Water Treatment Subject Matter Expert - Produced Water Systems

Water Treatment Subject Matter Expert - Produced Water Systems
Division: Houston 
Department: Engineering 
Reports To: EVP of Engineering 
FLSA Status: Exempt

Position Summary
Our client is seeking an experienced Water Treatment Subject Matter Expert with deep specialization in produced water treatment systems to join the Oil and Gas Team. In this role, you will serve as a technical authority on produced water management strategies, treatment technology selection, and regulatory compliance, supporting project teams across the full lifecycle from design through operations.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities
- Serve as the primary technical expert on produced water treatment systems, including free water knockouts, skim tanks, hydrocyclones, induced gas flotation, media filtration, and membrane-based technologies.
- Evaluate, select, and optimize treatment technologies for produced water discharge, recycle, reuse, and disposal.
- Lead technical reviews, feasibility studies, and basis-of-design development for produced water handling facilities.
- Provide engineering oversight and QA/QC on design deliverables prepared by internal teams and external contractors.
- Support business development activities including proposal preparation, client presentations, and scope definition.
- Advise on regulatory compliance requirements related to produced water discharge, injection, and beneficial reuse.
- Stay current on emerging technologies, regulatory trends, and industry best practices in produced water management.
- Mentor junior engineers and serve as an internal resource for knowledge sharing across project teams.

Qualifications
Education and Experience
- Bachelor’s degree in Chemical, Environmental, or Mechanical Engineering, or related field.
- 10+ years of experience in waste/wastewater treatment, with at least 5 years focused on produced water or oil & gas water management.
- Demonstrated expertise in treatment train design for produced water discharge, recycle, and reuse.
- Familiarity with oilfield water chemistry, including scaling, corrosion, and biofouling considerations.
- Experience with vendor evaluation, pilot testing, and technology qualification processes.
- Strong communication skills with the ability to present complex technical concepts to both technical and non-technical audiences.

Specialized Training / Certifications
- TWIC card
- H2S and Safe Land / Safe Gulf certification
- HUET Offshore certification
- Valid driver’s license

Technical Knowledge / Skills
- Strong oral and written communication skills
- High attention to detail
- Self-sufficient with strong time management skills
- Ability to communicate effectively with technical and non-technical audiences
- Strong understanding of industrial, chemical, and mechanical engineering principles
- Knowledge of pump sizing, control valves, instrumentation, and controls
- Ability to read and create P&IDs and PFDs
- Knowledge of CAD a plus
- Ability to travel domestically and internationally as needed, up to 25%

Software / Computer Skills
- Microsoft Office
- MS Project
- Insightly and NetSuite CRM

Equipment
- Forklift
- Floor jacks
- Analytical instrumentation
- Pumps and motors
- Filtration equipment

Supervisory Responsibilities
- This position does not have direct supervisory responsibilities.

Physical Demands / Work Environment
- May require occasional standing, walking, reaching, climbing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, talking, and hearing.
- May require lifting and/or moving up to 50 pounds.
- Travel to client sites, industrial facilities, and field locations may be required.
- Work may involve exposure to wet/humid conditions, moving mechanical parts, fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, outdoor weather conditions, and vibration.
- Noise level is typically moderate.

With over 90 years' combined experience, NES Fircroft (NES) is proud to be the world's leading engineering staffing provider spanning the Oil & Gas, Power & Renewables, Chemicals, Construction & Infrastructure, Life Sciences, Mining and Manufacturing sectors worldwide. With more than 80 offices in 45 countries, we are able to provide our clients with the engineering and technical expertise they need, wherever and whenever it is needed. We offer contractors far more than a traditional recruitment service, supporting with everything from securing visas and work permits, to providing market-leading benefits packages and accommodation, ensuring they are safely and compliantly able to support our clients.