About this role
Reliability / Compression Engineer
Direct Hire | Natural Gas / Midstream | 2530% Regional Travel Were looking for a Reliability / Compression Engineer to support natural gas compressor stations across a regional pipeline network. This is a great opportunity for an engineer who enjoys a mix of hands-on field work, troubleshooting, equipment reliability, controls, and engineering analysis. Youll work directly with operations, maintenance, controls, and project teams to improve compressor performance, prevent equipment failures, reduce downtime, and support new installations and upgrades. Youll also receive structured training and work alongside experienced reliability professionals as you get up to speed.
📍 Location Options
Candidates may be based near several operating locations: Kansas
- Wichita
- Emporia
- Lyons
- Hesston
- Ottawa
- Tonganoxie
- Kansas City area
Missouri
- Joplin
- Other Southern Star operating locations
Oklahoma
- Edmond
- Blackwell
- Woodward
- Other regional locations
Additional Southern Star locations may also be considered, excluding Owensboro for this particular opening.
What Youll Do
- Monitor and evaluate natural gas compressors, engines, turbines, and auxiliary equipment
- Analyze equipment performance, failure history, alarms, maintenance records, and reliability KPIs
- Identify potential equipment issues before they result in outages or downtime
- Lead and support root cause analysis and equipment failure investigations
- Troubleshoot compressor, mechanical, electrical, and control system issues in both the office and field
- Develop preventive and predictive maintenance strategies
- Support equipment installation, testing, commissioning, startup, and optimization
- Work with PLCs, SCADA systems, alarms, signals, ladder logic, and shutdown interlocks
- Partner closely with operations, maintenance, engineering, controls, IT, contractors, and equipment vendors
- Support capital projects, equipment upgrades, redesigns, and reliability improvement initiatives
- Review engineering drawings, equipment specifications, designs, and contractor work
- Prepare technical reports and recommendations for leadership
- Travel to compressor stations to troubleshoot equipment and support commissioning and startup activities
- Perform minimal AutoCAD 2D drafting, approximately 510% of the position
What Were Looking For
Required:
- Bachelors degree in Engineering from an ABET-accredited program, preferably Mechanical, Electrical, or Automation Engineering
- 3+ years of compressor station project experience, including installation and commissioning
- Knowledge of 2-cycle, 4-cycle, and/or turbine engines
- Understanding of natural gas compression equipment and supporting auxiliary systems
- Experience with or strong knowledge of PLCs and industrial controls
- Ability to analyze equipment data and troubleshoot mechanical or controls-related issues
- Experience with root cause analysis, failure investigations, or reliability engineering
- Strong communication and technical writing skills
- Willingness to travel approximately 2530%, primarily regional day trips with occasional overnight travel
Preferred Experience:
- FE/EIT certification
- PLC programming, SCADA, or automation experience
- OSI PI or similar equipment analytics/asset performance software
- Hands-on experience with industrial engines and compressors
- Ladder logic and control system troubleshooting
- Pipeline, midstream, natural gas transmission, piping, or petroleum experience
- Familiarity with 49 CFR Part 192, OSHA requirements, and natural gas transmission standards
- AutoCAD 2D experience
Why This Opportunity?
This is a direct-hire, salaried position offering a strong combination of technical engineering work and hands-on field exposure. You wont be sitting behind a desk all day. Youll have the opportunity to see equipment firsthand, investigate failures, work with field teams, and make recommendations that directly improve the reliability of a major natural gas system.
What You Can Expect
- Direct-hire opportunity
- MondayFriday schedule, generally 7:00/7:30 a.m. to 3:30/4:00 p.m.
- Approximately 2530% regional travel
- Primarily day trips with occasional overnight stays
- Company vehicle provided
- Company phone, IT equipment, tools, and credit card
- Field-related expenses covered
- Potential relocation assistance, depending on location and circumstances
- Structured technical training and ramp-up
- Opportunity to work alongside an experienced Reliability Engineer and Reliability Specialist
- Mix of engineering analysis, troubleshooting, project work, and hands-on field experience
- Opportunity to become a technical resource for compressor station reliability and performance
Great Fit for Someone Who
Enjoys solving complex equipment problems, working around industrial machinery, analyzing data, and getting into the field to understand what is actually happening with the equipment. This role is especially well suited for engineers coming from natural gas, midstream, pipeline, compression, rotating equipment, reliability, controls/automation, or industrial maintenance engineering who want a long-term opportunity with both technical depth and field exposure.
Job Type & Location
This is a Permanent position based out of Owensboro, KY.
Pay and Benefits
The pay range for this position is $80000.00 - $145000.00/yr. Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors. Benefits Overview
We believe great work deserves great rewards. In exchange for your passion and expertise, we provide a benefits package that supports your well-being and growth in all aspects of life.
Medical
Vision
Dental
Supplemental Life Insurance
Dependent Life Insurance
Flexible Spending Account
Wellness Programs
Service Awards
Educational Reimbursement
Fitness Reimbursement
Holidays
Paid Time Off
Parental & Maternity Leave
401K
Workplace Type
This is a fully onsite position in Owensboro,KY.
Application Deadline
This position is anticipated to close on Oct 21, 2026. About Actalent
Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.
The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without
regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability,
sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected
by law.
If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or
adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability,
please email [email protected] for other accommodation options.
San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance:
Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the
city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants
with arrest and conviction records.
Massachusetts Lie Detector:
It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a
condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law
shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.
Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI):
We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process,
including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications
and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you
acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.