Engineering Manager – Feasibility Study & Preliminary Engineering (Steelmaking Facility)

Company details

Is metallurgy a dusty, old-fashioned environment? Not at all! The steel industry is reinventing itself! Steel is everywhere. Join the adventure and discover modern practices and technological facilities that are well worth the diversions. The NLMK Group is one of the most important players in the steel industry and one of the most efficient in the world. We are present in 7 countries and have 20 production sites. And we're not stopping there! We know why we exist. We believe in our strategy. We are driven by strong values. The only thing missing is you. Make a big impact and shape the future of a carbon-neutral steel industry with us!

We are conducting a feasibility study on establishing Electric Arc Furnace (EAF) steelmaking in Europe as a pathway to decarbonization of the steel supply chain to supply some of the lowest CO2 flat steel products in Europe. While it is still in the feasibility study stage, this project is a potential game-changer for our shift toward sustainability and decarbonization.

We are actively looking for experienced project and steelmaking engineers to support this study.

If you are interested in joining a project that could create a new leader in low-carbon steelmaking let us know.

Job Details

Function

Mission

The Engineering Manager will lead and manage the engineering efforts for the feasibility study and preliminary engineering of a new Electric Arc Furnace (EAF) steelmaking facility in Europe. This includes overseeing all engineering disciplines—process, mechanical, electrical, civil, structural, and instrumentation—and managing the technical interfaces between these disciplines, both within the steelmaking process (inside battery limits) and the balance of plant (outside of battery limits).

This position requires a highly experienced and technically proficient individual with expertise in the design, integration, and execution of steelmaking facilities, specifically in the EAF process. The Engineering Manager will be responsible for ensuring the successful coordination of all engineering activities, developing integrated designs that meet project objectives in terms of cost, schedule, quality, safety, and sustainability.

Key Responsibilities

1. Leadership & Team Management:

• Lead Engineering Teams: Directly manage a multidisciplinary team of engineers across process, mechanical, electrical, civil, and instrumentation disciplines. Foster a collaborative and high-performance engineering environment.
• Resource Management: Ensure the engineering team is adequately resourced, with the right mix of skills and expertise to meet project requirements. Oversee resource allocation across various phases of the feasibility and preliminary engineering studies.
• Mentorship & Development: Provide mentorship to junior engineers. Encourage knowledge sharing and skill development within the engineering team.

2. Engineering Scope & Deliverables Management:

• Define Engineering Scope: Lead the development and documentation of the engineering scope for both process (inside battery limits) and balance of plant (outside battery limits). Ensure clear definitions of scope, technical requirements, and deliverables across all engineering disciplines.
• Coordinate Technical Interfaces: Manage and coordinate all technical interfaces between process and infrastructure systems, ensuring alignment across engineering disciplines. Address any design integration challenges to ensure a seamless overall facility design.
• Monitor Design Progress: Ensure that all engineering deliverables (drawings, specifications, technical reports, etc.) are developed on schedule, within budget, and meet the required quality standards. Establish clear milestones for engineering progress during feasibility and preliminary engineering phases.
• Design Integration: Ensure that the EAF steelmaking process design integrates effectively with the balance of plant systems, such as utilities (water, power, gases), material handling, waste treatment, and logistics, and that all systems function cohesively together.

3. Feasibility Study & Preliminary Engineering Oversight:

• Feasibility Study Leadership: Oversee the engineering input to the feasibility study, ensuring all technical aspects are thoroughly evaluated, including process options, infrastructure requirements, and environmental considerations.
• Preliminary Engineering Execution: Lead the development of the preliminary engineering design, including preliminary layouts, system design concepts, and equipment specifications for the steelmaking process and balance of plant systems.
• Innovative Design Solutions: Propose innovative and cost-effective engineering solutions to address project challenges. Leverage advanced technologies and best practices to improve design efficiency and operational performance.

4. Technical Risk Management:

• Identify Technical Risks: Proactively identify technical risks related to design, integration, and performance during the feasibility and preliminary engineering phases. Develop risk mitigation strategies to reduce or eliminate potential issues.
• Address Complex Engineering Challenges: Resolve any technical challenges that arise during the engineering process, particularly related to the integration of the EAF process with the balance of plant systems.
• Risk Assessment: Collaborate with the project management and risk management teams to assess overall project risks and develop integrated risk management plans that encompass both engineering and project risks.

5. Project Coordination & Stakeholder Communication:

• Cross-Disciplinary Coordination: Ensure that the various engineering disciplines (process, mechanical, electrical, civil, etc.) work effectively together, with clear communication and alignment on project goals and deliverables.
• Internal Communication: Act as the main point of contact for all engineering-related matters, providing regular updates to the Project Director, senior management, and other stakeholders on engineering progress, challenges, and key decisions.
• External Engagement: Coordinate with external engineering consultants, contractors, and equipment suppliers to ensure technical requirements are met and that deliverables align with the overall project schedule.

