Engineer (Principal or Staff) – Pipeline

About this role

At Williams, we’re powering a cleaner, more connected future, and that starts with you. Here, your work fuels communities, drives innovation, and helps deliver reliable energy the world depends on. Join a Fortune 500 team that invests in your growth, values your contributions, and challenges you to make a lasting impact every day.

Williams is seeking an experienced Engineer (Principal or Staff) – Pipeline to lead complex engineering projects that support safe, reliable, and efficient operations. This role applies deep technical expertise to guide large-scale initiatives, develop practical solutions, influence project outcomes, mentor technical professionals, and strengthen engineering standards and practices across the business. Placement at the Staff or Principal level will be based on qualifications, experience, technical expertise, and impact demonstrated.

Responsibilities • Lead complex engineering projects and technical initiatives with significant business impact.

• Develop and apply engineering standards, specifications, best practices, and innovative technical solutions.

• Provide technical recommendations that support safe, reliable, compliant, and cost-effective business outcomes.

• Collaborate across teams to support project execution, regulatory compliance, continuous improvement, and sound investment decisions.

• Communicate complex engineering concepts to internal and external stakeholders.

• Mentor engineers and provide technical guidance to support professional development.

• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications by Level

Staff Engineer Success in this role typically includes: • Serve as a recognized technical expert within one or more engineering disciplines.

• Independently lead complex projects with substantial business impact.

• Anticipate business and industry trends and recommend improvements to processes, technologies, and engineering practices.

Minimum Qualifications • Bachelor's Degree in Engineering from an accredited college or university; OR Bachelor's Degree in Engineering Technology in a relevant field with Professional Engineer (P.E.) licensure.

• Minimum 15 years of progressive engineering experience in the natural gas, petrochemical, energy, or related industry.

• Experience leading complex technical projects with strong knowledge of applicable standards, practices, and regulations.

Preferred Qualifications • Professional Engineer (P.E.) license.

• Project management experience.

• Master's Degree in Engineering or a related field.

Principal Engineer Success in this role typically includes: • Serve as a company-wide subject matter expert and recognized authority in a key engineering discipline.

• Independently lead complex projects with substantial business impact.

• Provide enterprise-level technical leadership for highly visible, high-risk, or business-critical initiatives.

• Influence engineering standards, organizational practices, long-term strategy, and business outcomes.

Minimum Qualifications • Bachelor's Degree in Engineering from an accredited college or university; OR Bachelor's Degree in Engineering Technology in a relevant field with Professional Engineer (P.E.) licensure.

• Professional Engineer (P.E.) license required.

• Minimum 20 years of engineering experience in the natural gas, petrochemical, energy, or related industry.

• Demonstrated expertise leading highly complex technical programs and influencing technical and organizational strategy.

Preferred Qualifications • Master's Degree in Engineering or a related field.

• Experience serving as a recognized industry expert or company-wide subject matter expert.

• Advanced knowledge of project controls, estimating, procurement, construction practices, and contract administration.

Pipeline Engineering Expertise • Provide Pipeline Engineering subject matter expertise and technical guidance to Project Execution teams.

• Apply industry codes, standards, Company Project Standards, and project execution strategies.

• Review engineering deliverables, procurement documents, and RFIs to support quality and timely resolution.

• Identify technical improvements that enhance project execution and operational performance.

Preferred Specialized Experience • 10+ years of work experience with complex, large diameter linear natural gas pipeline projects.

• 10+ years of work experience with FERC pipeline projects.

• Experience with routing/terrain analysis, constructability reviews, mechanical and material design, welding/NDT, hydro-testing, and general pipeline design.

• Experience with local/state/federal permitting for pipelines, including FERC 7c projects.    

• Experience with trenchless and geotechnical engineering and design .

• Advanced knowledge of engineering workflows, project lifecycles, design principles, and applicable standards.

• Ability to interpret engineering deliverables and apply construction, constructability, project controls, and estimating principles.

• Experience with procurement, contract administration, and commercial aspects of engineering projects.

• Strong business and financial acumen with the ability to balance technical and commercial considerations.

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Why Houston?   Big career opportunities in one of the world’s energy capitals, endless food spots and a diverse vibe—all without paying NYC or LA prices. Work hard, live better. Check out Houston.org to learn more.  

We invest in our people in ways that actually show up in your day-to-day, not just on paper. Our Total Rewards are built to support how you work, live, and plan for what’s next.

Here’s a look at what that means:

• Strong pay plus an annual incentive program • Hybrid work for most office roles, plus real flexibility in many field positions • Medical, dental, and vision coverage with options that fit your life, not the other way around • 401(k) with company match and an annual company contribution • Paid time off, including company and floating holidays •

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