Senior/Staff Engineer, Turbomachinery

Job Description

At Cheniere, we provide the world with safe, reliable energy. But more than that, we provide opportunities for our talented employees to impact their communities every day. Our diversity is key to our continued success and forges a path where our culture supports greater equity and inclusion for our employees, customers, and beyond.

Position Overview

The Turbomachinery Control System Engineer reports to the Reliability Superintendent and provides technical leadership in the operation, maintenance, and optimization of turbine control systems and associated instrumentation. This position supports the Reliability team by ensuring the safe, reliable, and overall performance of turbomachinery assets through advanced control system diagnostics, logic enhancements, and system upgrades. The Turbomachinery Control System Engineer is expected to lead Root Cause Failure Analyses (RCFA) for control-related incidents involving turbines, compressors, and their support systems. The incumbent must demonstrate strong dedication to operational excellence and maintain a high sensitivity to Health, Safety, and Environmental (HS&E) standards, ensuring all control system activities align with the Company’s policies and procedures for safe and efficient terminal operations.

Responsibilities And Essential Duties Control System Ownership

- Maintain, troubleshoot, and enhance turbine control systems (Mark VIe, MicroNet, HIMA, CCC).

- Analyze system performance and implement logic modifications to improve efficiency, reliability, and uptime.

- Lead alarm rationalization efforts and ensure appropriate system responses during operational disturbances.

Reliability & Troubleshooting

- Act as the subject matter expert during turbine trips, startups, shutdowns, and load transitions.

- Conduct root cause analyses (RCA) of control-related failures and implement corrective actions.

- Support predictive and preventive maintenance for control hardware and instrumentation.

- Familiar with Bentley Nevada and System 1.

Projects & Upgrades

- Collaborate with OEMs, vendors, and internal teams to support Capital Projects.

- Validate control logic changes prior to field deployment.

- Drive innovation in control system upgrades and modernization initiatives.

Compliance & Documentation

- Ensure adherence to safety standards and regulatory codes (API, NFPA, OSHA, ANSI/ISA, & IEC Standards).

- Maintain comprehensive documentation including logic diagrams, network architecture, and configuration backups.

- Lead Management of Change (MOC) processes for control system modifications.

Collaboration & Mentorship

- Train and mentor technicians and junior engineers in turbine control fundamentals.

- Serve as the primary liaison with OEM technical support and external engineering partners.

Knowledge

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS: The Turbomachinery Controls Engineer must possess expert-level knowledge of GE LM2500 +G4 gas turbines, with a strong understanding of both Single Annular Combustor (SAC) systems with water injection and Dry Low Emissions (DLE) systems. The ideal candidate will be highly proficient in Mark VIe control systems, MicroNet platforms, and CCC antisurge control systems, with the ability to interpret complex control logic, optimize system performance, and troubleshoot advanced control-related issues. This role requires a deep familiarity with turbine operational dynamics, control architecture, and integration of protection and sequencing systems to ensure safe and efficient operation.

Skills

- Deep expertise in turbine control logic, fuel metering, protection systems, and sequencing.

- Familiarity with industrial networking protocols, cybersecurity, and data historian systems.

- Proficient in CMMS platforms and RCA tools for failure analysis.

- Strong analytical skills and ability to make high-impact decisions under pressure.

- Participate in Hazard Reviews, PHAs, and LOPAs.

- Exceptional communication and presentation abilities.

- Strong leadership and organizational skills.

- Ability to work effectively across disciplines and with culturally diverse teams.

- High attention to safety in hazardous environments.

- Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Access, Project, PowerPoint).

Education And Experience

Education

- Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Control Systems Engineering, Instrumentation Engineering, or related field.

Experience

- Minimum 10 years of hands-on experience with turbine control systems; GE LM2500 +G4 experience required.

- Proven experience with DCS, PLCs, HMIs, and industrial automation platforms.

- Background in LNG, petrochemical, cryogenic gas processing, or hydrocarbon industries required.

DIRECT REPORTS

No direct reports. However, often coordinates the activities/provides technical guidance to others. Core of the job is to provide technical advice/leadership to others. May serve as a project manager on a medium to large sized engineering/construction project(s) including leading the work of other project managers, managers, professionals, and technicians outside of own department.

FREEDOM TO ACT

The Senior/Staff Engineer, Turbomachinery requires minimal supervision.

WORK CONDITIONS

- Required to be available for standby duty on weekends and after hours.

- While performing the duties of this job, the employee is often required to stand, walk, sit, climb stairs, work at height above ground on stairs and catwalks, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, talk or hear, smell, type, and write.

- Must occasionally lift and move up to 50 pounds.

- While performing the duties of this job, the employee will work indoors and outdoors and be exposed to year-round weather conditions, ocean environment, noise, and occasionally process gases and vapors.

- Specific vision abilities required include close vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

- May be required to work longer than normal hours during turnaround events.

- Must maintain a Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) card in good standing status.

Ada Job Requirements

Reasonable accommodations will be made to ensure that the essential functions of the job can be performed and not hinder the employee's performance due to physical, mental, or emotional disability.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

Cheniere Energy is an equal-opportunity workplace. All employment decisions are made without regard to sex, race, color, religion, national origin, citizenship, age, disability, marital or veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other legally protected categories. This includes providing reasonable accommodation if requested for disabilities or religious beliefs and practices.

About Us

Cheniere Energy is a global leader in LNG providing flexible, reliable and affordable energy to the world while powering the transition to a lower-carbon future.

We are a values-driven company that focuses on teamwork, respect, accountability, integrity, nimbleness, and above all, safety for our employees, our communities, and our assets.

Cheniere Energy’s global impact is achieved through a diverse and passionate workforce that is invested in our company through our annual stock-grant program. Our high-performing employees are united by a shared mission, common goals and a culture of inclusion and caring.

Our comprehensive compensation and benefits offerings are competitive and strong, and they prioritize wellness and performance incentives that reward results. As an employee of Cheniere Energy, you will make an impact on our business and our communities.

A Fortune 500 company, Cheniere Energy is headquartered in Houston with U.S. offices in Lake Charles, Louisiana and Washington D.C.; production sites in Cameron, Louisiana and Gregory, Texas; and international offices in London, Singapore, Beijing and Tokyo.