Instrument and Electrical Reliability Engineer

Job Description:

Instrument and Electrical Reliability Engineer

Huntsman is seeking an Instrument and Electrical Reliability Engineer supporting the Performance Products Division located in Freeport, TX. This position will report to the Engineering Manager.

Job Scope

The Instrument and Electrical Reliability Engineer provides technical engineering support for all electrical and instrumentation systems at the Huntsman Freeport Performance Products plant. This role is responsible for maintaining the reliability, integrity, and regulatory compliance of plant instrumentation, electrical distribution systems, control systems, safety instrumented systems (SIS), and associated equipment throughout their lifecycle.

The Instrument and Electrical Reliability Engineer serves as the site subject matter expert for electrical and instrumentation disciplines, working closely with Operations, Maintenance, and Process Safety Management (PSM) teams to ensure safe, efficient, and compliant plant operations. This position plays a critical role in supporting turnaround activities, root cause failure analyses, reliability improvement initiatives, and the Management of Change (MOC) process.

In summary, as the Instrument and Electrical Reliability Engineer, you will:

• Ensure compliance with Huntsman EHS standards, OSHA PSM regulations, and applicable industry codes and standards.
• Maintain zero overdue KMS MOC, Action Items, and BPA documentation in accordance with established deadlines.
• Support Process Hazard Analysis (PHA/HAZOP) reviews for instrumentation and electrical systems.
• Maintain electrical area classification documentation and hazardous area drawings.
• Provide daily technical support for instrumentation, analyzers, control valves, electrical distribution systems, VFDs, UPS systems, battery systems, transformers, and associated equipment.
• Review, interpret, and maintain instrument loop diagrams, P&IDs, electrical one-line diagrams, and related engineering documentation.
• Develop and maintain equipment specifications, datasheets, and material requisitions for new and replacement equipment.
• Support DCS, PLC, process control systems, functional testing, and validation activities in accordance with IEC 61511 requirements.
• Manage and maintain the site instrument calibration program, ensuring schedules and records remain current.
• Develop equipment lifecycle and obsolescence plans for instrumentation, control systems, analyzers, VFDs, UPS systems, and electrical assets.
• Identify end-of-life equipment and develop replacement strategies aligned with plant priorities.
• Collaborate with Reliability teams to improve asset performance and Mean Time Between Failures (MTBF).
• Develop and optimize preventive maintenance strategies within SAP PM.
• Perform periodic assessments and ranking of asset criticality.
• Complete root cause failure analysis (RCFA) assignments and ensure corrective actions are implemented.
• Review 5-Why analyses and recommend improvements to prevent recurrence.
• Support turnaround planning, project execution, commissioning activities, and pre-startup safety reviews (PSSR).
• Develop engineering packages, maintenance scopes, technical specifications, and scopes of work for I&E projects.
• Serve as the I&E technical reviewer for Management of Change (MOC) activities.
• Update engineering documents, loop sheets, and instrument indexes following approved changes.
• Participate in post-MOC field verification and as-built documentation activities.
• Promote Huntsman's EHS culture through active participation in safety observations, hazard reporting, and Life-Saving Rules compliance.
• Collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams to support business objectives and plant reliability initiatives.

Qualifications

You must possess the below minimum qualifications to be initially considered for this position. Preferred qualifications are in addition to the minimum requirements and are considered a plus factor in identifying top candidates.

The candidate must have an unrestricted right to work for Huntsman in the United States.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or a closely related engineering discipline from an accredited university.
• 5+ years of relevant Instrumentation and Electrical (I&E) experience in a chemical, petrochemical, or refining environment.
• Demonstrated technical ownership of plant electrical and instrumentation systems.
• Strong knowledge of instrumentation principles, including measurement, control loops, PID tuning, and flow, pressure, temperature, and level instrumentation.
• Strong knowledge of electrical systems, including power distribution, transformers, motor controls, MCCs, VFDs, UPS systems, and grounding systems.
• Experience working with DCS platforms and/or PLC-based control systems.
• Knowledge of NEC, NFPA 70E, hazardous area classifications, and ISA standards.
• Experience with SAP PM, calibration management systems, and engineering document control systems.

Skills and Knowledge

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Technical troubleshooting and root cause analysis capabilities.
• Strong organizational and planning skills.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Collaboration and teamwork.
• Attention to detail.
• Accountability and ownership.
• Continuous improvement mindset.
• Customer and stakeholder focus.
• Sound decision-making skills.
• Adaptability and flexibility.
• Ability to work independently and within cross-functional teams.
• Commitment to safety excellence and regulatory compliance.

Preferred Qualifications

• ISA CCST certification or equivalent instrumentation certification.
• Experience with OSHA 1910.119 Process Safety Management requirements in a highly hazardous chemical environment.
• Experience supporting turnaround and capital project execution activities.
• Experience with Safety Instrumented Systems (SIS) and IEC 61511 requirements.
• Experience with reliability improvement programs and condition monitoring initiatives.
• Knowledge of asset lifecycle management and equipment obsolescence planning.

Working Environment

• Regular presence in a manufacturing and chemical processing environment is required.
• Frequent interaction with operating units, electrical systems, instrumentation equipment, and maintenance personnel.
• Ability to support field troubleshooting, turnaround activities, commissioning efforts, and project execution.
• Ability to work additional hours or overtime as required to support production objectives and business needs.
• Participation in Environmental, Health, and Safety initiatives and completion of required company training programs.
• Exposure to industrial plant environments and associated safety requirements.
• Ability to perform duties in compliance with all company, regulatory, and safety standards.

Additional Locations: