Field Engineer: Mechanical

MAIN PURPOSE OF THE JOB

To provide specialised mechanical engineering expertise in the design, development, manufacture, installation, commissioning, maintenance, troubleshooting, repair, optimisation and continuous improvement of explosives delivery equipment and associated mechanical systems.

The role is responsible for managing and supporting mechanical engineering projects and providing technical support to manufacturing, field operations and mining customers. The position ensures that engineering solutions and equipment are safe, reliable, fit-for-purpose, cost-effective and compliant with applicable statutory, engineering, quality and SHEQ requirements.

The role provides technical support across surface and underground mining operations, including equipment breakdowns, shutdowns, commissioning, equipment upgrades and engineering modifications, while driving equipment reliability, maintainability and continuous improvement.

JOB PROFILE

1. Equipment Engineering Support

• Provide specialist mechanical engineering support for MMUs, MCUs, PCUs, Emulsion Plants, Vertical Delivery Systems (VDS) and associated equipment.
• Diagnose complex mechanical equipment failures and conduct root-cause analysis.
• Provide technical support for preventative, predictive and corrective maintenance activities.
• Identify equipment reliability and maintainability improvement opportunities.
• Provide technical support to operations, maintenance teams and customers.
• Develop engineering solutions to address recurring equipment failures and performance issues.
• Provide technical guidance on mechanical equipment selection, operation and maintenance.

2. Cost Estimation and Budget Management

• Prepare project cost estimates in collaboration with Procurement and Sourcing.
• Develop and maintain Bills of Materials (BOMs).
• Develop, monitor and control engineering project budgets.
• Track expenditure and investigate and report budget variances.
• Provide technical input into capital expenditure planning.
• Evaluate engineering options with consideration for total lifecycle cost.
• Ensure engineering projects are delivered within approved budgets.

3. Mechanical Design and Development

• Translate User Requirement Specifications (URS) into Functional Specifications (FS).
• Design, modify and optimise mechanical systems, including pumps, hydraulic circuits, valves, fluid transfer systems, mechanical structures and associated equipment.
• Prepare engineering calculations, specifications and technical requirements.
• Review existing equipment designs and recommend improvements.
• Ensure designs comply with applicable engineering standards, specifications and company requirements.
• Consider safety, reliability, maintainability and lifecycle requirements during the design process.
• Provide technical input into the development and selection of mechanical components and equipment.

4. Engineering Documentation and Technical Records

• Develop and maintain mechanical engineering drawings and technical documentation.
• Update General Arrangement (GA) drawings, hydraulic schematics, Bills of Materials (BOMs) and equipment specifications.
• Prepare and maintain technical manuals, maintenance procedures and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
• Ensure engineering documentation accurately reflects approved modifications and equipment configuration.
• Maintain appropriate document-control standards and engineering records.
• Ensure obsolete engineering documentation is appropriately controlled and withdrawn.

5. Technical Reviews, Risk Management and Change Control

• Participate in engineering and design reviews.
• Provide Subject Matter Expert (SME) input during HAZOPs, Design Risk Assessments, Hazard Studies and other engineering risk assessments.
• Identify mechanical engineering risks and recommend appropriate mitigation measures.
• Provide technical input into Management of Change (MOC) processes.
• Ensure engineering changes are appropriately assessed, documented, approved and implemented.
• Consider process safety and equipment safety in engineering decisions.
• Ensure engineering risks associated with modifications, new equipment and field installations are adequately managed.

6. Contractor and Supplier Management

• Manage and provide technical oversight of contractors, consultants and engineering service providers.
• Review technical and engineering submissions from suppliers and contractors.
• Monitor contractor performance against agreed technical, quality, cost, schedule and SHEQ requirements.
• Ensure contractors comply with applicable site and company SHEQ requirements.
• Verify the quality and technical compliance of completed work.
• Provide technical input into supplier selection and procurement processes where required.
• Review supplier documentation, technical specifications and equipment compliance.

7. Manufacturing and Equipment Upgrades

• Provide mechanical engineering support to manufacturing activities.
• Manage and coordinate equipment modifications, upgrades and refurbishment projects.
• Coordinate engineering changes from design through to implementation.
• Verify that manufactured and modified equipment complies with approved engineering specifications.
• Support prototype development, testing and evaluation where required.
• Identify opportunities to improve equipment design, manufacturability and reliability.
• Provide technical support in resolving manufacturing-related engineering problems.

8. Commissioning and Field Engineering

• Plan and perform pre-commissioning, commissioning and equipment verification activities.
• Conduct and/or support Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT) and Site Acceptance Testing (SAT).
• Verify equipment functionality and performance against approved requirements.
• Prepare commissioning, testing and technical reports.
• Provide technical support during equipment installation, start-up and handover.
• Resolve commissioning and field-related mechanical issues.
• Provide technical support to customers and operational teams during equipment deployment and start-up.
• Ensure equipment is safely and correctly installed, commissioned and handed over for operation.

9. Reliability and Continuous Improvement

• Identify engineering opportunities to improve equipment availability, reliability, maintainability and performance.
• Conduct failure investigations and implement corrective and preventative actions.
• Benchmark relevant industry engineering practices and technologies.
• Capture and incorporate lessons learnt into future equipment designs and projects.
• Promote engineering standardisation and equipment optimisation.
• Support initiatives aimed at reducing equipment downtime, maintenance costs and operational risks.
• Monitor equipment performance and identify opportunities for further engineering improvements.

