ASU Operator

About Air Products and BHIG

Air Products is a global industrial gases company focused on driving innovation through its people and collective experience. The company develops solutions that support various industries, from aerospace to healthcare and large-scale production facilities. This role is with BHIG—Blue Hydrogen Industrial Gases, a regional development and investment joint venture between Saudi Aramco and Air Products Qudra. BHIG aims 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: ASU Operator

The ASU Operator will perform both field and Distributed Control System (DCS) operations for the Air Separation Unit (ASU) and common area facilities at the BHIG plant in Al Jubail, Eastern Province, Saudi Arabia. This is a full-time position requiring 5-10 years of experience. Reporting to the ASU Shift Supervisor, the operator will manage ASU and common area units, including Demineralized Water (DM), Cooling Tower (CT), and other ancillary units, with a high degree of autonomy.

Key Responsibilities

• Perform field and DCS operations for ASU and common area facilities, including DM, CT, and ancillary units.
• Prepare and implement safety work permits and LOTO procedures.
• Execute daily operational preventative maintenance activities.
• Assist maintenance and engineering teams in preparing and executing corrective maintenance activities.
• Operate the ASU and ancillary equipment, including water treatment units, according to Work Instruction Procedures.
• Manage the pipeline network for hydrogen, steam, and CO2 supply to customers, ensuring safe and efficient operations.
• Provide operational support and guidance during plant commissioning and maintain accurate document control and quality assurance.
• 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.
• Ensure compliance with process safety, Management of Change (MOC), and Operational Hazard Review (OHR) requirements.
• Operate the facility in compliance with environmental and regulatory requirements.
• Support maintenance and engineering teams in maintaining plant reliability through scheduled preventive maintenance and coordination of corrective maintenance.
• Participate in investigations and Root Cause Analysis to identify and implement sustainable corrective actions.
• Maintain customer communications to ensure demand rates are satisfied while maximizing facility efficiency and profitability.
• Train new operators and participate in board reviews for lower-level operators.

Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Chemical, Mechanical, or Chemical Process Operations is preferred. An associate technical degree (2-year certificate) may be considered based on extensive experience and demonstrated competence.
• A minimum of 6 years of experience in process plant operations, with demonstrated ASU knowledge.
• Proficiency in English, both speaking and writing.
• Strong commitment to employee involvement, team building, and diversity.
• Demonstrated interpersonal skills and ability to communicate effectively with operations, maintenance teams, and customers.
• Knowledge of local environmental, health, and safety requirements.
• Ability to achieve "Level 1 / Board Level" status within 2-4 years, with evaluation during the training period.

Work Environment and Expectations

The ASU Operator will work independently on shift as a fully contributing member of the operations team. This role requires a strong focus on safety, including adherence to the BHIG Basic Safety Practice program (Safety Work Permits, LOTO, Confined Space, etc.). Operators are expected to demonstrate a 4S culture in daily activities to maintain a positive work environment. The position may involve taking a leadership role in Turnarounds (TAR), outages, and start-ups, and potentially assisting in the commissioning of new sites in the region and training new hires.