Senior Water Systems Engineer

Job Summary

The position will be a diverse position with engagement in the engineering, maintenance, as well as operations space, focusing on ensuring the reliable operations of various types of heat transfer equipment and programs deployed within Messer’s production facilities.

The successful candidate in this role will be a part of a world class National Maintenance and Reliability team, providing technical support for the various cooling system and heat transfer equipment technology Messer utilizes, as well as maintain ownership and ensure sound operation of the cooling water treatment program. The candidate will be engaged with various cooling system technologies including recirculating water systems, closed loop glycol systems, various types of filtration systems such as reverse osmosis, glass media, ion-exchange; as well as other heat transfer equipment such as heat exchangers of various styles, boilers, hot water bath vaporizers, and refrigeration systems. Regarding ownership of the cooling water treatment program, the successful candidate will be responsible for the successful operation of the cooling water treatment program that is deployed at the various locations across North America, ensuring compliance with local and national governmental entities as well as efficient and reliable operations of the program and associated equipment.

Why Messer?

Messer is the world’s largest privately held industrial gases company and what we do matters because it is woven into every part of life, from the medical gases that patients rely on to the essential elements needed to safely and sustainably produce the goods our communities depend on.

The true strength of Messer is our people—at every level and in every role.

Join us and take pride in the impact you will make by providing solutions essential to our world and lives. Reach your highest potential at our stable, inclusive company with diverse opportunities in a growing industry, supported by people who care.

Messer stands apart because we put what matters first, and you matter.

Principal Responsibilities

• Support the Area Production Directors and Sr. Maintenance & Reliability Managers in achieving key outcomes in safety, reliability, efficiency, cost, and customer service.
• Ensure compliance with all safety, health, environmental and quality standards within the area of responsibility.
• Establish a culture of safety in working with area plant engineers, field operations and service providers, in the execution of all aspects of the role requirements.
• Support the organization with day-to-day water systems and heat transfer equipment technical and operational support including water treatment systems, cooling water systems, cooling towers and associated equipment, heat exchangers.
• Manage and oversee the entire water treatment program for all Messer locations across North America acting as the primary interface between Messer and the respective water treatment system chemical and equipment suppliers, as well as service providers.
• Provide technical support and guidance through specialized knowledge as the subject matter expert (SME) for all water chemistry and treatment system issues, design changes, program changes, and new installations.
• Routinely review water treatment parameters and KPIs at locations for any out-of-control parameters or limits, while working with the water treatment suppliers and local site personnel to bring parameters back in control.
• Chair quarterly water treatment KPI review meetings with water treatment suppliers ensuring proper execution of the respective programs, providing technical feedback to suppliers on services rendered, and ensuring compliance with contractual obligations of service providers.
• Routinely review TCO (Total Cost of Ownership) of the water treatment program and looks for opportunities to improve efficiency while driving down waste and cost within the program.
• Provide detailed design for new water treatment system installations including P&ID, equipment specifications, materials of construction specifications, equipment layout, followed up with installation and execution support.
• Implement chemical feed system, control system, and mechanical equipment upgrade projects at plant locations.
• Develop the annual budget for all water treatment chemicals and services.
• Support procurement in contract negotiations as well as invoicing and billing discrepancies with relevant suppliers.
• Provide the authorization criteria against which the monthly water treatment invoices can be judged for accuracy prior to authorization for payment and ensure any discrepancies highlighted by the criteria are properly resolved.
• Support environmental department by providing technical expertise with respect to outfall and process water discharge compliance and solutions.
• Develop and maintain the preventative maintenance procedures for the various related pieces of equipment including cooling towers, pumps, filtration systems, boilers, hot water bath vaporizers, water treatment systems, etc. and ensure proper deployment to the locations.
• Execute area training initiatives and develop/deliver local training materials for area plant engineers and field operations responsible for water systems and heat transfer equipment, ensuring that they are trained to a level in line with the activities they are expected to undertake, including items such as: water treatment system operation, cooling tower operation and maintenance procedures, refrigeration system preventative maintenance practices.
• Provides design and technical support for specifications of new cooling system and heat transfer equipment such as water treatment systems, heat exchangers, cooling towers, and chillers.
• Provide technical support and oversite for repairs of cooling system and heat transfer equipment as well as on site management of contractor resources.
• Provide relevant technical support, review, and approval of changes using the Management of Change (MOC) process.
• Supports project proposals with design, specification, and estimating solutions regarding water system and heat transfer equipment.

Key Interface Detail – Internal/External

Internal interfaces

• Area Reliability and Maintenance Teams
• National Reliability and Maintenance Team - peers
• Area Maintenance and Reliability Managers
• Area Production Directors
• Plant Managers and Technicians
• Project Execution Team
• Process Engineering Team
• Remote Operations Center
• Health Safety Environmental & Quality Team

External interfaces:

• Related Vendors, Contractors, and Service Providers
• Water Treatment Suppliers
• Engineering Companies
• Customers

Education/Experience Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering Discipline – Chemical or Mechanical Preferred
• 7-10 years of experience with at least 5 years in an operational and engineering environment
• Travel ~30%

Qualifications

Interpersonal skills:

• Demonstrated exceptional operational safety leadership.
• Possesses strong communications skills at all levels.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.

Other qualifications:

• Detailed knowledge of water treatment systems and programs
• Demonstrated knowledge of one or more of the following preferred: Cooling systems, filtration systems, heat exchangers.
• Ability to follow through to completion on projects and solutions.
• Exhibited attention to detail.
• Demonstrated ability to challenge the status quo and improve existing processes/programs.
• Self-starter with the ability to manage multiple projects and achieve results with minimal supervision.
• Strong analytical and quantitative skills.
• Strong technical skills and ability to troubleshoot industrial equipment.
• Proven experience in Root Cause Analysis, Cause and Effect or FMEA methodologies
• Proven understanding of regulatory and industry standards and codes
• Air Separation experience and knowledge a plus.

Messer’s safety culture, commitment to providing dependable supply and innovative gas technology solutions help customers unlock opportunities to be safer, more sustainable, more productive and more efficient, so their business thrives. We nurture lasting, meaningful relationships with customers, our communities, and with one another.

We offer comprehensive benefits and appreciable pay, with steady schedules and opportunities for ongoing training and career progression. We prioritize and invest in our people at every level of our organization – the dedication, knowledge, customer focus and entrepreneurial spirit of our employees is what make Messer refreshingly different.