Senior Technical Advisor – Aromatics Technology (Petrochemicals)

About the role

Our client, a leading petrochemical developer, is seeking a senior independent Technical Advisor to guide the owner’s team through technology selection, FEED, EPC, commissioning and start‑up of a world‑scale aromatics complex. The role involves close interaction with project leadership, licensors and regional stakeholders.

Key responsibilities

• Evaluate and benchmark competing aromatics technology licensor proposals (process guarantees, yields, catalyst performance, emissions, utility consumption).
• Lead technical clarification meetings and negotiations with licensors.
• Review FEED deliverables, process design basis documents, and support HAZOP/value‑engineering studies.
• Assess process integration opportunities across petrochemical and refinery interfaces, including mass and energy balances.
• Provide independent technical risk assessments and CAPEX/OPEX optimisation input.
• Support operational readiness, commissioning, start‑up and performance testing.
• Design and deliver structured training, mentoring and knowledge‑transfer programmes to build sustainable in‑house capability.

Required profile

• Minimum 20 years experience in refining/petrochemicals, with at least 10 years in aromatics technology.
• Track record on capital projects exceeding USD 500 million.
• Direct experience working with leading aromatics licensors.
• Strong FEED review and owner‑team advisory background.
• Commissioning/start‑up and operational support experience on aromatics facilities.
• Proven mentoring and capability‑development experience.
• Chemical Engineering degree; Chartered/Professional Engineer status desirable.
• Middle‑East experience an advantage.

Required skills

• Aromatics process technology (PX, benzene, toluene, mixed xylenes, extraction, fractionation, xylene isomerisation, TDP, transalkylation).
• FEED review and HAZOP/value‑engineering.
• CAPEX and OPEX optimisation.
• Process integration and mass/energy balancing.
• Technical risk assessment.
• Commissioning and start‑up of aromatics plants.
• Training, mentoring and knowledge transfer.

What we offer

• An influential, independent advisory role at the heart of a major greenfield petrochemical development.
• Genuine scope to shape technology outcomes and build lasting in‑country capability.