Reliability & Asset Management Senior Engineer - Electrical & Instrumentation

Location: Solwezi

Time Type: Full time

Job Description

At First Quantum, we free the talent of our people by taking a very different approach which is underpinned by a very different, very definite culture – the “First Quantum Way”.

Working with us is not like working anywhere else, which is why we recruit people who will take a bolder, smarter approach to spot opportunities, solve problems and deliver results.

Our culture is all about encouraging you to think independently and to challenge convention to deliver the best result. That’s how we continue to achieve extraordinary things in extraordinary locations.

Job description:

Asset Management

• Support the implementation and maintenance of the Smelter Asset Management Framework and associated standards for the fixed plant and mobile equipment assets.

• Develop and maintain accurate asset registers and equipment hierarchies in Pronto.

• Monitor asset health indicators and identify deterioration trends requiring maintenance intervention.
• Manage the strategy, governance, and optimization of the reliability maintenance initiatives to prevent related mechanical failures.
• Build and maintain asset health indices combining equipment age, thickness test data, and operating history to predict remaining useful life.
• Carry out periodic asset condition assessments and asset health reviews.
• Assist with equipment risk assessments and identification of mitigation measures.
• Support the rollout and implementation of the digital maintenance platforms such as the OnPlan platform. 

Reliability and Performance Monitoring

• Monitor the reliability of HV/LV systems, MCCs, transformers, PLC, DCS, SCADA and field instrumentation through KPI tracking and data analysis.
• Monitor asset health indicators and performance metrics to identify reliability risks and improvement opportunities for smelter E&I equipment.

• Collect, analyse, and report on asset reliability, availability, maintainability, and utilization data.
• Lead Root Cause Failure Analyses (RCFA), Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (FMEA), and related improvement studies.
• Identify recurring equipment failures and assist in developing reliability improvement initiatives.
• Support implementation of preventive, predictive, and condition-based maintenance programs.
• Generate periodic reliability and asset performance reports for management review.

Asset Information and Analytics

• Collect, analyse, and interpret the Electrical and Instrumentation equipment performance data.
• Develop asset health reports, reliability reports, and KPI dashboards.
• Utilize Power BI, CMMS, PI System, RtDUET, and other digital platforms to support asset management decisions.
• Support data-driven decision-making through performance analysis and reporting.
• Assist with reliability forecasting and equipment risk assessments.
• Produce monthly equipment health and reliability reports.
• Maintain asset performance dashboards and reports using Power BI and other reporting tools.
• Maintain asset management KPIs and performance scorecards.
• Participate in digital asset management initiatives and implementation of asset analytics systems.
• Maintain accurate E&I asset registers
• Participate in digital asset management initiatives and implementation of asset analytics systems.

Asset Strategy and Maintenance Optimization

• Assist in evaluating preventive maintenance effectiveness and recommend improvements.
• Support critical equipment reviews and maintenance task analyses.
• Contribute to spare parts optimization initiatives through analysis of equipment criticality and maintenance history.
• Support shutdown planning teams by providing asset-related information and performance trending.

Continuous Improvement

• Review the effectiveness of existing PM (Preventive Maintenance) and PdM (Predictive Maintenance) routines against actual equipment failure history.
• Identify opportunities for improving asset performance, and maintenance effectiveness
• Collaborate with various disciplines to define safe operating envelopes, preventing equipment operators from running mechanical equipment outside design limits.
• Support the Implementation of new reliability technologies and maintenance methodologies
• Participate in reliability improvement projects.
• Monitor outcomes of improvement initiatives and report achieved benefits.
• Promote a culture of reliability, operational excellence, and continuous improvement.

Safety, Health, Environment and Quality (SHEQ)

• Comply with all company policies, procedures, legal requirements, and industry standards relating to safety, health, environment, and quality.
• Demonstrate a commitment to maintaining a safe workplace and promote safe work practices in all asset management activities.
• Ensure asset management activities align with company safety and environmental requirements.
• Participate in risk assessments, incident investigations, and corrective action implementation where required.

KEY COMPETENCIES

• A deep understanding of High Voltage (HV) and Low Voltage (LV) distribution networks, switchgear, transformers, and protection relays.
• A deep understanding of Distributed Control Systems (DCS), Programmable Logic Controllers (PLC), and SCADA architecture
• Maintenance strategy development
• Asset health and performance monitoring and analysis
• Sound knowledge of Condition-Based Maintenance (CBM) techniques, such as Vibration Analysis, Thermography and Oil Analysis.
• Reliability data analysis and trend identification.
• Equipment criticality assessment and risk evaluation.
• Root Cause Failure Analysis (RCFA) participation and support.
• Power BI dashboard development and data visualization.
• Computerized Maintenance Management Systems (CMMS) proficiency (e.g., PRONTO, SAP).
• Maintenance cost and lifecycle cost analysis.
• Spare parts optimization and inventory support.
• Technical report writing and presentation skills.
• Problem-solving and continuous improvement methodologies.
• General knowledge of defect elimination methodologies and their interpretation.
• Working knowledge of all applicable electrical industry standards and mining regulations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical and Instrumentation or a closely related Engineering discipline

• Certification in Asset Management, or Reliability Engineering will be an added advantage (ARP, CMRP, etc)

• Certification in Condition Monitoring Techniques will be an added advantage

• Power BI or advanced analytic training will also be an added advantage

Experience

• At least 5 years’ experience in maintenance, reliability, asset management or engineering role in the mining/mineral processing industry. Smelter experience will be an added advantage.

• Demonstrated experience working at a senior level in electrical engineering, control and instrumentation engineering, or PLC specialist.

• Demonstrated experience in the development of reports and KPIs through data driven decision-making.

• Demonstrated experience in asset performance monitoring and reliability improvement initiatives.

• Experience in RCA reviews and asset strategy optimization

• Experience in optimizing preventive and condition-based maintenance programs.

• Power BI skills and knowledge

• Exposure to digital asset management technologies, and analytics platforms.

• Demonstrated skills in verbal and written communications, planning and organizing

• Experience with the use of a computerized maintenance management system (such as PRONTO, SAP or similar systems)

• Solid computer skills including use of MS Office (Word, Excel & Outlook)

• Exposure to ISO 55000 Asset Management principles

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BEHAVIOURAL TRAITS

• Analytical Thinking: Strong ability to analyse equipment performance data, identify trends, diagnose issues, and support the implementation of effective solutions.
• Attention to Detail: Maintains a high level of accuracy in asset data, reporting, analysis, and documentation.
• Problem Solving: Applies structured and practical approaches to resolve asset performance and reliability challenges.
• Planning & Organization: Effectively manages priorities, coordinates activities, and ensures timely completion of assigned tasks.
• Communication: Communicates clearly and professionally, both verbally and in writing, with stakeholders at all levels.
• Collaboration: Works effectively with Operations, Maintenance, Engineering, Planning, and other support functions to achieve common objectives.
• Continuous Improvement: Proactively identifies opportunities to improve asset performance, maintenance effectiveness, and operational efficiency.
• Accountability: Takes ownership of responsibilities and delivers work to agreed standards and timelines.
• Data-Driven Decision Making: Utilizes asset and maintenance data to support recommendations and informed decision-making.
• Initiative: Demonstrates a proactive approach to identifying issues, opportunities, and improvement actions.
• Customer Focus: Understands and supports the operational needs of internal stakeholders to achieve business objectives.

· Innovation: Identifies and implements new ideas, technologies, and approaches to improve reliability, efficiency, and performance of the smelter.

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