Principal Mechanical Engineer

About us

Worley is a global company of energy, chemicals and resources experts headquartered in Australia. We partner with our customers to deliver projects and create value across the life of their assets. We specialize in consulting, engineering, procurement and construction across the project lifecycle, with services extending through to operations and decommissioning. Leveraging extensive experience and AI-enabled delivery, we support customers in navigating complexity as they meet today's needs and transition to more sustainable solutions.

Purpose:

We are currently recruiting for a Principal Mechanical Engineer to function in a Lead/Requisition/Checking Position. This is a full-time role based in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

Worley is seeking a Principal Mechanical Engineer (Lead) based in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. This position provides mechanical engineering leadership and supports mechanical engineering deliverables across applicable project phases for the design and delivery of process and utility equipment across oil, gas, chemical, petrochemical, power, and bulk materials projects. The successful candidate will lead an engineering team, develop equipment data sheets, requisitions and technical bid evaluations along with the development and review of specifications, design calculations, and drawings; support procurement and construction activities; and ensure deliverables meet applicable codes, standards, and regulatory requirements. Reporting to the Mechanical Engineering Department Manager, this role partners closely with project teams, customers, and suppliers to enable safe, compliant, high-quality outcomes.

The ideal candidate is self-directed, collaborative, and results-oriented, with strong leadership, stakeholder engagement, communication capabilities, and a demonstrated ability to solve complex engineering challenges in regulated environments.

Responsibilities:

• Provide mechanical engineering leadership from concept through commissioning, including equipment selection, system integration, and overall technical direction.
• Perform responsibilities as a Principle Mechanical Engineer, supporting mechanical engineering activities on small to large capital projects under the direction of the Lead Mechanical Engineer, Mechanical Engineering Manager, and/or Project Engineer.
• Coordinate and participate in the development of mechanical engineering effort-hour estimates for proposed projects.
• Coordinate and participate in the development of project schedules for mechanical activities.
• Coordinate with piping, process, civil/structural, electrical, instrumentation, project controls, procurement, construction, and client teams to ensure alignment with project requirements and design basis.
• Coordinate and incorporate client requirements, project standards, and company procedures into mechanical deliverables.
• Support development of mechanical engineering effort-hour estimates, scope-of-work documents, project schedules, and staffing plans for proposed and active projects.
• Monitor the schedule, ensure that project objectives are met, monitor project controls and engineering execution within the approved budget.
• Responsible for reporting on engineering, design and equipment development status to the project team and performing monthly or bi-weekly assessments of progress.
• Lead the development, review, and approval of specifications, design calculations, and drawings for pressure vessels, heat exchangers, storage tanks, etc.
• Oversee the preparation and review of specifications for all other mechanical equipment within the project scope.
• Ensure adherence to client and/or company specifications, governing codes and standards, and good engineering practice.
• Ensure engineering deliverables comply with applicable regulatory requirements, industry standards, and Worley’s HSE and quality expectations.
• Deliver mechanical engineering services that meet Worley, customer, and statutory requirements, aligned to project schedules and budgets.
• Contribute to studies and project execution activities, including estimates, schedules, and technical inputs.
• Lead technical bid evaluations and provide recommendations to support vendor selection and procurement decisions.
• Review and approve vendor drawings, calculations, and technical data to confirm alignment with project requirements.
• Partner with suppliers and internal stakeholders throughout procurement and vendor document cycles to enable timely delivery.
• Maintain working knowledge of relevant codes, standards, and best practices; apply them consistently across deliverables.
• Review shop drawings and support inspections, as required, to verify conformance to specifications and quality requirements.
• Define scope of work, support planning activities, and develop RFQs (Requests for Quotation) to enable procurement.
• Identify, communicate, and support management of change to project scope.
• Stay current on emerging technologies and engineering practices to support continuous improvement and innovation.
• Provide professional engineering sign-off (stamp) on deliverables, where required and authorized.
• Communicate with equipment manufacturers and vendors to resolve technical clarifications and support procurement activities.
• Coordinate and support design registration submissions with applicable authorities having jurisdiction, as required.
• Coach and mentor junior engineers and designers, providing technical guidance and quality oversight with support of Subject Matter Experts.
• Represent the mechanical discipline in client engagements, regulatory interactions, and quality assurance activities.
• Lead or participate in risk assessments, design reviews, and constructability evaluations to support safe and efficient execution.
• Collaborate with cross-functional project teams across multiple Worley offices and time zones to deliver project outcomes; flexibility to support schedule demands may be required.
• Strong coordination with Worley Global Integrated Delivery (GID) counterparts to complete deliverables.
• Conduct site visits and field walkdowns in operating facilities and construction environments to support project execution; this may include short-duration land or air travel for coordination and inspections.

What you will bring

Technical/Industry Experience and Qualifications Requirements:

• Proven experience leading mechanical engineering scope on brownfield and greenfield projects within the oil, gas, chemical, petrochemical, power, and bulk materials sectors.
• Familiarity with various project phases (Pre-FEED, FEED, Detail Design) and the scope/deliverables required.
• Demonstrated expertise in the materials, design, fabrication, inspection, and testing of mechanical equipment.
• Experience with applicable industry standards for a wide range of mechanical equipment (ASME, API, etc.).
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to prioritize competing demands and deliver to tight deadlines.
• Ability to work effectively with other disciplines; understand engineering sequencing and workflows; and support customer design reviews.
• Demonstrated leadership, communication, and sound judgment, with the ability to influence outcomes in regulated, safety-critical environments.
• Commitment to safety, quality, and continuous improvement, with a customer-focused approach to delivery.
• 10+ years of overall experience on capital projects from feasibility through construction.
• 10+ years of applications engineering experience, and 7+ years lead role or related experience with engineering design of oil and gas, petrochemical, and chemical industries (experience in power, battery materials, and bulk solids is a plus).
• Advanced MS Office skills (Word, Excel, OneNote) preferred.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills required.

Education - Qualifications, Accreditation, Training:

Required:

• Recognized bachelor’s degree or master’s degree in mechanical engineering from an ABET accredited college or University.

Preferred:

• Registered Professional Engineering license preferred.

Moving forward together

We want our people to be energized and empowered to drive sustainable impact. So, our focus is on a values-inspired culture that unlocks brilliance through belonging, connection and innovation. We're building a diverse, inclusive and respectful workplace. Creating a space where everyone feels they belong, can be themselves, and are heard.

And we're not just talking about it; we're doing it. We're reskilling our people, leveraging transferable skills, and supporting the transition of our workforce to become experts in today's low carbon energy infrastructure and technology. Whatever your ambition, there's a path for you here.

And there's no barrier to your potential career success. Join us to broaden your horizons, explore diverse opportunities, and be part of delivering sustainable change.