Alireza Mohammadi
Senior Technical Director | VP Technology & Engineering
Den Haag,ZH
Summary
Senior Technology Executive with over 25 years of experience in engineering, technology development, and strategic leadership across petrochemical, gas processing, and bio-refinery sectors. Proven track record in driving strategic technology initiatives, focusing on decarbonization and renewable energy solutions. Has led the commercialization and deployment of innovative solutions in waste gasification, syngas cleaning, and chemical processes. As a VP of Technology and Senior Technical Director, has directed cross-functional teams to execute large-scale industrial projects, aligning technology roadmaps with business objectives to enhance operational efficiency and market expansion. Experienced in managing complex projects from conception to execution, engaging stakeholders, and mitigating risks, with a focus on delivering tailored, regulatory-compliant, and sustainable solutions that meet client needs. I promote innovation and continuous improvement to drive long-term business growth and support the transition to greener energy solutions..
Overview
2025
2025
years of professional experience
6
6
years of post-secondary education
4
4
Languages
Work History
Senior Technical Director
GIDARA Energy
1 2024 - Current
- Leading strategic technology initiatives with focus on decarbonization and green energy solutions, particularly in the gasification and syngas production sectors
- Engaging in high-level technical assessments for due diligence on HTW technology, establishing technology's TRL and readiness for deployment
- Providing oversight for key task force activities, including tool upgrades, process optimization studies, and cost-cutting measures
- Managing cross-functional teams to deliver on critical project milestones, ensuring alignment with customer objectives
- Supporting technology deployment and customer-focused initiatives, emphasizing innovative bio-fuel and Bio-Chemical solutions
- Ensuring smooth coordination across engineering disciplines for successful execution of GIDARA Energy’s technology roadmaps
- Acting as a senior advisor on technical matters, providing guidance to project teams and contributing to the company’s strategic growth in renewable energy
- Mentored junior team members, fostering professional growth and skill development.
- Optimized resource allocation, reducing overhead costs while maintaining project timelines.
- Implemented innovative technologies to enhance product performance and user experience.
- Delivered presentations to executive management, providing clear insights into project progress and outcomes.
- Fostered a culture of continuous improvement by encouraging open feedback channels among team members.
- Managed vendor relationships to secure timely delivery of products and services at competitive pricing.
- Conducted comprehensive risk assessments to identify potential issues and develop mitigation strategies proactively.
- Led cross-functional teams for successful product launches and system upgrades.
- Oversaw budget planning and financial monitoring for multiple projects, ensuring cost-effectiveness throughout the process.
- Provided ongoing training and development for Technology and engineering staff.
- Collaborated with leadership staff to determine appropriate budgets.
- Assessed expected technical challenges and developed proactive solutions.
VP Technology
GIDARA Energy
01.2022 - Current
- Provided strategic leadership in technology development and deployment, ensuring alignment with business goals
- Led research and technology strategy for IP protection, application for new patents, monitoring program on competitors, active participation in conferences
- Led necessary supportive activities for management team and business development department
- Led technical negotiations with licensors and engineering contractors, securing optimal agreements for GIDARA Energy
- Supported integrating advanced technologies in bio-fuel and syngas processing, ensuring optimal configuration and pathway for commercial-scale application
- Prepared operational scenarios for the entire complex, ensuring efficient coordination between various technology units
- Conducted process improvements and led cost-saving initiatives across multiple projects, fostering efficiency in technology operations
- Led crucial activities for Licensing business, including preparing standard PDP and BEDP for standard sizes
- Coordinated preparation of technical annexes for License Agreements, including performance guarantees, and key procedures
- Coordinated technical discussions with key vendors/manufacturers for proprietary and mandatory equipment for the owned gasification technology
- Coordinated test campaigns on pilot scale for new types of feedstock
- Active participation in technology due diligence conducted by customers and financers
- Negotiated favorable contracts with vendors, securing advantageous terms for the company while maintaining strong professional relationships.
- Led the development of an expert and agile team by determining resource needs, conducting strategic interviews, and efficiently training new hires on best practices and protocols to optimize team performance.
- Led value engineering studies, conducting in-depth techno-economic analyses to identify and implement CAPEX and OPEX optimizations, driving significant cost savings and operational efficiency improvements.
- Established and maintained strong relationships with customers, vendors and strategic partners.
- Coordinated technical risk assessments, evaluating alternative mitigation strategies to minimize potential risks and ensure project reliability.
- Represented organization at industry conferences and events.
Engineering Manager / Director
G.I. Dynamics B.V.
