Project Development Manager

About Aster

Aster Chemicals and Energy (Aster) is a leading provider of chemical and energy solutions in Singapore and Southeast Asia. Aster is a joint venture led by Chandra Asri in partnership with Glencore Group. Building on the foundations of Singapore’s first oil refinery, our facilities on Pulau Bukom and Jurong Island serve as the nation’s hub for integrated refining and petrochemical production. Aster Bukom operates a 237,000 barrels per day refinery and a 1.1 million tonne per year ethylene cracker, while Aster Jurong Island produces essential petrochemicals that support industries across the region.

With over 60 years of heritage, Aster is shaping the future by driving progress and creating new opportunities for our people.  From advancing energy solutions to driving petrochemical innovation, we welcome you to join us in our journey that reflects our commitment to sustainability and operational excellence in an evolving industry landscape.

Together, we can achieve more—come be a part of it.

About the job

We are seeking a creative, proactive, and technically astute Front-End Development Project Engineer to join our team in shaping the future of integrated refinery and chemical complexes. This position is ideal for a self-driven professional with deep experience in refinery processes, EPCM project environments, and a passion for decarbonisation and sustainable design.

You will play a pivotal role in early-phase project development, acting as both a process integrator and a technical contributor, ensuring that process inputs are seamlessly embedded into project scopes and aligned with long-term energy transition goals.

Job Responsibilities:

• Lead and coordinate front-end development (Front-End Loading phases, FEL-1 to FEL-3) for complex refinery and petrochemical projects.
• Provide strategic process engineering input to feasibility studies, concept selection, and early design.
• Act as a process integrator, ensuring cross-functional alignment between process, mechanical, and project teams.
• Drive decarbonisation strategies by identifying opportunities for energy efficiency, emissions reduction, and integration of low-carbon technologies.
• Challenge conventional design standards and advocate for fit-for-purpose solutions that optimize cost, performance, and sustainability.
• Collaborate with EPCM (Engineering, Procurement, and Construction Management.) partners, licensors, and internal stakeholders to define and refine project scopes.
• Develop and review key deliverables including Process Flow Diagram, Heat and Material balances, Piping and Instrumentation Diagram, and process simulations.
• Participate in Hazard and Operability Study (HAZOPs), risk assessments, and value engineering workshops.
• Work independently and efficiently in a fast-paced, multi-disciplinary environment.
• Support cost estimation, scheduling, and project planning with accurate technical inputs.
• Mentor junior engineers and foster a culture of innovation and continuous improvement.

Job requirements:

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Chemical Engineering or related field.
• 15+ years of experience in refinery and petrochemical process engineering, with a focus on integrated complexes.
• Strong background in front-end project development within EPCM frameworks.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and take initiative in complex project environments.
• Deep understanding of refinery unit operations and chemical process integration.
• Familiarity with process simulation tools (e.g., Aspen HYSYS, PRO/II).
• Knowledge of industry standards (API, ASME, NFPA) and process safety methodologies.
• Experience contributing to or leading decarbonisation initiatives is highly desirable.

Preferred Attributes:

• Chartered Engineer or Professional Engineer (PE) certification.
• Experience with digital tools and data-driven decision-making in process design.
• Strong communication and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Passion for innovation, sustainability, and the energy transition.

Work Location: Bukom

We thank you for your interest. Kindly note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for a discussion.