Commissioning & Start-Up

• Provide technical leadership during equipment testing and commissioning


• Support energization readiness reviews and system turnovers


• Oversee: 
  
  
  
  • Equipment testing and performance validation
  
  
  • Troubleshooting of electrical systems
  
  


• Participate in development of: 
  
  
  
  • Electrical Equipment Cutover procedures
  
  
  • Start-up procedures
  
  
  • Operating and emergency procedures
  
  


• Ensure new alarms, protection settings, and operating limits are communicated to Operations and R/M as needed.

4. Post Start-Up & Project Close-Out

• Verify all systems meet requirements for turnover to operations


• Review as-built documentation for completeness and accuracy and assures it is checked in to PEMEX DP documentation system.


• Ensure proper delivery of: 
  
  
  
  • Equipment data books
  
  
  • Baseline and test data
  
  
  • Spare parts and preservation requirements
  
  


• Capture and implement lessons learned into standards and future projects

5. Contractor & Vendor Management

• Evaluate and approve suppliers and fabricators


• Review non-approved vendors for technical acceptability


• Participate in and/or lead: 
  
  
  
  • Factory Acceptance Tests (FAT)
  
  
  • Vendor performance reviews
  
  


• Ensure vendor compliance with specifications and project requirements

6. Safety & Risk Management

• Ensure strict adherence to NFPA 70E and site electrical safe work practices


• Support development and implementation of arc flash and electrical safety programs


• Participate in: 
  
  
  
  • Incident investigations (electrical events)
  
  
  • Risk assessments and hazard reviews
  
  


• Promote a strong safety culture aligned with PEMEX Deer Park expectations

7. Stakeholder Coordination

• Interface with: 
  
  
  
  • Electrical Engineering Department
  
  
  • Project Engineers and Managers
  
  
  • Operations and Maintenance teams
  
  


• Maintain alignment across disciplines and organizations


• Provide clear communication of project status, risks, and technical issues

8. Organizational & Leadership Responsibilities

• Lead and influence cross-functional teams without direct authority


• Mentor and develop junior engineers and specialists


• Support development of staffing plans for construction and commissioning


• Drive continuous improvement of electrical engineering standards and practices

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• Zero electrical safety incidents on assigned projects


• Successful first-time energization of systems


• Compliance with electrical standards and QA requirements


• Reduction in rework and punch list items


• Timely review and approval of engineering deliverables

Work Environment

• Combination of office-based engineering and field support activities


• Regular interaction with project construction sites and operating units


• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a dynamic project environment

Qualifications: 

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Proven experience reviewing and approving contractor engineering deliverables, including single-line diagrams, protective relay settings, equipment specifications, and electrical studies 


• Strong working knowledge of medium voltage power distribution systems (4.16kV, 13.8kV, and 15kV class equipment). 


• Experience performing or reviewing SKM or ETAP studies including short-circuit, load flow, protective coordination, and arc flash analyses. 


• Experience with SEL protective relays and power system protection schemes. 


• Experience leading electrical commissioning, energization planning, cutovers, and startup activities in operating facilities 


• Demonstrated success managing brownfield projects in active operating units with minimal production disruption. 


• Experience participating in Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT), Site Acceptance Testing (SAT), and vendor technical evaluations. 


• Familiarity with refinery electrical reliability programs, critical equipment strategies, and maintenance workflows. 


• Experience with DCS, SCADA, power monitoring systems, and intelligent MCC integration.


• Demonstrated ability to influence multidisciplinary teams and engineering contractors without direct supervisory authority.

Education, Experience and Skills 

Education and Experience: 

• Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering.


• Fifteen years or more of electrical engineering experience in petrochem environment. Past experience in a project environment highly desired.


• Strong knowledge of PEMEX DPSs.


• Strong electrical power background and knowledgeable of the installation, testing, and troubleshooting for 15kV electrical equipment and below. 


• Proficient in MS Word, Excel, MS TEAMS and SKM


• Knowledge of electrical construction processes and best practices, roles of specific trades, and manufacturing processes in a refinery or similar petrochemical operation.


• Strong organizational and effective time management skills


• Flexibility in managing changing priorities and ability to work with minimum supervision.


• Ability to work multiple tasks simultaneously.


• Strong leadership, communication and interpersonal skills


• Experience in a team environment is desired.


• Strong knowledge of electrical safe work practices (NFPA 70E).


• Strong knowledge of National Electrical Code.

Physical requirements: 

The physical demands described here are representative of those that should be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be provided to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions:

• Lifting requirements of 25 lbs.


• Walking distances of up to a mile


• 10% of work is performed in an outside petrochemical manufacturing environment.


• Occasional extended work hours during planned and unplanned events.