Sr. Systems Administrator - Materials Engineering Design

At Motiva, our employees’ energy, passion, and dedication to excellence are what make us who we are and what allows us to generate energy that makes a house a home, gets us from point A to point B, and enables our health and wellbeing. We invest in every aspect of our employees’ lives because, at Motiva, our people matter.

Headquartered in Houston, Texas, Motiva refines, distributes and markets petroleum products throughout the Americas. The company’s Port Arthur Manufacturing Complex in Port Arthur, TX, is comprised of North America’s largest refinery with a total throughput of 720,000 barrels per day, the largest base oil plant in the western hemisphere, and an integrated chemical plant. Under exclusive long-term brand licenses with Shell and Phillips 66 (for the 76® brand), Motiva’s commercial operations supply more than 12 billion gallons of fuel to customers annually. Motiva is wholly owned by Aramco, one of the world’s largest integrated energy and chemicals companies.

Position Overvie w:

The Sr. Systems Administrator, Materials Engineering Design reports to the Manager, Engineering Design Technology and serves as Motiva’s corporate subject matter expert for the Smart Reference Data (SRD) specification, SmartPlant 3D (S3D) design environment, and Smart Materials (SPMAT) application. This role is responsible for the governance, maintenance, and continuous improvement of engineering specifications and design standards that support the safe, reliable, and efficient operation of Motiva’s facilities.

As the enterprise leader for SRD, S3D, and SPMAT, the position establishes both the strategic direction and day-to-day administration of these systems. The role ensures the integrity and accuracy of corporate engineering specification data across SRD, S3D, CADWorx, and related applications, supporting piping, electrical, cable tray, civil/structural, and other engineering disciplines.

Key responsibilities include maintaining the corporate S3D seed file utilized by EPC contractors, validating and testing line classes prior to release, and overseeing line class development performed by High Value Engineering Center (HVEC) resources through Motiva-managed work orders. The position also develops engineering and software standards, user guides, and system requirements that support project execution, construction activities, and ongoing operations and maintenance.

In addition, the Senior Systems Administrator leads or supports software upgrades, system enhancements, end-user training, troubleshooting, and technical support activities to ensure the effective utilization and long-term sustainability of Motiva’s engineering design technology systems. Through these efforts, the role contributes to improved project execution, standardized engineering practices, and enhanced operational performance across the enterprise.

This is an in-office position located at Motiva’s corporate headquarters in Downtown Houston, Texas. Employees work onsite Monday through Thursday and follow a 9/80 work schedule, providing every other Friday off.

Responsibilities:

• •Develop, maintain, and govern corporate engineering specifications within SRD, including piping, electrical conduit, cable trays, cables, pipe supports, and civil/structural components.
• •Conduct technical reviews of specification data to ensure compliance with Motiva Engineering Standards, industry codes, constructability requirements, and cost considerations.
• •Generate management reports and analytics to support engineering, procurement, and project decision-making.
• •Administer and maintain vendor material data used for engineering specifications and materials selection.
• •Configure, customize, and optimize the SRD application environment.
• •Develop project-specific specification export reports using Oracle Report Builder.
• •Create and maintain SRD class libraries and custom applications utilizing VB.NET.
• •Evaluate and recommend material substitutions based on inventory availability, market conditions, and project requirements.
• •Serve as Motiva’s primary S3D Administrator and technical authority.
• •Maintain and govern the corporate S3D seed file used by EPC contractors, ensuring alignment with current specifications, catalog content, and engineering standards.
• •Validate, test, and approve line classes prior to release for project execution.
• •Maintain and enhance the S3D catalog and reference data supporting engineering design activities.
• •Develop and manage S3D test environments, custom reports, and supporting applications.
• •Design and maintain VB.NET utilities and services to optimize catalog and database management.
• •Oversee integration and synchronization of specification data between SRD, S3D, and related engineering applications.
• •Develop, prioritize, assign, and track work orders executed by the High Value Engineering Center (HVEC).
• •Review and approve contractor-developed deliverables to ensure technical accuracy and compliance with Motiva standards before release.
• •Manage HVEC workload, priorities, and schedules to support project execution objectives.
• •Serve as Motiva’s SPMAT Administrator.
• •Configure and support project implementations, including requisitioning, procurement workflows, and integration with engineering and business systems.
• •Support materials management processes to improve project execution and data accuracy.
• •Establish and maintain quality assurance and quality control processes for engineering specifications, line classes, catalogs, and system databases.
• •Administer database governance and change management processes for SRD, S3D, and SPMAT environments.
• •Develop and maintain system documentation, user guides, standards, procedures, and software requirements specifications.
• •Support project teams by providing technical expertise related to engineering specifications, design systems, and materials management.
• •Collaborate with EPC contractors, engineering teams, and stakeholders to ensure consistent application of corporate standards.
• •Participate in audits, assessments, and continuous improvement initiatives focused on data quality and system performance.
• •Develop automation solutions that improve data entry, validation, reporting, and workflow efficiency.
• •Manage software licensing, infrastructure requirements, and system performance as applicable.
• •Monitor industry developments and maintain expertise in piping materials, engineering standards, and design technologies.

Experience and Qualifications:

Required Education and Experience:

• •Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or a related engineering discipline from an accredited institution.
• •15+ years of experience in chemical, petrochemical, refining, or oil and gas industries.
• •Hexagon Smart Reference Data (SRD) Administration and Advanced User certification or equivalent training.
• •Demonstrated experience administering, configuring, and customizing Smart Reference Data.
• •Demonstrated experience administering SmartPlant 3D, including seed file, catalog, and reference data management.
• •Strong understanding of engineering project workflows from concept development through commissioning and start-up.
• •Experience managing engineering specifications across multi-office or global workshare environments.
• •Knowledge of piping design, fabrication, supply chain processes, and materials management.
• •Extensive knowledge of piping materials, specifications, codes, standards, and pipe support design principles.
• •Ability to perform engineering calculations and develop specification requirements.
• •Proficiency with Oracle Database, SQL Developer, Oracle Report Builder, and VB.NET development.
• •Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to influence, guide, and provide direction to internal and external stakeholders.

Preferred Education and Experience:

• •Training and/or certification in Hexagon SmartPlant 3D (S3D) and CADWorx.
• •Experience imp