Maintenance & Reliability Engineer

NEXPERA leads the way in sulfuric acid and potassium hydroxide regeneration, offering a comprehensive range of products and services that optimize processes, minimize environmental impact, and allow our partners to focus on their core operations. With the industry’s largest facility network, we ensure unmatched reliability and drive innovation across the industrial landscape. In addition, we provide an unmatched array of sulfur-based chemicals and related services to a diverse set of industries.

POSITION PURPOSE 

NEXERPA's Maintenance & Reliability Engineer will be responsible for providing maintenance and reliability engineering support, as well as general operations support at the Burnside (Darrow, LA) site. We are seeking a Reliability/Maintenance Engineer with experience in rotating and fixed equipment with an emphasis on reliability. The ideal candidate will be the owner of the reliability engineering function for the facility, ensuring and implementing best practices to maintain consistent and reliable equipment operations. The site produces sulfuric acid, oleum, sulfur trioxide and processes spent sulfuric acid.

PRIMARY DUTIES / RESPONSIBILITIES (but not limited to):

• Provide technical expertise on all matters of reliability engineering, assessment and monitoring for all process equipment, including mechanical, electrical, and instrument / control equipment.

• Carry out reliability studies on existing equipment and recommend needed improvements in the areas of equipment philosophies, equipment strategies, equipment improvements and best practices for asset productivity

• Identify, Plan, and Execute reliability improvement projects and other assigned equipment/site improvement projects while following and completing site Management of Change procedures.

• Leading the Reliability Program for all equipment such as turbines, pumps, compressors, valves, pressure vessels, heat exchangers and all other fixed equipment

• Lead incident investigations and perform root cause failure analysis for incidents with a suspected Mechanical Integrity/Quality Assurance cause

• Evaluate equipment failure modes and utilize engineering experience and training to develop solutions for eliminating/mitigating potential failure

• Monitor equipment performance and evaluate equipment history and failure trends to determine sources of poor component performance and implement improvements

• Define Condition Monitoring Inspection Requirements and lead the Predictive/Preventative Maintenance Program

• Advise and confer with engineers in design review meetings to provide reliability findings and recommendations to maximize equipment reliability

• Review engineering specifications/drawings and propose design modifications to improve reliability within cost and other performance requirements

• Develop and track site MIQA/Reliability metrics while developing and completing corrective actions for metric improvement

• Oversee/interact with maintenance organizations regarding maintenance repairs, repair plans, equipment installation, quality assurance requirements, etc… Performing Field contract administration.

• Provide initial technical support for operational issues which may lead to coordinating with additional technical resources to develop a resolution for the issue.

• Assist operations with troubleshooting

• Ensure Safety & Environmental compliance of equipment

• Lead Minor Capital Projects

• Member of site Process Safety Management Committee, with primary focus on Mechanical Integrity (MI) and Quality Assurance (QA). Follow up on action items related to audits and MIQA activities

QUALIFICATIONS:

In order to be qualified for this role, the following is required:

• Bachelor's degree (B.S.) in an Engineering Discipline (Mechanical Engineering preferred)

• Minimum 3 years relative experience working in/on Mechanical Integrity and Quality Assurance programs or in Maintenance Supervision

• Minimum 5 years of manufacturing operations/maintenance experience (chemical industry preferred)

• Individual must possess a Transportation Worker Identification Card (TWIC) or obtain a TWIC once employed

• Working knowledge of Process Safety Management (PSM)
• Knowledge of mechanical and electrical systems, preventive and predictive maintenance technologies, and condition monitoring and fixed time maintenance strategies
• Experience working within a Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS).  SAP Experience is preferred
• Willingness to be available and on call 24/7 as needed due to business conditions
• Other preferred skills:

  • Familiarity with national standards such as API 510 & 570 & 653, ASME B31.1 & B31.3, NBIC, NACE SP 0294

  • Familiarity with Non-Destructive Testing methods such as Liquid Penetrant Testing (PT), Magnetic Particle Testing (MT), Radiographic Testing (RT) , Thermal/Infrared Testing (TIR) , Ultrasonic Testing (UT) , Vibration Analysis Testing (VA), etc..

  • Familiarity with various welding techniques

  • Experience working with Highly Hazardous Chemicals/High Hazard Process

  • Manufacturing experience which includes exposure to Safety, Health, Environment, Quality, Maintenance and Continuous Improvement systems and tools

  • Experience in Root Cause Failure Analysis and Incident investigations

  • Demonstrated collaborative problem solving, excellent planning and organizational skills ○ Strong interpersonal

  • Strong interpersonal and communication skills and teamwork

  • Strong analytical skills

  • Proactive problem solving and utilization of data in a timely manner

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS / WORK ENVIRONMENT:

• Ability to travel 10%
• The work environment will include an office setting and working outside year-round. 
• Willing and able to climb ladders, climb stairs, stoop, bend, kneel, crawl, work from heights, enter confined spaces, stand for long periods of time, able to lift 30 lbs, wear required PPE. 
• Must be clean shaven and have the ability to wear a full-face respirator.

Successful candidates must be able to perform the essential functions of the job with or without accommodation.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer! All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status.

BENEFITS

Nexpera's comprehensive benefits package includes paid time off policies, as well as health, dental and vision insurance. In addition, employees are also entitled to participate in an employer sponsored 401(k) plan, to save for retirement. Pay and benefits for employees represented by a union are outlined in their collective bargaining agreement.