HYCO Operator

About Air Products and BHIG

Air Products is a global leader in industrial gases, committed to driving innovation through its people and collective experience. The company focuses on creating solutions that support various sectors, from space exploration to healthcare and large-scale industrial facilities. This role is within BHIG—Blue Hydrogen Industrial Gases, a regional development and investment joint venture between Saudi Aramco and Air Products Qudra. BHIG leverages the strengths of both entities to advance industrial innovation and operational excellence in Saudi Arabia and the broader region, with a focus on low-carbon hydrogen production to support clean energy goals.

Role Overview: HYCO Operator

The HYCO Operator will report to the HYCO Shift Supervisor and is responsible for performing field and DCS operations independently at a world-scale HYCO Steam Methane Reformer facility. This full-time position is based in Al Jubail, Eastern Province, requiring 5-10 years of experience. The Operator L1 will execute daily tasks, including preparing and implementing safety work permits, LOTO procedures, and completing operational preventative maintenance activities. Additionally, the role involves assisting maintenance and engineering teams with corrective maintenance activities.

Key Responsibilities

• Maintain a safe work environment and demonstrate leadership in company and industry safe work processes, ensuring proper documentation for safety activities.
• Operate the HYCO Steam Methane Reformer, CO2 recovery units, and ancillary equipment, including water treatment units, according to Work Instruction Procedures.
• Manage the pipeline network for hydrogen, steam, and CO2 supply to customers, including oxygen and nitrogen pipeline products, safely and efficiently.
• Provide operational support and guidance during plant commissioning, maintaining accurate document control and monitoring quality assurance initiatives.
• Ensure compliance with process safety, MOC’s, OPHR requirements, and environmental/regulatory standards.
• Manage plant production efficiently based on input from Plant Management and Production Engineering to meet safety, reliability, and profitability targets.
• Report shift production progress and plant status to the Shift Supervisor, offering operational solutions for shortfalls.
• Support maintenance and engineering teams in maintaining plant reliability through preventive maintenance execution and coordination of corrective maintenance activities.
• Participate in investigations and Root Cause Analysis to identify and implement sustainable corrective actions.
• Facilitate operational excellence and customer satisfaction through productivity, reliability, quality, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Train new operators and participate in board reviews for lower-level operators.
• Assist in the startup and commissioning of new sites in the region and train newly hired workforces as needed.

Required Qualifications and Experience

• 5-10 years of experience in a relevant operational role.
• Expert-level knowledge in specified skills areas with multiple areas of responsibility.
• Solid technical knowledge of designated plant processes.
• Ability to demonstrate a 4S culture and practice it in day-to-day activities.
• Proficiency in writing SWIMs, JSAs, and other operational documentation.
• Capability to take a leadership role in TAR / Outages / Start-ups.
• In-depth knowledge of listed systems, demonstrated by completing a task list.

Work Environment and Expectations

The HYCO Operator will work independently on shifts as a fully contributing member of the operations team. This role requires a focus on activities such as Best Practice Coordinator or SWIM Coordinator. The position demands adherence to BHIG standards and global best practices for EH&S, productivity, reliability, quality, and overall customer service. Effective communication with other shifts is essential to maintain continuity for safe and reliable operations. The operator will also maintain customer communications at the board level to ensure demand rates are satisfied while maximizing facility efficiency and profitability.