Instrument & Electrical Reliability Engineer

Job Overview

The role involves applying expert knowledge and experience to enhance reliability and reduce failures within Instrumentation and Electrical (I&E) systems and assets at the plant. The focus is on developing and implementing maintenance and reliability strategies, troubleshooting, engineering analysis, and continuous improvement to ensure optimal and safe operations.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

• Provide expert advice and assistance to Maintenance I&E Engineers, electricians, and production supervisors for complex electrical repairs and troubleshooting.
• Develop and apply reliability strategies using methods such as Reliability Centered Maintenance (RCM), Root Cause Analysis (RCA), and Preventive and Predictive Maintenance (PPM) to analyze electrical equipment failures and create cost-effective solutions for safe, reliable plant operation.
• Conduct detailed engineering calculations (ETAP simulations including Load Flow, Short Circuit, Motor Starting, Protection Relay Coordination) and prepare electrical documentation such as Single Line Diagrams, Schematic Diagrams, and Cable Schedules.
• Implement Mechanical Integrity and Quality Assurance best practices, coordinating with other departments to develop and assess relevant QA procedures.
• Identify reliability issues in electrical equipment, devise engineering solutions for intermittent or chronic problems, and lead implementation efforts collaboratively with technical, production, and maintenance teams.
• Lead plant Reliability Improvement Teams (RITs) and manage reliability enhancement initiatives.
• Perform Root Cause Failure Analyses to identify failure modes and recommend improvements to I&E equipment reliability.
• Review and assess RCA reports, criticality studies, equipment strategies, and risk assessments for consistency and policy compliance.
• Evaluate facility incidents impacting reliability, ensuring appropriate RCAs are done and corrective actions tracked and completed.
• Review equipment specifications and designs to verify reliability goals, act as a technical advisor during capital projects and turnarounds.
• Participate in Management of Change (MOC) and Pre-Startup Safety Reviews (PSSR) for new installations to ensure compliance with functional specifications.
• Serve as subject matter expert (SME) for RCA investigations and support RCA teams.
• Review and optimize Inspection and Test Plans and Maintenance procedures (ITPMs) for critical electrical and Instrumented Protective Systems (IPS) equipment.
• Drive consistency and standardization in electrical equipment design and maintenance strategies across the site.
• Provide guidance to Maintenance for compliance with Life Cycle Asset Management processes for new and existing assets.
• Promote continuous improvement and facilitate collaboration among various plant functions to enhance overall quality.
• Monitor and analyze MOCs related to IPS equipment for adherence to modification and decommissioning standards and assess impacts on system integrity.
• Support the Obsolescence Management Program for IPS equipment.
• Ensure compliance with Chevron Project Engineering Standards and QatarEnergy Measurement Guidelines for IPS-related changes.
• Streamline Functional Safety Assessment (FSA) requirements through the SIS lifecycle stages.
• Contribute to departmental system, policy, process, and procedure improvements based on international best practices to boost productivity and efficiency.
• Ensure team adherence to I&E Reliability Section policies, procedures, and instructions for consistent controlled work execution.
• Maintain compliance with Life Critical Procedures, operational tenets, consent to operate, plant policies, SOPs, job safety analyses (JSAs), MOC process, and quality management systems.
• Participate actively in safety activities, plant audits, walk-downs, and safety meetings such as shift toolbox talks and MSCMs.
• Exercise Stop Work Authority when unsafe conditions or behaviours are identified and take immediate corrective action.
• Prepare accurate and timely reports aligned with department requirements and standards.
• Assist supervisors in preparing annual operating and capital budgets and ensure reliability projects are completed on schedule and within budget.
• Report incidents and near misses, participate in investigations, and communicate follow-up needs.
• Effectively communicate technical concepts and ideas to relevant stakeholders.
• Contribute to the training and development of Qatari employees (for expatriates).

Candidate Profile - Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering Technology, Electrical Engineering, or Electrical Power Engineering is essential.
• A Master’s degree in Engineering is advantageous.
• Five to seven years of experience in electrical equipment and systems maintenance and technical support, preferably within process industries.
• Less than four years in a similar role is preferred.
• Prior experience in Oil & Gas or Petrochemical sectors is desirable.
• Strong familiarity with protection and control systems in large process plants involving High and Medium Voltage equipment (132kV/33kV/6kV).
• Expertise in electrical protection system design and operation of intelligent protection relays.
• Experience in failure modes and effects analysis and sound understanding of electrical equipment failure mechanisms.
• Proficient troubleshooting and independent resolution of engineering issues.
• Knowledge of relevant international standards such as IEC and IEEE.
• Practical experience with ETAP software for system modeling and analysis.
• Competence in load flow and short circuit studies, as well as relay discrimination and coordination for industrial electrical distribution systems.
• Familiarity with Computerized Maintenance Management Systems (CMMS), preferentially SAP.