Senior Project Engineer
Type: Full-Time, W2 โ Contract Assignment
Location: Los Angeles, CA (Remote) โ with bi-weekly travel to Houston, TX; field assignment to Santa Clarita, CA beginning approximately month 9
Salary: $130,000โ$165,000 DOE
About the Role
We are partnered with a leading national infrastructure and engineering services firm to recruit a Senior Project Engineer for a long-term contract assignment supporting a major regulated natural gas utility in Southern California. This is an ownerโs engineer role โ you will be embedded within the utilityโs project execution team and serve as the technical and coordination lead between the client and their Houston-based engineering partner.
The initial office phase is conducted remotely, with bi-weekly in-person travel to Houston required throughout. At approximately month nine, the role transitions to a field-based assignment at the clientโs gas storage facility in Santa Clarita, California, contingent on project team approval.
The right candidate brings substantial EPC execution experience in gas compression, storage, or analogous energy infrastructure and is comfortable working across both technical review and project coordination functions. Prior experience on natural gas utility capital programs โ particularly with compression or storage systems โ is the strongest differentiator for this role.
Key Responsibilities
Ownerโs Representation & Project Coordination
โขย ย ย ย ย Serve as the embedded ownerโs engineer on a major gas compression modernization program, representing the client utilityโs interests throughout engineering and execution
โขย ย ย ย ย Travel bi-weekly to Houston, TX to oversee and coordinate deliverables from the external engineering partner
โขย ย ย ย ย Monitor schedule, scope, and budget adherence; escalate deviations to the project management team
โขย ย ย ย ย Review and accept engineering drawings, specifications, and technical submittals on behalf of the client
Technical Oversight
โขย ย ย ย ย Apply gas compression and storage engineering expertise to evaluate design decisions and guide technical direction
โขย ย ย ย ย Ensure all engineering work conforms to applicable utility standards, specifications, and regulatory requirements
โขย ย ย ย ย Interface with utility stakeholders, equipment vendors, and engineering contractors across project phases
โขย ย ย ย ย Support construction and commissioning activities at the Santa Clarita gas storage facility upon field mobilization
Documentation & Reporting
โขย ย ย ย ย Maintain accurate records of engineering decisions, technical correspondence, and change order activity
โขย ย ย ย ย Prepare and present regular project status updates to client leadership
โขย ย ย ย ย Manage RFI and submittal workflows between the utility and the engineering partner organization
Qualifications
Required
โขย ย ย ย ย 10 or more years of experience in project engineering roles
โขย ย ย ย ย Background in gas compression, gas storage, or closely related energy infrastructure
โขย ย ย ย ย Demonstrated ability to represent the ownerโs perspective and manage third-party engineering organizations
โขย ย ย ย ย Availability to travel to Houston, TX on a bi-weekly basis for the duration of the assignment
Preferred
โขย ย ย ย ย EPC project execution experience
โขย ย ย ย ย Familiarity with natural gas utility engineering standards and operating procedures
โขย ย ย ย ย Petrochemical refinery or process plant design experience โ considered a strong advantage for this role
โขย ย ย ย ย Upstream or midstream oil and gas project experience
Compensation & Employment
Employment Type: As a W2 employee of Innovation Consulting, you will be placed on assignment with our client for this engagement.
Assignment Duration: Initial office and travel phase of approximately 9 months, followed by a field assignment to Santa Clarita, CA for up to 24 additional months, contingent on project team approval. Total initial engagement: up to 33 months. Strong expectation exists for continuation onto subsequent client projects, with total engagement potentially extending to five or more years for the right candidate.
Salary: $130,000โ$165,000 DOE
Location: Los Angeles, CA (Remote through field transition) โ bi-weekly travel to Houston, TX required. Relocation required if not a commutable distance from Los Angeles, CA.
Schedule: MondayโFriday, 40 hours per week
Benefits: Innovation Consulting offers competitive W2 compensation and benefits eligibility on long-term assignments.
Innovation Consulting LLC is an equal opportunity employer and recruiter. We review candidates without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other protected characteristic.