Hybrid Lead Engineer – Start Up

at Air Products

• Job title: Lead Engineer – Start Up
• Job type: Full Time
• Experience level: Senior
• Salary: Not specified
• Degree requirement: Bachelor's Degree
• Location requirements: Hybrid, Allentown, United States

About the role

• Commissioning & Startup Engineer at Air Products overseeing global projects and safe plant startup. Collaborating cross-functionally to implement commissioning processes and ensure operational readiness.

Responsibilities

• 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.

Requirements

• 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.
• 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.
• 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).

Benefits

• 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