6. Quality Control & Safety Management:

• Quality Assurance: Oversee the development and implementation of engineering quality standards and procedures. Ensure all engineering work is conducted in compliance with industry standards, regulatory requirements, and best practices.
• Health, Safety & Environmental (HSE): Ensure that all engineering activities comply with HSE regulations and company policies. Champion the integration of safety into the design process, conducting safety reviews and ensuring design solutions prioritize operational safety.
• Sustainability Integration: Advocate for sustainability in design, ensuring that energy efficiency, waste reduction, and environmental protection are incorporated into the engineering solutions for both process and infrastructure systems.

7. Budget, Schedule, and Resource Management:

• Budget Oversight: Develop and manage the engineering budget, ensuring that engineering activities stay within financial parameters. Implement effective cost control measures to avoid budget overruns.
• Schedule Management: Develop and manage the engineering schedule, ensuring timely delivery of all engineering milestones. Monitor progress against the project schedule and take corrective actions as needed to avoid delays.
• Resource Planning: Work closely with the Project Director to ensure that the required engineering resources (internal and external) are available and efficiently utilized throughout the project.

8. Vendor & Contractor Management:

• Contractor Coordination: Manage the interface with external contractors and engineering service providers, ensuring that all deliverables align with project specifications and timelines.
• Vendor Selection and Oversight: Assist in the selection and evaluation of engineering vendors and contractors, ensuring that they meet the technical and quality requirements for the project.
• Procurement Support: Work with the procurement team to ensure the timely acquisition of critical equipment and services for the engineering phase, addressing any technical issues that may arise during procurement.

Profile

Education

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Civil, Chemical, Metallurgical, Electrical, or related discipline).
• Professional certifications (e.g., PMP, Six Sigma, or equivalent) would be advantageous.

Experience

• Steelmaking Facility Design: At least 10-15 years of experience in engineering, with a strong background in the design and development of integrated steelmaking facilities, specifically Electric Arc Furnace (EAF) technology.
• Process & Infrastructure Integration: Extensive experience in managing the integration of process design (inside battery limits) with balance of plant systems (outside battery limits), including utilities, material handling, infrastructure, and waste management systems.
• Engineering Leadership: Proven experience leading and managing multidisciplinary engineering teams, ideally within large-scale industrial projects or steelmaking facilities.
• Project Management: Familiarity with project management principles and practices, particularly in the context of large engineering projects. Ability to work closely with project managers to ensure engineering deliverables align with overall project goals.
• HSE and Quality Standards: In-depth knowledge of safety, quality, and environmental standards in the industrial and steelmaking sectors.

Skills

• Technical Expertise: Strong technical expertise in EAF steelmaking, including process design, equipment selection, and integration with auxiliary systems (e.g., power, water, gas).
• Interdisciplinary Coordination: Ability to manage complex technical interfaces across multiple engineering disciplines, ensuring alignment and integration of designs.
• Leadership and Communication: Exceptional leadership and communication skills, with the ability to manage diverse teams and communicate effectively with stakeholders at all levels.
• Problem Solving: Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to tackle complex engineering challenges and find practical solutions.
• Software Proficiency: Familiarity with engineering design software (AutoCAD, 3D modeling tools, etc.), project management tools (MS Project, Primavera), and other relevant applications.

Desired Attributes

• Strategic Vision: Ability to think strategically and ensure engineering solutions align with the overall business and operational goals.
• Innovation: Ability to propose innovative solutions and continuously look for opportunities to improve designs and processes.
• Sustainability Focus: Commitment to incorporating sustainable and energy-efficient practices into engineering designs.
• Results-Oriented: Driven to meet project goals and deadlines while maintaining a focus on quality, safety, and cost-efficiency.

Offer

Working Conditions

• Location: Based in La Louvière, Belgium, with some travel to project sites, vendor locations, and external meetings as needed.
• Hours: Full-time, with flexibility to accommodate project needs, including occasional extended hours or weekend work.
• Travel: Some domestic and international travel may be required during key phases of the project.

Why choosing NLMK?

This Engineering Manager role is crucial for ensuring the seamless integration of all engineering disciplines in the development of a new EAF steelmaking facility in Europe. The successful candidate will combine technical expertise, leadership skills, and a deep understanding of steelmaking facility design to deliver a high-quality, cost-effective, and timely solution.

Do you want to help shape the future of carbon-free green steel? Do you want to be part of a team where everyone has a say? Do you want to work in a fast-moving environment with plenty of opportunities for career development? You can make a difference and have your voice heard at NLMK Europe!

This is a unique opportunity to start, develop and grow in one of the world's most successful steel companies. NLMK's success is based on the strength of a team with family values and a strong international presence. A team that improves and innovates every day to be better than yesterday. Excellence, customer satisfaction and safety are our key drivers.

Are you interested? Send us your application!
All agencies that have experience with this kind of industrial projects can contact us (a.paternostre@eu.nlmk.com)