Lead Engineer - Start Up

At Air Products, we reimagine what’s possible. By tapping into the motivation of our people and our collective experience, we create the ideas and innovations that drive us forward. When we come together – where every voice is heard and everyone knows they belong and matter – we create solutions that launch people into space, support lifesaving care in hospitals, and enable the construction of groundbreaking, world scale production facilities.

Reimagine What’s Possible 

The Commissioning & Startup Engineer supports Air Products’ global projects from early design through successful plant startup, ensuring safe, reliable, and efficient commissioning for facilities involving Hydrogen (SMR/POx), HYCO, Gasification, CO₂ sequestration, Utilities, and Ammonia technologies. This hybrid role begins in the office—contributing to bid-phase input, commissioning strategy, P&ID reviews, work instruction development, and safety/process design reviews—before transitioning to on‑site leadership during pre‑commissioning, commissioning, and startup.

The engineer works cross‑functionally with global engineering, operations, construction teams, vendors, and safety specialists to implement commissioning processes, lead field execution, troubleshoot issues, and ensure operational readiness. Responsibilities include developing commissioning procedures, planning and preparing equipment and systems for startup, installing and validating rotating equipment, optimizing controls (DCS/PLC), driving safety and compliance, performing root cause analyses, supporting plant operations training, maintaining documentation, and assisting with maintenance activities during startup.

The role requires strong leadership, technical depth across mechanical, electrical, instrumentation, and controls disciplines, and the ability to represent the commissioning organization with internal teams and customers. The engineer also mentors' operations teams, contributes to continuous improvement, and helps align global commissioning practices.

At Air Products we foster a culture of inclusion where every voice is heard, and everyone feels they belong and matter. Additionally, we offer competitive pay and great benefits for our employees. Check out some of our benefits below!

• Affordable Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance (day 1 of employment)
• 401k with 100% vested company core and match
• Paid Vacation, holidays + sick time
• Paid Parental leave (Up to 8 weeks)
• Backup Child and Adult Care benefit
• Adoption assistance
• Flexible spending accounts (medical, dependent daycare)
• Life Insurance (AD&D- Paid for by Air Products), Supplemental AD&D
• Legal Plan & Identity theft coverage
• EAP (Employee Assistance Program)
• Many more supplemental benefits available

• Provide & maintain a safe work environment for self & others. Employ good housekeeping methods and demonstrate leadership with all company & industry safe work processes to prevent injuries. Ensure proper documentation is maintained for safety related activities.
• The position, depending on the incumbent, will primarily support Hydrogen processes (Steam Methane Reforming and Gasification), Hydrogen Liquefaction, Utilities, and Ammonia.
• The successful candidate will have the opportunity to compliment field activities by providing input in commissioning and start-up planning, development of work instructions, P&ID reviews, model reviews, commissioning scheduling, commissioning walk-down inspections, equipment checklists, plans for cleaning/ flushing and run in of equipment, Design Hazard Reviews (Pre-Safety Start-up Reviews), Pre Startup Safety Reviews and the execution of commissioning & start-up management systems.
• Develop the Commissioning procedures in preparation for a safe and efficient startup of the units.
• Support a dynamic team that sets the example for being leaders in Safety during the construction, commissioning, startup, and startup stabilization period bringing new assets online
• Lead the site team to plan, handle, and prepare equipment and systems for first time startup
• Ensure development of work processes and strategy for field construction and commissioning of rotating equipment
• Transfer of projects from Engineering to Operations - completions of project specific documents, PID’s lessons learned, and project close out reports.
• Understand PLC and DCS controls, logic, PID tuning, and sophisticated control systems
• Setting the strategy and supporting contractors and personnel to properly install and startup equipment.
• Provide operations evaluation & determinations, issue operations direction & guidance, and supervise inspection & quality assurance initiatives for all aspects of the unit operations being supported, including commissioning, startup, solving, maintenance, repair, and test activities.
• Provide support & guidance during the construction & commissioning of the plants. Ensure documentation for all commissioning activities is maintained and submitted via completions database and meet all performance parameters of the plant. Monitor quality assurance initiatives including installation & assembly, alignment, cleanliness, integrity, etc. of the equipment being installed.
• Provide commissioning support in the new installation, existing plant modifications, on-going operations, and continuous improvement and maintenance activities for the facilities in the Region. Ensure the activities related meet legal requirements and comply with Air Products safety and operations standards.
• Provide Operations guidance to ensure safety, reliability and maintainability of equipment, processes, utilities, and controls
• Participating in plant solving, turnaround support and performance optimization for existing facilities
• Being a member of a complementary team that sets the example for being leaders in Safety during the construction, commissioning, start-up and stabilization period for new assets
• Mentor site operations and engineering teams in handling plant production efficiently based on input provided from Plant Management and Plant Process Engineering to ensure safety and reliability targets are met to achieve maximum profitable. Use the PIC center when applicable to assist the local teams for day-to-day operations.
• Provide operations support and safety leadership for MOC’s, OPHRs, and other safety related initiatives to drive process safety compliance. Consult Air Products process safety personnel as required for additional technical support.
• Provide commissioning and startup leadership in supporting / leading investigations and Root Cause Analysis to identify & implement sustainable corrective actions.
• Be proficient in computer software such as:
• MS Excel | MS Word / MS Powerpoint
• Bluebeam
• Knowledge of Navisworks / SP3 Hard-working Pant Review is a plus
• Knowledge of MS Project

• Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent experience in Chemical Engineering (Mechanical Engineers will be considered with operations background) or Equivalent Shown Experience.
• Minimum 15 years in Engineering or Operations roles, 5 years of which are in a commissioning support role a plus.
• Global travel of > 60% per year including on-site assignments. The position will be office based during the bid phase through detailed engineering design, followed by a field support role during pre-commissioning, commissioning and startup of the facility.
• The successful candidate for this position will be required to be based out of the Allentown, Pennsylvania or Houston, Texas office. Demonstrated ability to operate, commission, startup, troubleshoot, assess, and resolve various plant related issues, preferably in Industrial Gas facilities. Experience and knowledge in the technology, design, and operation of Hydrogen (SMR / POx), HYCO, Gasification, Utilities & Ammonia process systems preferred. Strong background in all aspects of operating facilities including machinery, instrumentation and controls, electrical, mechanical systems, and sophisticated controls across multiple technologies. Confirmed operations and technical skills. Knowledgeable in process safety, health, and local environmental requirements. A strong commitment to employee involvement, team building and diversity. Strong background in commissioning/ start-up and operation of rotating equipment Field construction and commissioning/ start-up experience desired Ability to read P&ID's, isometrics, interpret design curves of field machinery and function testing/ validation of field equipment. Possess strong leadership skills to drive both internal and external teams to their highest performance. The ability to represent the America’s Commissioning and Startup Engineering Organization and Air Products in front of our participants (project teams, construction, operations, and our customers) The ability to understand and the desire to learn a wide array of plant teams including electrical, piping, mechanical, controls, instrumentation, systems. Excellent communication skills, oral and written, able to communicate between management, operations, maintenance, and customers. Demonstrated leadership, organizational, computer and social skills combined with good communications skills (written and verbal). Formal training and experience with leading RCA’s, the six-sigma process, and continuous improvement tools a plus.

• This position requires to work from the Allentown, Pennsylvania or Houston, Texas office.

Join Air Products, where we proudly value the skills, dedication, and leadership that veterans offer. As a veteran-friendly organization, we actively encourage and welcome veterans to apply for various roles within our company. We recognize the unique strengths and experiences that veterans give, and we further a workplace that honors your service while providing a platform for professional growth.

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Founded in 1940, Air Products is a world-leading industrial gases company and has a proud history of innovation, operational excellence, with an unwavering commitment to safety and environmental stewardship. Working together, we are taking our passion and diverse backgrounds forward to reimagine what’s possible and generate a cleaner future for our customers, our communities, and the world.
  
We are an Equal Opportunity Employer (U.S.).  You will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, age, citizenship, gender, marital status, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, disability, or veteran status.  

Air Products is committed to working with and providing a reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. If you have a disability and you believe you need a reasonable accommodation to search for a job opening or to submit an online application, please e-mail us at [email protected]. General application status inquiries are not answered by this mailbox rather you’ll receive an e-mail directly from our Career Center and/or the Talent Acquisition Specialist.