Project Associate Jobs in Houston, TX (NOW HIRING)

Your Job
Optimized Process Designs (OPD), a Koch Company, is seeking an EI&C Project Associate to join the team. You will assist in electrical, instrumentation, and controls execution of complex industrial projects from early development and detailed design through construction, commissioning, and turnover.
This role supports the design of electrical and control systems which includes power distribution, grounding, hazardous area classifications, and DCS, SIS, and PLC platforms. You will develop and review electrical deliverables such as equipment specifications, load lists, one-line diagrams, and control schematics as well as contribute to I&C deliverables including instrument indexes, I/O lists, and control narratives.
This role also provides exposure beyond design by supporting procurement, subcontractor coordination, field activities, and Factory Acceptance Tests (FATs) so you can see how engineering decisions translate into safe, buildable, and operable facilities.
This role is based in our Katy, Texas headquarters Monday - Friday 8am - 5pm when not making trips to project sites.
This role is not open to visa sponsorship.
Our Team
OPD is an engineering/construction company with an expertise in the natural gas, natural gas liquids, and petrochemical industries. OPD is part of the larger Koch organization which provides a variety of capabilities across many industries. Originally incorporated in 1980, OPD has developed a strong reputation for honesty, integrity, and ability to successfully execute projects. OPDs industry experience, flexibility, and personal attention have made us a preferred partner to our customers and our tight knit, highly productive, team atmosphere makes OPD a great place to work.
What You Will Do

• Support the execution of EI&C engineering across EPC projects, including design coordination, procurement support, construction, commissioning, and turnover
• Assist in the specification and design of DCS, SIS, and PLC systems, including development of control philosophies, architectures, logic diagrams, cause & effects, and control narratives
• Develop and maintain key EI&C deliverables such as instrument indexes, I/O lists, P&IDs, one-lines, schematics, wiring diagrams, and procurement packages
• Support electrical and safety-related design activities, including power systems reviews, grounding and lighting design, hazardous area classifications, and arc flash/short circuit studies
• Coordinate across disciplines (Process, Mechanical, Civil/Structural) and participate in technical reviews, risk assessments, and PHA/HAZID/HAZOP workshops
• Support subcontractor scopes, vendor coordination, and issue resolution during engineering and construction, providing short-term field and commissioning support as needed
• Interface with clients, vendors, and internal teams, and participate in Factory Acceptance Tests (FATs) for electrical and control system equipment

Who You Are (Basic Qualifications)

• Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering or other engineering discipline
• Experience working in Excel and other Microsoft Office tools
• Legal authorization to work permanently in the United States for any employer without requiring a visa transfer or visa sponsorship

What Will Put You Ahead

• Professional Engineering license
• Experience executing on EPC projects
• Experience with the design of power infrastructure and distribution of medium and/or low voltage systems OR the design of instrumented control and safety systems
• Experience in electrical, instrumentation, and control engineering for gas processing, petrochemical, and refining facilities
• Experience with Safety Instrumented System (SIS), DCS, BMS, and PLC
• Field construction engineering experience

At Koch companies, we are entrepreneurs. This means we openly challenge the status quo, find new ways to create value and get rewarded for our individual contributions. Any compensation range provided for a role is an estimate determined by available market data. The actual amount may be higher or lower than the range provided considering each candidate's knowledge, skills, abilities, and geographic location. If you have questions, please speak to your recruiter about the flexibility and detail of our compensation philosophy.
Hiring Philosophy
All Koch companies value diversity of thought, perspectives, aptitudes, experiences, and backgrounds. We are Military Ready and Second Chance employers. Learn more about our hiring philosophy here .
Who We Are
As a Koch Engineered Solutions company, Optimized Process Designs (OPD) provides clients with detailed engineering packages in all disciplines, single-point procurement for all equipment and materials, fabrication, and direct-hired construction services throughout the United States. We leverage in-house capabilities and provide services with faster speed to market to help deliver increased cost savings while minimizing risk.
At Koch, employees are empowered to do what they do best to make life better. Learn how our business philosophy helps employees unleash their potential while creating value for themselves and the company.
Our Benefits
Our goal is for each employee, and their families, to live fulfilling and healthy lives. We provide essential resources and support to build and maintain physical, financial, and emotional strength - focusing on overall wellbeing so you can focus on what matters most. Our benefits plan includes - medical, dental, vision, flexible spending and health savings accounts, life insurance, ADD, disability, retirement, paid vacation/time off, educational assistance, and may also include infertility assistance, paid parental leave and adoption assistance. Specific eligibility criteria is set by the applicable Summary Plan Description, policy or guideline and benefits may vary by geographic region. If you have questions on what benefits apply to you, please speak to your recruiter.
Additionally, everyone has individual work and personal needs. We seek to enable the best work environment that helps you and the business work together to produce superior results.
Equal Opportunities
Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability and protected veteran status. Except where prohibited by state law, some offers of employment are conditioned upon successfully passing a drug test. This employer uses E-Verify. Please click here for additional information. (For Illinois E-Verify information click here , aquí , or tu ).
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