Job Description

Overview

The Decoking Specialist is responsible for leading and supervising decoking operations, including planning, scheduling, and executing the removal of coke deposits from equipment and piping systems. This role involves providing technical guidance, ensuring compliance with safety protocols, and coordinating project leadership for new and rework equipment.

Responsibilities

  • Install pump units and related subsystems including motors, gearboxes, turbines, and oil supply systems.
  • Install and align decoking control valves, piping, pump control panels, and soft starters.
  • Assemble complete decoking equipment such as winches, drill stems, and instrumentation.
  • Inspect and verify customer equipment including coker tower beams and position switches.
  • Perform site-specific modifications for non-standardized decoking equipment.
  • Perform mechanical and electrical inspections of all installed components.
  • Execute functional tests of pump units and complete decoking equipment.
  • Conduct full system commissioning including pump performance testing.
  • Guide control system programmers in parameter optimization and troubleshooting.
  • Train customer personnel under real refinery operating conditions.
  • Diagnose and repair decoking components including pumps and valves.
  • Perform damage analysis, refurbishment, and functional validation.
  • Prepare technical inspection reports and explain results to customers.
  • Integrate non-standard equipment into existing decoking systems during revamps.
  • Plan and manage turnaround activities with internal teams or customers.
  • Conduct customer meetings and coordinate site activities in English.
  • Provide system demonstrations and long-term technical support.
  • Monitor customer requirements and report system improvements internally.

Requirements

  • Deep understanding of mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic, and electrical systems in refinery environments.
  • Ability to read P&IDs, electrical diagrams, and hydraulic schematics.
  • Strong analytical, diagnostic, and troubleshooting capabilities.
  • Expertise in operating and commissioning complex decoking systems.
  • High communication skills in English and ideally German.
  • Strong teamwork and customer service mindset.
  • Flexibility, independence, and readiness for high-intensity work environments.

How this job compares in Houston, TX

Pay in context

This employer didn't publish a rate. For reference, welding jobs in Houston, TX currently run a median of $32/hr in our index, with the middle half of them falling between $23–$41/hr across 75 postings with published pay. That median is a reasonable floor to anchor on when a recruiter asks what you're looking for.

The local market in Houston, TX

We're tracking 321 other active welding openings in Houston, TX right now, from 178 different employers. 80 of them were added in the last week. Across Texas as a whole we're tracking 1,132 other active welding openings from 497 employers. A metro this active generally means you have real leverage — employers here are competing for the same welders. Browse every welding job in Houston, or widen the search to Texas.

The most active employers in Texas at the moment, by number of open welding reqs, are Zachry Group (33), Austin Industries (30), and Welding Shop in Austin, TX (21). Volume like that usually means either a genuine expansion or a staffing agency working several client sites — worth knowing which before you apply.

Within Texas, the best-paying metros we track by median hourly rate are Arlington at $40/hr, Dallas at $39/hr, and Pasadena at $36/hr. If you can relocate or commute, that spread is worth factoring in.

Similar openings near Houston, TX

Pay figures are medians computed from live postings in the Welding Pros index, not from survey data, and they move as employers post. Decoking Specialist figures were last recalculated when this page was built.