All employees are subject and agree to random drug and alcohol testing as a condition of employment and successfully go through a government screening process. Unescorted access required.  Candidate must successfully clear government background check.  Must be able to work safely at Plant site location. Based on project goals and objectives, candidates established within our local community are desirable.

Project Overview:

BGCAPP is subject to Army Regulations (AR50-6 Chemical Surety Program and BGCA Policy 28 Unescorted Access Program) which govern persons performing work under the Chemical Personnel Reliability Program (CPRP) and Unescorted Access Program (UAP). Eligibility to be placed in a CPRP or UAP position requires US citizenship. Employees must favorably complete a series of government background screenings to include but not limited to: a National Agency Check with Local Agency Check and Credit Check (NACLC) security investigation, drug/alcohol testing and medical examination.

BGCAPP operates on a 24/7 schedule. This position may be required to work a schedule of rotating shifts including nights, weekends, or holidays. All employees are subject to and agree to random drug and alcohol testing as a condition of continued employment for the duration of their assignment. Respiratory screening and the ability to wear PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) may be required for this position. The ability to obtain/maintain access to the Blue Grass Army Depot is required.

Position Summary:

The purpose of the Cognizant System Engineer (CSE) program, at the Bluegrass Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant (BGCAPP), is to ensure the continued operational readiness of the systems within its scope. One of the primary aspects of the CSE program is the designation of CSEs who are responsible for:

Maintaining overall knowledge and awareness of assigned systems

Providing systems engineering support for operations and maintenance

Technical support for ensuring continued system operational readiness

For each BGAPP system, the designated CSE will be the “System Owner". The responsibility of the CSE is to provide technical expertise and direction on a particular system to ensure the safe, efficient, and reliable performance of plant systems and components within the design and within environmental requirements, applicable codes and standards, approved procedures, and BGCAPP policy. The CSEs have the primary responsibility to achieve resolution of technical issues and provide direction regarding their assigned system(s), utilizing Engineering Staff “discipline” expertise when required.

Responsibilities:

The successful candidates will be expected to perform the following duties of this position, but are not necessarily limited to:

1. Configuration Management:

Understand system design and operation, including conformance to environmental, safety, and health requirements

Modification definition and control

Engineered equivalency analysis

Monitor all capital improvement projects and recommend training programs as per requirement

Monitor assigned systems and develop system status reports

System design documents and supporting documents must be identified and kept current using formal change control and work control processes

Demonstrate understanding of the following processes:

Maintenance Management

Work Control

Change Control

Document Control

Drawing Control

Conduct of Operations

Agent Safety

Limiting Conditions of Operations (LCOs)

Procurement, replacement, and related quality assurance requirements

Working knowledge of the plant’s operation

Vendor recommendations, manuals, and any product warnings

Lead resolution of design issues necessary to support plant operations and/or maintenance

Review Project design and other documents for operations, maintenance, and testing impacts and provide alternative solutions for problems

Review and concur with design changes, use-as-is, and equivalency determinations

Provide technical assistance in support of line management safety responsibilities and ensure continued system operational readiness

Ensure that system configuration is being managed effectively

Developing and maintaining expert knowledge of system(s), which encompasses:

Performance and Throughput

Flow paths

Operating parameters (e.g., pressure, flow, temperature)

Control logic and Components (hardware)

Resource and Conservation Recovery Act (RCRA) and requirements

Providing resolution of technical issues on a “system engineering” basis, utilizing Engineering staff discipline expertise, technology, or outside services, as required, in accordance with plant procedures

Answering system(s) Nonconformance Reports

Developing contractual requirements for service support

Interface with subcontractors, vendors, and project support groups

Supporting permit modifications by attending any meetings and providing field walk downs, as required, with State of Kentucky representatives

2. Operations and Maintenance Support:

Maintain overall cognizance of the system and be responsible for system engineering support for operations and maintenance

Monitoring, tracking, and trending performance of assigned systems

Define maintenance requirements and programs in order to reduce downtime, in coordination with maintenance staff

Troubleshooting; root cause analysis

Recommend improvements to existing systems

Analyze all equipment requirements and assist in requisition of tools and equipment

Maintain and review daily logs and assist to resolve all issues and provide support to engineering activities

Review and recommend improvements to SOP and facility/system related procedures and perform troubleshooting on plant activities and resolve issues and assist maintenance/operations personnel to implement changes

Remain apprised of operational status and ongoing modification activities

Evaluate all production activities and prepare reports for all activities and inspect all associate plant machines and equipment

System assessments (configuration, performance with respect to criteria) to include periodic reviews of system operability, reliability, and material condition to assess the system for the ability to perform design and safety functions and physical configuration as compared to system documentation

