Shell Refinery Jobs in La Porte, TX (NOW HIRING)

Position Overview

We are seeking a highly capable Thermal Design Engineer to lead the thermal and hydraulic design of shell-and-tube heat exchangers and related heat transfer equipment using HTRI software. In this role, you will serve as a key technical resource supporting projects from proposal development through design, manufacturing, testing, and customer delivery.

The ideal candidate brings strong expertise in heat transfer, fluid flow, and process engineering, along with a practical understanding of industry standards such as TEMA and ASME Section VIII. You will work closely with customers and cross-functional teams to develop reliable, manufacturable, and cost-effective thermal solutions for demanding industrial applications.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Key Responsibilities

·         Lead the thermal and hydraulic sizing of shell-and-tube heat exchangers using HTRI software.

·         Develop thermal designs based on customer process conditions, performance requirements, and project specifications.

·         Evaluate existing exchanger performance and recommend upgrades, debottlenecking opportunities, or replacement strategies.

·         Optimize exchanger configurations to balance thermal performance, pressure drop, manufacturability, and cost.

·         Select appropriate exchanger types, tube layouts, shell configurations, baffle arrangements, and materials of construction.

·         Prepare thermal calculations, design documentation, and performance verification packages.

Proposal, Collaboration, and Project Support

·         Review customer specifications, process data sheets, and inquiry packages to develop sound thermal solutions.

·         Support proposal development by producing preliminary thermal designs and advising on key technical and commercial design drivers.

·         Partner with sales, customers, and internal stakeholders during technical discussions, bid reviews, and clarification meetings.

·         Collaborate with mechanical design engineers to align thermal and mechanical requirements and assess the impact of design changes on performance.

·         Provide engineering support to manufacturing, quality, and project teams to resolve design-related issues during fabrication and testing.

·         Contribute to continuous improvement by strengthening thermal design standards, workflows, and best practices.

Qualifications

Education

·         Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or related engineering discipline required.

·         Professional Engineer (PE) registration preferred but not required.

Experience

·         5+ years of experience in thermal design of shell-and-tube heat exchangers or related heat transfer equipment.

·         Experience with refinery, petrochemical, chemical processing, power generation, or industrial heat transfer applications preferred.

·         Knowledge of TEMA and ASME Section VIII requirements preferred.

·         Experience designing fixed tubesheet, U-tube, floating head, kettle reboiler, feed/effluent, and surface condenser exchangers utilizing HTRI, TEMA, and ASME Section VIII requirements.

Technical Skills

·         Advanced proficiency in HTRI.

·         Strong understanding of heat transfer, fluid mechanics, two-phase flow, condensation, vaporization, fouling, and pressure drop analysis.

·         Ability to interpret process flow diagrams (PFDs) and piping and instrumentation diagrams (P&IDs).

·         Familiarity with pressure vessel design principles and engineering calculation tools.

·         Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Excel and related engineering software.

Competencies

·         Strong analytical thinking and practical problem-solving skills.

·         Clear written and verbal communication skills with the ability to work across technical and commercial teams.

·         Ability to manage multiple priorities and deliver high-quality work in a deadline-driven environment.

·         Customer-focused mindset with a commitment to quality, accuracy, and responsiveness.

Working Conditions

·         Office-based engineering environment with periodic visits to manufacturing facilities.

·         Occasional travel to customer sites, refineries, chemical plants, and fabrication facilities.

·         Ability to support urgent customer and production needs as required.

Tarsco has served industrial clients for over 40 years providing EPC turnkey solutions for above ground storage tanks and terminals. Tarsco specializes in engineering, construction, repair, maintenance services and are experts in API standards including 650, 620, and 653 as well as NFPA, AWWA, ASME Section VIII, and National Board Stamp “R” repairs. With global operations, Tarsco is well positioned to deliver unsurpassed service to our domestic and international clients.

Tarsco's professional management team offers a single source of contact to ensure their project is successful by being on schedule and on budget. Stringent Health, Safety, and Environmental policies are a major factor in the success of our projects. Tarsco's goal is to achieve zero incidents with no time away from the project, and this is accomplished by adhering to HS&E policies, in-depth training, and holding everyone accountable for safety. The result is a safer workplace for all as we strive to exceed our clients' expectations.