Turnaround Mechanical Planner

Job Title: Turnaround Mechanical Planner

Job Description

The Turnaround Mechanical Planner supports a refinery in Superior, WI by leading the detailed mechanical planning of turnaround activities from initial scope validation through work package development and execution support. This role ensures that all mechanical work is clearly defined, safely planned, and optimized for efficient execution during major turnaround events. The planner collaborates closely with operations, engineering, inspection, and contractors to create comprehensive job plans and support field execution.

Responsibilities

• Conduct field walkdowns with operations and other personnel to confirm scope, verify site conditions, and capture all mechanical work requirements.
• Develop complete, execution-ready turnaround work packages that include detailed job steps, required resources, and safety considerations.
• Prepare and input job plans into planning systems, including IPS, ensuring accurate bills of materials (BOM), energy isolation lists (EIL), and supporting documentation.
• Coordinate with bag and tag teams, engineering, inspection, and external contractors to manage material requisitions, clarify piping specifications, and validate estimated labor hours.
• Participate in readiness reviews and scope validation meetings to align work plans with overall turnaround schedules and budgets.
• Support turnaround execution by clarifying job details for field teams, assisting with issue resolution, and adjusting plans as conditions change.
• Manage closure book activities, ensuring that documentation, records, and lessons learned from the turnaround are complete and organized.
• Plan and coordinate change orders during execution, ensuring changes are properly documented, resourced, and integrated into the overall schedule.
• Contribute to continuous improvement by documenting lessons learned and updating reusable, equipment-specific planning templates for future events.
• Collaborate with schedulers using tools such as Primavera P6 to align mechanical plans with the overall turnaround schedule.

Essential Skills

• Minimum 5 years of mechanical turnaround planning experience in turnarounds, outages, or shutdowns.
• Strong mechanical technical knowledge across multiple disciplines, including piping, fixed equipment, and rotating equipment.
• Proven ability to read and interpret P&IDs, isometric drawings, plot plans, equipment drawings, and technical specifications.
• Experience preparing detailed job plans and work packages in planning systems, including use of IPS or similar tools.
• Ability to develop accurate bills of materials (BOM) and energy isolation lists (EIL) for mechanical work.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to collaborate effectively with operations, engineering, inspection, and contractors.
• Demonstrated teamwork skills and the ability to work constructively within a multi-disciplinary turnaround team.
• Highly organized, consistent work habits with the ability to visualize and plan complex work scopes.
• Maturity to accept and apply constructive feedback to improve planning quality and collaboration.
• Physical ability to climb towers and access elevated or confined areas as required for field walkdowns and scope validation.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience with IPS planning software.
• Proficiency with MS Office applications, including Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.
• Experience using Primavera P6 or similar scheduling tools in turnaround or project environments.
• Bachelor's degree preferred.
• Turnaround or outage experience in refinery settings is highly desirable.
• Experience coordinating with external contractors for materials, specifications, and labor validation.
• Familiarity with bag and tag processes and closure book management.
• Ability to document lessons learned and maintain reusable planning templates for continuous improvement.

Work Environment

This is an onsite role based at a refinery in Superior, WI. The position is structured as a 1-year contract with the possibility of extension. The standard work schedule is 40 hours per week during planning phases. During turnaround execution, currently planned for 2028, the individual will be expected to work an intensive schedule of 7 days per week with 13-hour shifts (7-13s). The environment is industrial and field-based, requiring regular visits to operating units, climbing towers, and working around process equipment. The role involves extensive use of planning tools such as IPS and scheduling software like Primavera P6, as well as standard office applications including Excel, Word, and PowerPoint. Local candidates are preferred, but non-local candidates will be considered and may be eligible for a per diem. The culture emphasizes safety, collaboration, and continuous improvement, with close coordination among operations, engineering, inspection, and contractor teams to deliver safe and efficient turnaround events.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract position based out of Houston, TX.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $72.00 - $87.00/hr.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following:

• Medical, dental & vision
• Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital
• 401(k) Retirement Plan - Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available
• Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
• Short and long-term disability
• Health Spending Account (HSA)
• Transportation benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Houston,TX.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on May 29, 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 30,000 consultants and more than 4,500 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500.

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 actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com 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.