Shift Engineer

Role overview

This position is responsible for keeping production running smoothly across shifts by guiding the shift crew and assisting the shift superintendent with equipment operation and maintenance. The goal is to meet production targets while upholding safety and quality requirements.

Core responsibilities

The role is accountable for shift planning, day-to-day execution, operational monitoring, maintenance coordination, and safe work practices. The incumbent may also be assigned additional tasks by senior authority as needed.

• Support preparation of shift operating plans and ensure execution matches functional standards and regulatory requirements.
• Roll out approved initiatives and projects to support future shift-operations needs.
• Share suggestions for process and specification improvements aligned with industry best practices.
• Track equipment health, carry out predictive maintenance actions, and analyze data using OMPro to improve site performance.
• Perform routine equipment checks and monitor process parameters to spot abnormalities; coordinate with the right teams to speed up maintenance and ensure safe handover/takeover of equipment.
• Oversee safe shutdowns, efficient restarts, and preservation of equipment and facilities during long shutdowns.
• Act early to detect and reduce risks and hazards so emergencies are minimized and operations remain safe and efficient.
• Identify failure causes, recommend troubleshooting actions, and suggest measures that reduce repeat breakdowns.
• Execute PIOs and assist with sample and improvement trials during shifts so work proceeds without interruption.
• Maintain accurate shift logs with complete and consistent details of site activities.
• Support the PO during plant upsets.
• Understand rotary machine seal systems, including the importance of seal pot level and pressure.
• Know compressor lubrication systems and the significance of temperature, pressure, flow, and related indicators.
• Be familiar with LO/LC valve status and field instrument locations.
• Coordinate with other plants to maintain SOCs for raw materials.
• Work with the maintenance team on job planning and execution.
• Distinguish between routine, one-time, and shutdown jobs.
• Carry out risk assessments during handover, takeover, and process jobs; conduct toolbox talks before execution to reinforce safe practices.
• Ensure safety procedures are followed so the workplace remains safe and incidents are prevented.
• Identify, document, and report near-miss events through root-cause analysis to help prevent recurrence.
• Drive compliance with the permit-to-work system and ensure all operations follow the applicable regulations and guidelines.
• Understand the incident classification system (API754) and update the portal when required.

Education

A diploma or bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering / Chemical Technology is required.

Experience

Applicants should have 3 to 7 years of experience as a shift engineer in site operations, including at least 2 years as a panel executive.

Desired capabilities

• Strong knowledge of unit operations and plant processes.
• Ability to handle emergencies effectively.
• Good understanding of safety standards, procedures, and hazards.
• Problem-solving and analytical thinking.
• People management capability.
• Planning and decision-making skills.
• Effective communication skills.
• Teamwork and leadership abilities.

Performance measures

Success in this role is linked to site safety, operational stability, and production efficiency, including metrics such as workplace incidents, field rounds, SD job register entries, permit audit deviations, unplanned jobs, safety KPIs (Fatality, LWC, TRC, Fires, PSI Tier 1/2), production targets, incidents related to operations/quality variance, quality deviations, plant technical availability, and conversion cost.

Additional information

This is a full-time, on-site position in Hoshiarpur, Punjab, India. No stipend or salary amount was provided in the source.