Initiate actions to correct problems

Remain cognizant of system-specific maintenance and operations history and industry operating experience, as well as manufacturer and vendor recommendations and any product warnings regarding their assigned systems

Provide assistance in determining operability, correcting out-of-specification conditions, and evaluating questionable data

Support field work in assigned areas, including integration of project activities, repairs, and equipment operations activities

Reviewing the Control Room logs and discussing the operation of the equipment, as appropriate, with operators to address any operations issues

Providing technical support to Operations for their assigned system, which includes:

Ensuring that any changes to operating procedures are reviewed for technical correctness

Recommending operation changes to improve reliability, safety, and plant equipment use where economically beneficial

Providing technical advice to Operations to ensure their understanding of the need for operational requirements, as specified

Supporting Operations personnel technical training on the assigned system(s)

Preparing for and supporting Operational Readiness Reviews (ORRs) and other testing activities

Providing technical direction to Maintenance

Performing agent operating area entries to evaluate equipment condition, performance, or needed repair

Implementing corrections through writing Maintenance Work Orders

Developing and reviewing purchase requisitions for replacement and spare parts

Assisting Maintenance in planning critical, unusual, or major maintenance activities

Developing Preventative Maintenance (PMs) procedures

Recommending changes in maintenance procedures based upon engineering evaluations of the trends observed

Reviewing calibration procedures and records

Conducting investigations during upset conditions

Conducting long-range preparation and planning for future campaigns, and reviewing identified campaigns for schedule improvements

Remaining immediately available for consultation with Operations, should the need arise, including around-the-clock support, as required

Providing support during Toxic entries to maintenance personnel

Preparing contract Scopes of Work (SOW) as required, which includes:

Generating a detailed SOW and submitting it for field and document review and update, as required

Completing the supplier data schedule

Attending pre-bid meetings and job-site visits, answering bidder questions, locating additional documentation needed to substantiate and answer bidder questions

Interfacing with the subcontractor, attending in-progress review meetings, and providing additional information to the subcontractor, as required

Performing final walk downs

Coordinating with Operations, Maintenance, and the contractor on scheduling installation activities

Overseeing installation activities and providing direction for resolving problems with the plant and the contractor

Coordinating and ensuring that all contract questions and needs identified within the contract are met

Providing interface with escorts and the contractor

Reviewing and approving submittals/material from subcontractors for accuracy

3. CSE Training and Qualification:

Complete required training and maintain qualifications associated with assignments

The basic CSE qualification level includes prerequisite education and experience, training, familiarization with the BGCAPP design, permitting and operational plans, and knowledge of processes and procedures applicable to CSE duties. Required reading is an important part of this qualification program and numerous required readings must be completed before satisfying the job requirements. The reading topics may not all be the same for all CSE qualification packages and are at the discretion of the Engineering Manager. Final evaluation of the CSE will be done in an oral interview/board.

In addition to the basic CSE qualification level, BGCAPP CSEs will be assigned one or more facility systems for specific qualification. For system-specific requirements, the CSE must demonstrate detailed system‑specific knowledge including key technical requirements, design basis information, and system interfaces, and demonstrate an understanding of specific Safety and Regulatory assumptions/implications for operation of the system. Final evaluation will be done by oral interview assessment, system walk-down or a combination of the two.

A CSE is fully qualified for his/her system when he/she has obtained the basic and system-specific qualifications.

Qualifications and Skills

Basic Qualifications:

Level 1 - A recognized degree in Chemical or Mechanical Engineering (or equivalent) from an accredited college or university with at least 6 years of relevant work experience or in lieu of a degree, minimum of 12 years of relevant work experience

Level 2 -  A recognized degree in Chemical or Mechanical Engineering (or equivalent) from an accredited college or university with at least  9 years of relevant work experience or in lieu of a degree, minimum of 15 years of relevant work experience 

Relevant experience includes but is not limited to, P&IDs, calculations, and specifications for Mechanical systems and equipment on power plants, refineries or chemical process facilities, or other types of engineering experience such as systems startup, mechanical and field engineering or plant operation in large industrial plants, utilities, process plants or other engineering/construction firms

Must be a US Citizen

Must be able to obtain and maintain any security clearances required for this position according to Army Regulation 50-6 (Chemical Surety)

Minimum Qualifications:

Knowledge of industry, and regulatory guides, codes, and standards

Skill in oral and written communication

Demonstrated expertise in system management

Preferred Qualifications:

Demonstrated expertise in mechanical systems design, operation, and troubleshooting

Knowledge of plant operations, system support and maintenance support activities

Demilitarization of chemical weapons processes and experience

Experience in government-based project execution, e.g. DOE, DOD etc.

Professional registration (PE)