10. Mining Operations Support

• Provide mechanical engineering support at surface and underground mining operations.
• Support planned shutdowns, equipment installations and emergency breakdowns where required.
• Provide technical engineering assistance during operational challenges and equipment failures.
• Ensure engineering activities are conducted in accordance with applicable Mine Health and Safety requirements and site standards.
• Travel to customer and mining sites to provide engineering and technical support.
• Provide technical guidance to maintenance, operations and other relevant personnel.
• Support investigations into equipment-related incidents and failures where required.

11. Governance and Compliance

• Comply with governance requirements and established policies, systems, procedures and practices.
• Ensure engineering activities are performed in accordance with applicable legislation, standards, specifications and company requirements.
• Maintain accurate technical, project and engineering records.
• Ensure appropriate approval and change-control processes are followed.
• Support internal and external audits where required.
• Ensure engineering decisions and recommendations are supported by appropriate technical information and documentation.

12. Safety, Health, Environment and Quality (SHEQ)

• Comply with all applicable Safety, Health, Environment and Quality requirements.
• Demonstrate visible safety leadership in all engineering and field activities.
• Identify and manage engineering and operational risks.
• Participate in risk assessments and SHEQ initiatives.
• Ensure engineering solutions consider the safe operation, maintenance and lifecycle of equipment.
• Stop or escalate activities where unacceptable safety, quality or engineering risks are identified.
• Promote a culture of Zero Harm and continuous improvement.
• Ensure engineering activities do not compromise the safe handling, transportation, storage or application of explosives and associated materials.

EDUCATION / QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED

• BSc/BEng/BTech in Mechanical Engineering.
• Registration with ECSA, or progress towards professional registration, will be advantageous.
• Project Management qualification/certificate will be advantageous.
• Competent in the use of Microsoft Project or equivalent project scheduling software.
• Sound knowledge and application of mechanical engineering design principles.
• Sound knowledge of engineering calculations, specifications, drawings and technical documentation.
• Demonstrated ability to initiate and manage engineering projects involving significant capital expenditure.
• Ability to manage multiple engineering projects concurrently, including projects typically ranging between R2 million and R5 million.
• Strong technical report-writing and presentation skills.
• Knowledge of explosives, the applicable basis of safety and explosives-related legislation/regulations will be advantageous.
• Valid driver's licence.

EXPERIENCE REQUIRED

• 2–5 years' relevant mechanical engineering experience.
• Experience in managing engineering projects from concept/design through implementation and close-out.
• Experience in mechanical equipment design, maintenance, troubleshooting and optimisation.
• Experience with hydraulic systems will be advantageous.
• Experience with pumps, valves, fluid transfer systems and associated mechanical equipment will be advantageous.
• Exposure to manufacturing, commissioning and field engineering activities will be advantageous.
• Mining, heavy industrial, manufacturing or explosives-industry experience will be advantageous.
• Experience working in surface and/or underground mining environments will be advantageous.
• Experience dealing with contractors, suppliers and technical service providers will be advantageous.

COMPETENCIES REQUIRED

Technical Competencies

• Mechanical engineering design and analysis.
• Engineering project management.
• Equipment troubleshooting and failure analysis.
• Root-cause analysis.
• Hydraulic and fluid systems.
• Engineering drawings and technical documentation.
• Equipment reliability and maintainability.
• Risk assessment and engineering change management.
• Contractor and supplier management.
• Cost estimation and budget management.
• Commissioning and equipment testing.
• Computer-aided design and engineering systems.
• Technical report writing and presentation.

Behavioural Competencies

• Self-motivated and proactive.
• Analytical and problem-solving ability.
• Creative and innovative thinking.
• Planning and organisational ability.
• Thoroughness and attention to detail.
• Strong technical judgement.
• Ability to work independently.
• Team player and collaborative approach.
• Leadership and influencing ability.
• Strong communication and presentation skills.
• Customer-focused approach.
• Ability to work under pressure and meet project deadlines.
• Ability to make sound technical decisions.

KEY INTERNAL STAKEHOLDERS

• Global Engineering Manager
• Global Equipment Services Contracts Engineer
• Global Engineering Team
• Operations
• Maintenance
• Manufacturing
• Projects
• Procurement and Sourcing
• SHEQ
• Finance
• Supply Chain
• Human Capital
• Site/Business Unit Management

KEY EXTERNAL STAKEHOLDERS

• Mining customers
• Engineering consultants
• Equipment manufacturers
• Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs)
• Contractors and service providers
• Engineering suppliers
• Testing and inspection service providers
• Regulatory and statutory authorities where applicable

SPECIAL CONDITIONS

• Required to travel locally and internationally as business requirements dictate.
• Required to work at mining operations, manufacturing facilities and customer sites.
• May be required to work underground and in operational mining environments.
• May be required to work outside normal working hours during commissioning, shutdowns, breakdowns or critical operational requirements.
• May be required to participate in emergency breakdown and equipment-support activities.
• Must comply with all site access, medical fitness, SHEQ, security and other applicable requirements.
• Must be willing and able to work in challenging field and operational environments.
• May be exposed to hazardous industrial and mining environments and must comply with all applicable safety controls and procedures.
• Must be willing to travel and work away from the normal place of work when required.
• May be required to work extended hours to meet project, commissioning or operational requirements.

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