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Rotating Equipment and Maintenance Specialist Consultant

South America

Reliability and Maintenance Engineering

## BACKGROUND

The Reliability and Maintenance Engineering (RME) department encompasses various engineering disciplines, including Mechanical (rotating), Electrical, Electrical & Instrumentation (E&I), Automation, and predictive maintenance (PdM). With the focus on rotating equipment, additional support within the department is needed due to resource limitations as the existing team is stretched thin and unable to meet the demands of the workload. This is the result from a lack of personnel, specialized skills, and/or time to handle increasing tasks or projects. As a result, external support can help alleviate pressure, ensure deadlines are met, maintain quality standards, and prevent burnout within the team. This extra support ensures the department can continue to function efficiently and effectively without compromising performance or outcomes.

## OBJECTIVES

  • The objective is to acquire an expatriate (expat) for an extended period to support and build the skill level of the Rotating Equipment RME discipline while actively contributing to the department's planned goals and objectives by supporting and/or leading assigned projects.
  • The goal of the RME department is to optimize the performance, reliability, and lifespan of critical equipment while minimizing downtime and maintenance costs. This is achieved through strategic maintenance planning, proactive reliability measures, continuous improvement, and ensuring compliance with safety and operational standards. Ultimately, the department aims to support efficient operations, extend asset lifecycles, and enhance overall organizational productivity and profitability.

## SCOPE

As part of the RME team, the objective of the Rotating Equipment RME expat is to support the department with managing and optimizing the reliability and performance of rotating equipment, while also mentoring our engineers and collaborating with other teams to enhance operational efficiency. The Rotating Equipment RME Engineer specializes in the design, selection, operation, maintenance, and troubleshooting of machinery. This includes a wide array of critical assets like pumps, compressors, turbines, generators, fans, and blowers. The core purpose is to ensure the reliability, efficiency, and safety of these vital components within industrial processes, preventing costly downtime and optimizing performance. The role requires a deep understanding of engineering principles related to machine failures, often providing solutions that involve complex design modifications or advanced diagnostic techniques. The engineer will bridge the gap between design theory and practical application, ensuring that rotating assets perform optimally throughout their lifecycle.

## Core Duties

  • **Equipment Maintenance & Reliability**: Ensure rotating machines run efficiently and reliably through preventative and predictive maintenance programs.
  • **Troubleshooting & Failure Analysis**: Diagnose issues in machinery, analyze root causes, and propose corrective actions to reduce downtime.
  • **Design & Upgrades**: Recommend or design improvements for machinery performance, including selecting materials or modifying components.
  • **Mentoring and Support**: Guide (junior) engineers and technicians in troubleshooting and ensure quality work.
  • **Vibration Analysis & Condition Monitoring**: Use advanced diagnostic tools to monitor machine health, such as vibration, temperature, and lubrication analysis.
  • **Technical Documentation**: Prepare detailed reports, maintenance plans, and technical specifications for parts and procedures.

## TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS

### Manpower:

  • Minimum 10 years proven experience in rotating equipment engineering.

### Technical Competencies:

  • Vibration analysis and diagnostics (e.g., FFT, time waveform analysis)
  • Rotor dynamics and bearing analysis (e.g., critical speeds, unbalance, alignment)
  • Fluid dynamics and thermodynamics principles for turbomachinery
  • Materials science and metallurgy relevant to high-stress rotating components
  • Finite Element Analysis (FEA) for stress and fatigue analysis (e.g., ANSYS, Abaqus)
  • Condition monitoring systems (e.g., online monitoring, predictive maintenance platforms)
  • Root Cause Analysis (RCA) methodologies (e.g., 5 Whys, Fishbone diagrams)
  • Familiarity with API standards (e.g., API 610, API 617, API 618, API 670, API 671) for rotating equipment design and maintenance
  • Pump and compressor performance curves and selection
  • Mechanical seal technology and selection
  • Lubrication systems and oil analysis
  • Experience with tools like SAP, Maximo, Meridium, or similar CMMS software.

### Soft Competencies:

  • **Problem-solving and analytical thinking**: Essential for diagnosing complex machinery failures, identifying root causes, and developing effective, lasting solutions for equipment issues.
  • **Attention to detail**: Crucial for accurate data analysis, precise calculations, and meticulous inspection of rotating components to prevent costly errors and ensure safety.
  • **Decision-making under pressure**: Important for making critical, timely decisions during equipment breakdowns or emergencies to minimize downtime and prevent further damage.
  • **Mentorship and Coaching**: Skilled in mentoring (junior) engineers and sharing expertise to develop the team's technical capabilities.
  • **Time Management**: Able to prioritize tasks, manage time efficiently, and handle multiple responsibilities while maintaining quality.
  • **Collaboration and teamwork**: Vital for working effectively with maintenance technicians, operations personnel, and other engineering disciplines to implement solutions and optimize plant performance.
  • **Effective Communication**: Strong (English) verbal and written communication skills, capable of presenting technical findings to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.

## DURATION PERIOD

1 year. Working days/hours: Monday-Friday / 7:30hr-15:30hr. Contractor to be available after official working hours to give (on-site) support if needed.

## REPORTING REQUIREMENTS

  • As an integral part of the team, the Contractor shall participate during all department meetings.
  • Assignments with target dates will be done by the Lead Mechanical Engineer but may also be given by the department head after alignment.
  • Contractor shall report status of assigned projects and activities to the Lead but may also be requested to provide updates to the department Superintendent as required. This includes progress or hold-ups that could negatively impact execution or completion timeframe to discuss and brainstorm and agree on recommended follow-up.
  • All assigned projects/activities shall be listed and documented with conclusion and recommendations where appropriate.
  • All activities, documentation, and information are parts of Client's property. Company property information should be handled with the utmost care, responsibility, and in accordance with company policies and legal requirements.

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