Theodora Lengowski Process Engineer BP - Carson Refinery Current Role As Optimization Manager, I am responsible for a group of 40 engineers who support the actual operation of the refinery. Their work includes troubleshooting equipment problems, designing control systems, selecting crude oils and preparing product blends. College graduates are hired directly into our group. Education Education doesn’t stop with a degree. Every year I attend seminars to help me improve my leadership and communication skills. I’ve also taken finance and technical classes to help improve my skills as an engineer. Interesting Roles and Experiences Next I moved into leadership roles. I’ve managed operating groups whose units made gasoline, diesel and jet fuels, recovered sulfur and cleaned water. In another management role I was responsible for the operation of a Power Plant (It’s product could supply the daily electrical needs of the city of Long Beach). These positions allowed me to move back to Washington and then to California. As a process design/plant startup engineer I spent four months in China training operators on the startup of an LPG plant. This plant received and distributed butane and propane fuels that were used to cook and heat homes. For the bulk of the time I worked only with people whose second language was English. Between the cultural and the communication challenges this was both the most demanding and rewarding opportunity of my career. Engineering as a Career |
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