11.2016 - 12.2021
- Led technical due diligence of HTW technology acquisition from ThyssenKrupp
- Coordinated basic engineering of the HTW Gasification plant and HTW Pilot Plant for the AMA project (Advanced Methanol Amsterdam)
- Engaged in the selection process of licensors for gas treatment and methanol units, performing technical and performance evaluations
- Coordinated the review of basic engineering deliverables for Syngas cleaning and Methanol units, provided by external licensors
- Oversaw the FEED engineering phase of the AMA project, with TR (Spain) leading the full-fledged FEED activities
- Delivered technical support for feasibility studies of bio-refinery complexes, guiding teams on project execution strategies
- Engineering manager of the PDP and basic engineering phases for bio-ethylene, ethylene oxide/ethylene glycol plants, overseeing design and feasibility assessments
- Actively participated in kick-off meetings, review meetings, and HAZOP & SIL sessions
- Focal person for AMA project RAM study performed by an external expert company
- Conducted value engineering and process improvements, implementing results in EO/EG plant design and utility units
- Provided conceptual and basic design for utility, offsite units, tank farm, and Co-Gen systems
- Studied alternatives for water supply (sea water vs well water), assessed water treatment methods, and produced comparison reports for various cooling systems
- Identified areas of improvement in existing systems, providing recommendations that resulted in significant cost savings over time.
- Managed risk assessments during project planning and execution phases, proactively mitigating potential issues.
- Led cross-functional teams for successful product development, ensuring timely delivery and adherence to specifications.
- Delivered progress reports to executive leadership, showcasing successful achievement of project milestones and presenting solutions for debottlenecking ongoing challenges.
Engineering Manager / Director
ThinkXpert
06.2012 - 11.2016
- Bushehr Petrochemical projects (Methanol and EO/EG); PMC for mega projects EPCs
- Led technical negotiations with licensors for major process units, ensuring alignment with project objectives and technical requirements
- Provided comprehensive technical support for feasibility studies, contributing to the successful evaluation of project viability
- Reviewed and verified technical proposals from licensors, delivering detailed technology evaluation reports to guide decision-making
- Actively participated in key project phases (PDP, BE, DE), attending kick-off, HAZOP, and SIL meetings to ensure compliance with safety and operational standards
- Reviewed and approved key deliverables for the Methanol and EO/EG plants during basic and detailed engineering phases, ensuring adherence to technical specifications
- Coordinated interdisciplinary communication, facilitating document checks and ensuring seamless collaboration between clients and vendors
- Verified technical offers from vendors for critical equipment packages (e.g., Reformer, Waste Heat Boiler, HRU), conducting technical discussions with both local and international vendors
- Provided engineering oversight on project schedules, assessing plans from contractors, vendors, and internal teams to ensure timely delivery
- Directed conceptual studies for utility systems, including water treatment, steam production and distribution, ASU, and cooling systems, to meet project requirements
- Managed day-to-day operations, including progress high-level monitoring, work assignments, bidder negotiations, and consulting with senior management and the project owner on key decisions
- Enhanced overall team productivity with continuous training and mentoring of junior engineers.
- Evaluated project requirements to identify and mitigate risks.
Manager Process Engineering
Sazeh Consultants
06.2009 - 06.2012
- Kermanshah HDPE Project (EPC Scope)
- Actively participated in kick-off and BE review meetings at Licensor office in Germany and Italy
- Reviewed process engineering documents from the licensor, ensuring alignment with project specifications
- Developed detailed manhour estimates for process department deliverables, coordinating work scopes and resource allocation for project execution
- Led the development of detailed engineering documents, including operating manuals based on licensor and vendor data, to ensure seamless plant operation
- Participated in the preparation of detailed P&IDs, cause and effect diagrams, data sheets for critical equipment, and performed hydraulic calculations for pumps
- Led the conceptual and basic engineering design for utility units, optimizing plant efficiency and reliability
- Performed optimized mass and energy balances for utility systems, including steam, power, cooling water, and service water demand calculations
- Prepared essential engineering documents, such as Basis of Design, BFDs, PFDs, UFDs, process descriptions, integrated interlock descriptions, and material selection diagrams for utility units, including cooling systems, water treatment, and the Co-Gen system
- Contributed to the technical bid evaluation (TBE) process for long-lead equipment, ensuring thorough analysis of vendor offers
- Participated in the development and preparation of plot plans for the process plant and utility units, aligning with project layout requirements
- Coordinated HAZOP teams during detailed engineering, while actively participating in SIL and value engineering meetings to enhance project safety and cost efficiency
Senior Process Engineer
NIPC Design Centre
05.2003 - 06.2009
- Designer for Tank Farm, Ethylene Pipeline, and Utility Projects + PMC Role for Multiple Petrochemical Projects
- Reviewed and approved basic engineering documents for Pardis Co.’s Ammonia Plant (M.W Kellogg technology, 680 KT/y), ensuring accuracy across data sheets, PFDs, P&IDs, and cause & effect (C&E) diagrams
- Served as technical supervisor for Zagros Methanol Plants (Lurgi Technology, 1650 KT/y), overseeing basic and detailed engineering documents, site mechanical installation, and participating in handover procedures, pre-commissioning, and commissioning
- Led detailed process design for a medium-scale GTL plant, developing P&IDs, data sheets, material requisitions, and verifying bidder documents for long-lead equipment
- Contributed in preparing BEP for the 'Mobin Central Utility Complex,' including the HRSG/power plant and the sea water intake and desalination plant (MED type), optimizing utility infrastructure
- Contributed in BE for distribution grids, covering feed, product, and utility services, including operating modes, hydraulic calculations, PFDs, UFDs, and P&ID preparation for various systems
- Participated in the basic and detailed design of Pars Port Export Jetties, preparing data sheets for loading arms, pig launchers/receivers, drain drums, and designing operational scenarios for import/export, line emptying, and cold recirculation
- Contributed to layout planning for new projects, ensuring optimal spatial and operational efficiency
- Led basic and detailed engineering design for Central and West Ethylene Pipelines (1000 km and 1500 km, respectively), managing the project's pipeline infrastructure from concept to execution
- Managed the basic engineering package (BEP) for the Assaluyeh petrochemical zone centralized tank farm, which included 52 large tanks, export pumps, and piping, ensuring efficient storage and transportation infrastructure
Control Room Supervisor / Shift Supervisor
POLYNAR Petrochemical Co.
