Mechanical Specialist

Mechanical Specialist

Position Identification

Job Summary

Reporting to the Asset Integrity Superintendent, the Mechanical Specialist is responsible for ensuring that the availability and reliability programs for all static and rotating mechanical plant equipment are executed as per schedule. The position plays a key role in the execution of the facility's Static and Rotating Equipment Asset Assurance Program. The Mechanical Specialist is also responsible for key Asset Improvement implementation initiatives and as such is expected to provide Engineering oversight for mechanical projects, equipment overhauls, upgrades, and replacement within the Organization. All activities are expected to be conducted safely, cost-effectively, and reliably and must be delivered in a manner that consistently adds value to PPGPL's overall business process. The position is also required to provide related support to the group of companies, its subsidiaries and new business ventures as required.

Dimensions

The Mechanical Specialist provides technical oversight and support to the Inspection and Reliability Team and the wider Maintenance Department to help ensure the availability and reliability of all equipment in support of sustaining targeted high levels of reliability and availability for Facility Operations.

The position is required to oversee planning and execution related to the job function such as short- and long-term planning, strategic planning, manpower resource planning. Technical advice is available at the level of the Asset Integrity Superintendent. The position must also demonstrate strong safety and environmental leadership within the job function.

Individual’s Safety Responsibility

It is the responsibility of each employee to protect oneself as well as fellow workers from injury. Work shall be conducted according to established safe practices and procedures. Please refer to PPGPL’s Safety Manual. Understanding of major functions within the plant and the ability to work directly with all levels and functions.

Nature & Scope

The Mechanical Specialist is responsible for ensuring the reliability programs for all plant assets - static and rotating mechanical equipment are updated and executed as per schedule. The position plays a key role in the execution of the facility's Rotating Equipment Asset Assurance Program. The Mechanical Specialist also oversees key Asset Improvement initiatives and as such is expected to provide Engineering oversight, under the technical guidance of the Asset Integrity Superintendent for major maintenance and other mechanical projects within the Organization.

Key metrics of the function are to deliver best in class reliability and plant availability as a differentiating strategy. The maintenance function is essentially an enabler to achieving the Operations Department’s Strategic Management Plan (Operations Excellence initiatives) and by extension the Organization’s Strategic Management Plan.

The position must evidence strong process safety leadership, sound interpersonal, advanced technical skills and, experience and capability in coordinating the activities of the Reliability personnel of the plant and in the planning, organizing, monitoring and the development and implementation of a sound proactive maintenance philosophy for the Plant’s assets.

The incumbent must possess the ability to develop Maintenance Operating and Capital (Capex) Expenditure budgets, AFE’s, economic analyses and cost justifications for maintenance projects; internal maintenance audit systems; obsolescence management; cost control, design and implementation on major and minor maintenance projects and turnarounds; actively participate in risk assessments; PHA activities and audits.

The position reviews and provides inputs into developing the philosophy to be used in the organizing of Inspection and Reliability schedules, plans, and monitors and participates as required in the implementation of Inspection and Reliability activities for all plant rotating assets.

The Mechanical Specialist coordinates the work of contractors and plant technicians where applicable. The position interfaces internally with  all Maintenance Groups Processing, Technical Services, Operations Improvement, Engineering, Supply Chain Management, Finance, Technology & Risk, Talent and Culture Transformation, Business and Market Development, Health, Safety, Security and Sustainability and externally with contractors, manufacturers, suppliers, Engineering & Maintenance consultants, EPC contractors and local/foreign industry personnel and equipment OEMs. 

It is also imperative that the incumbent participate in and encourage the use of accepted Safety programs and initiatives that are instilled in the Company’s policies, procedures and, as an extension, the safety culture.

Duties & Responsibilities:

1. Leads, develops, and implements equipment preventive, condition-based monitoring, and reliability engineering programs (lubrication, vibration, thermography, etc.).
2. Responsible for ensuring Root Cause Failure Analysis (RCFAs) are conducted on all failed components, prepares a report and presentation on lessons learned and recommendations for upgrade which ensures learnings are incorporated to ensure improved asset reliability.
3. Provides reliability and machinery diagnostic traffic light reports and oversight to support all major projects within the Maintenance Group. Prepares reports, analyzes data; makes recommendations for improving plant operations and solving maintenance-related problems. Prepares reliability reports based on completed work, inspections, list of bad actors, tracks MTBF, MTTR, and other relevant KPIs.
4. Develops technical specifications, scope of works, bid packages, analyses bids, and prepares recommendations of award for major maintenance and reliability contracts.
5. Initiates and carries out projects that improve efficiency and / or reduce operating costs. Proposes upgrades, repair, and replacement plans for rotating equipment.
6. Participates as an evaluator (subject to the review of the Asset Integrity Superintendent) in the granting of Management of Change (MOC) requests for plant modifications.
7. Assists with the facility Turnaround (Shutdown) Planning & Execution as well as participates in construction, commissioning and start-up planning and preparation. Develops turnaround/outage inspection plans inclusive of related Scopes of Work, contractor management and evaluations.
8. Organizes and liaises with professional consultants and OEMs for specific reliability and machinery diagnostic services, troubleshooting equipment issues. Consults with subject matter experts to provide input for the development and implementation of programs with regard to equipment long term planning such as end of life and repair or replace decisions for plant equipment and assets.
9. Monitors the operation of plant equipment and systems to minimize unplanned downtime, anticipates and solves problems in a timely manner, and identifies opportunities for improvement.
10. Monitors the application of established engineering policies, procedures, and practices to ensure compliance with regulatory, industry, and/or operational standards. Also reviews specifications, procedures, drawings, etc.
11. Participates in plant trip assessment teams to determine the root cause of trips and provide recommendations.
12. Responsible for maintaining all reliability equipment current- software, license, hardware, spare parts, attachments, manuals, subscriptions, OEM bulletins, etc.
13. Leads an inhouse training program for reliability and rotating equipment.
14. Provides technical support for rotating equipment overhauls, repairs and replacement.

Job Specifications

Minimum Acceptable Academic Qualifications

A Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering or equivalent from an accredited tertiary institution.

The following certification will be an asset:

• Registered Engineer with the Board of Engineering

AND

Minimum Number of Years of Relevant Experience

Ten (10) years’ experience in Maintenance, Reliability, Machinery Diagnostic or Engineering function in the energy / natural gas sector, five (5) years of which should involve coordinating the work of technicians and contractors.

Specific Skills and Knowledge Requirements:

• Knowledge of oil/gas/petrochemical plant equipment
• Project Management skills
• Supervisory skills
• Experience in the design, repair, upgrade, replacement of rotating and static equipment
• Certified Vibration Analyst- Level 2 Minimum
• Certified Lubrication Analyst
• Laser Alignment training
• Turbomachinery training
• Maintenance Planning and Scheduling Training
• RCFA Trained
• Working knowledge of Compressors, Turboexpander and Gas Turbines
• Good understanding of the Industry Standards, related to Static & Rotating equipment (ASME/ANSI, API, ASTM, CSA)
• Familiarity with API 610, 616, 617, 689 & 691

Disclaimer

“The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel so classified”