Process Optimization Engineer Intern

Job Summary:

The Process Optimization Engineering (POE) Intern will support the POE team in improving the performance, reliability, and profitability of gas gathering, compression, saltwater disposal, and oil treating facilities across our West Texas Delaware Basin assets. The intern will assist engineers with operating data analysis, hydraulic and process model support, and capital project economics, gaining hands-on exposure to midstream oil and gas operations, field facilities, and data-driven optimization tools.

Key Responsibilities:

• Assist Process Optimization Engineers in monitoring and analyzing daily gathering, compression, and facility operating data to support safe, compliant, and profitable operations.
• Assist with data compilation, process simulation inputs, and economic calculations to support capital project recommendations for safety, environmental compliance, and profitability.
• Support monitoring of compression, treating, and gathering equipment performance using SCADA and data historian tools (Seeq)
• Participate in Process Hazard Analyses (PHA) and Management of Change (MOC) reviews as an observer/contributor.
• Help prepare summaries, presentations, or documentation to communicate findings to Operations, HSSE, and Engineering stakeholders.
• Willing and eager to learn, while helping drive process improvement initiatives across the POE team.

Qualifications:

• Currently pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Chemical, Mechanical, Petroleum, or a related Engineering discipline.
• Coursework or academic exposure to fluid mechanics, thermodynamics, or process engineering preferred.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel; familiarity with data analysis or visualization tools is a plus.
• Proficiency in AI tools such as Claude, Microsoft Copilot, and ChatGPT required.
• Exposure to or interest in hydraulic modeling software (e.g., Synergi, PIPESIM, OLGA) or gas compression simulation tools (e.g., Ariel Performance) is a plus but not required.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with attention to detail.
• Strong communication skills and ability to work collaboratively with Operations, HSSE, and Engineering teams.

Educational Requirements:

• Currently enrolled in an accredited university pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree; Chemical, Mechanical, or Petroleum Engineering preferred, though other engineering disciplines may be considered.

Certification/Licenses:

• Valid driver’s license with no restrictions that would prohibit driving a company vehicle, required for field site visits.

Travel Requirements:

• The percentage of travel required for this position is 0 - 10%, primarily for occasional field familiarization visits to gathering, compression, and facility sites in the Delaware Basin (West Texas).

Work Schedule:

• This position utilizes a Hybrid work schedule: Monday-Thursday (9-hour days) and Friday (4-hour day), with occasional flexibility for business needs.
• WES reserves the right to change employee’s schedule if it is required by operations.