Mechanical Maintenance Engineer

Primary location: Augusta, GA. Salaried position, Monday to Friday, 40 hours/week; overtime required as needed.

About the Role

The Maintenance Reliability Engineer II ensures the reliability, safety, and efficiency of mechanical systems and equipment within the chemical plant. This role supports effective maintenance, troubleshooting, development of technician skills, mechanical projects, and repair tasks to maintain continuous plant operations.

Responsibilities

• Maximize Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) through systematic evaluation and improvement initiatives to enhance equipment availability, performance, and quality. (15%)
• Conduct root-cause investigations to identify and resolve issues affecting equipment reliability and operational efficiency. (15%)
• Ensure compliance with electrical safety standards and industry regulations in all maintenance activities. (5%)
• Support daily plant operations by addressing plant issues to ensure safe and reliable functioning. (10%)
• Identify and address site inefficiencies by implementing corrective actions for equipment "bad actors." (10%)
• Assist I&E maintenance technicians with subject matter expertise, including safe electrical work permitting and electrical training.
• Review and optimize preventive maintenance activities to enhance effectiveness and resource allocation. (5%)
• Support EHS initiatives through participation in safety roll-out activities. (5%)
• Provide engineering support for high-priority maintenance needs and outage response. (15%)
• Maintain equipment registers and manage obsolescence, identifying risks and developing mitigation plans. (5%)
• Serve as the subject matter expert for electrical and instrumentation management of change. (5%)
• Support capital projects from conception to commissioning, ensuring maintenance readiness for new installations. (10%)
• Develop maintenance procedures to streamline technician workflows and ensure proper verification and validation. (5%)

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering or a related field.
• Minimum of 10 years of experience in mechanical engineering and maintenance, preferably in a chemical or industrial environment.
• Strong knowledge of rotating equipment, piping systems, pressure vessels, and mechanical seals.
• Familiarity with regulatory requirements and safety standards in a chemical plant setting.
• Proficiency in using diagnostic tools and software.
• Excellent problem-solving skills and the ability to work under pressure.
• Strong communication and teamwork abilities.
• Demonstrated knowledge of Mechanical Integrity best practices including API 610, API 650, API 570, API 510, PAI 579, FMEA, and Risk-Based Inspection methodologies.
• Knowledge of mechanical codes and standards (ASME, API, ANSI, CSA).
• Knowledge of vibration analysis and thermography is a plus.

Skills

• Coordination/consultation with site maintenance, operations, and project groups to improve fixed equipment reliability and mechanical integrity.
• Development and revision of procedures relating to inspection, repair, and overhaul.
• Development of Preventive and Predictive Maintenance plans.
• Experience working with 3rd party engineering consulting firms specializing in engineering evaluations.
• Solid experience in facilitating Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA) and corrective actions.
• Experience managing small capital projects.
• Organized, capable of working under pressure to meet deadlines.
• Self-motivated with a high sense of ownership (comfortable working autonomously).
• Strong collaborator and effective communicator with multiple levels in the organization (verbal and written).
• Thrives in a team atmosphere and is a strong contributor.
• Humble, adaptable, and a life-long learner.
• Data-driven and process-oriented.
• Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, procedure manuals, manufacturer’s literature, diagrams, or schematics.

Environmental Health and Safety

• Become familiar with Chemtrade Environmental, Health & Safety (EHS) policies and procedures.
• Immediately report all EHS incidents (injuries, near misses, releases).
• Complete all required EHS training in a timely fashion.
• Follow all Chemtrade facility and corporate EHS procedures and practices.
• Attend and actively participate in facility EHS meetings and forums that drive employee involvement.
• Provide feedback and suggestions for EHS program improvement.
• Participate in job safety analysis activities.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job:

• Frequently required to sit, stand, walk, reach with hands and arms, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.
• Regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds, frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds, and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities required may include close vision.
• Physically capable of spending long hours outdoors and occasionally work in protected clothing and equipment.
• Ability to climb stairs and ladders (including vertical).
• Must be “fit for duty”.

Work Environment

• Work in awkward or confining workspaces.
• Work in elevated places.
• Work in outdoor environments.
• Work in noisy environments.
• Work in areas that are dusty and have some odor from chemicals.
• Safety is a job requirement.
• Able to work in adverse weather conditions.
• Capable of spending long hours outdoors on your feet and occasionally work in protective clothing and equipment such as rain suits, face shields, hoods, etc.

Pay

Compensation range: $100,000 - $120,000 per year, plus benefits and bonus. The range reflects the targeted pay scale; actual pay depends on work location and factors such as skills, experience, and education.

Benefits

Chemtrade offers a comprehensive benefits package, including family-friendly benefits and opportunities for career growth and advancement. The company values diversity and inclusion, fostering an environment where all employees feel respected and empowered. Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) provide platforms for employees to connect, share experiences, and contribute ideas.