09.2000 - 05.2003
- Polypropylene Production Plant: Began with extensive training at BIPC (Bandar Imam Petrochemical Co.) and ARAK Polypropylene Plants for four months, gaining in-depth technical knowledge
- Ensured safe and stable operations during each shift by supervising and coordinating plant personnel during normal operations, startups, shutdowns, and major operational changes
- Monitored and enforced safe operating procedures among operators during scheduled tasks to ensure compliance with safety protocols
- Coordinated plant operations with feed and utility supply from off-site battery limits (OSBL) to maintain continuous and stable production
- Liaised with maintenance personnel for routine equipment inspections and troubleshooting, ensuring smooth operation and preventive maintenance
- Verified operating logs to ensure accurate and timely documentation of critical data and operational performance metrics
- Supervised and analyzed key parameters for feed, product, chemicals, and solvents to ensure product quality met specification standards, based on scheduled reports from the laboratory
- Actively participated in regular coordination meetings to align operations with broader plant goals and maintenance schedules
- Ensured seamless shift transitions by overseeing the proper handover process and briefing incoming operational teams on plant conditions
- Supervised the issuance of work permits for maintenance activities, ensuring safety compliance during regular and non-routine maintenance work
- Performed various additional daily and periodic activities critical to plant performance and safety
Education
M.Sc. - Chemical Engineering (Reactor Design)
Sharif University of Technology (SUT)
01.1998 - 01.2000
B.Sc. - Chemical Engineering (Petrochemical Engineering)
Arak Azad University
01.1993 - 01.1997
Skills
Gasification
Syngas Cleaning
Methanol
EO/EG
Ethanol to Ethylene
HDPE
PP technologies
petrochemical
gas processing
conceptual design
basic design
detailed design
utility systems
technical due diligence
project management
FEED engineering
EPC contractor
process optimization
cost-saving initiatives
multi-disciplinary teams
leadership skills
stakeholder engagement
strategic vision
Training
- Soft skills; Delegations, time management, team working
- VCA Full (got certificate)
- PMP (Project Management Professional) complete Course
- Operational training in Arak (Iran) Petrochemical Complex, Bandar Imam Petrochemical Complex. (BIPC, Iran) and Jam (Iran) Petrochemical Complex for Olefin, PP and PE plants
- Operational training in Zagros Petrochemical Co. for Methanol plants (Lurgi Technology)
- Heat Recovery Steam Generator Boiler Design (Foster Wheeler Technology)
- Aspen Hysys simulation courses
- Shell & Tube Heat Exchangers design courses (HTRI)
- Safety Aspects in Oil Industries course
- Water Treatment Methods course
- Process Equipment Sizing courses and training to use sizing spreadsheets
- MBA workshop
- MS office complete apps
- AutoCAD
- Others
Rewards
- 2005, Selected as the top employee in the NIPC and received a reward.
- Top graduated at MS course.
Timeline
VP Technology
GIDARA Energy
01.2022 - Current
Engineering Manager / Director
G.I. Dynamics B.V.
11.2016 - 12.2021
Engineering Manager / Director
ThinkXpert
06.2012 - 11.2016
Manager Process Engineering
Sazeh Consultants
06.2009 - 06.2012
Senior Process Engineer
NIPC Design Centre
05.2003 - 06.2009
Control Room Supervisor / Shift Supervisor
POLYNAR Petrochemical Co.
09.2000 - 05.2003
M.Sc. - Chemical Engineering (Reactor Design)
Sharif University of Technology (SUT)
01.1998 - 01.2000
B.Sc. - Chemical Engineering (Petrochemical Engineering)
Arak Azad University
01.1993 - 01.1997
Senior Technical Director
GIDARA Energy
1 2024 - Current