The role of a Mechanical Equipment Manager is that of sourcing, developing, evaluating, and approving equipment to improve the operations and profitability of the employer's company. The mechanical equipment manager is part of a team in the business but can also act alone in developing project plans, test plans, success criteria, and validation of equipment and other procedures.
Job scope
Job scope of a mechanical equipment manager involves:
- Assisting equipment engineers in developing and executing project and test plans
- Filing the required documentation for equipment approval.
- Meeting the requirements of the operations team
- Enabling the introduction or maintenance of new product initiatives of company
- Providing test results to validate such tools or equipment in laboratories.
- Providing technical data for manuals, training, and operations of equipment.
- Finalizing and maintaining the approval process where tasks involve testing to
- validate equipment performance
- Coordinating and processing of all field calls from company to identify and
- resolve equipment operations issues.
The job of mechanical equipment manager requires a bachelor’s degree in mechanical, industrial, or electrical engineering. For a managerial position, most industries require a graduate degree or equivalent experience. Some employers on the other hand tend to seek out candidates with over 5years of experience in leading or facilitating cross-functional teams. Here is a list of requirements an employer can look for when hiring:
- Basic knowledge of electrical, gas, and heat transfer; and fabrication disciplines.
- A demonstrated ability to present and explain difficult concepts and issues while
- anticipating potential objections.
- Special knowledge, software skills or abilities in MCAD Skills,
- Proficiency in Pro-Engineer solid modeling,
- Design and modeling skills for plant layout, process piping, HVAC, sprinkler
- systems
- Experience in developing piping design plans, elevations, and isometrics
- Ability to read and interpret architectural and structural construction documents
- Ability to transform equipment arrangement layout in MicroStation (PlantSpace) into
- piping design
- Ability to plan, organize and manage
Job Opportunities
Job opportunities for this position have a good outlook for people who have completed mechanical studies featuring transportation. Contributing to favorable future job opportunities for mechanics is the long-term trend of fewer students entering technical schools to learn skilled maintenance and repair trades. Employment opportunities will continue to be best at small commuter and regional airlines, at FAA repair stations, and in general aviation. Commuter and regional airlines are the fastest growing segments of the air transportation industry, but wages in these airlines tend to be lower than those in the major airlines, so they attract fewer job applicants. Also, some jobs will become available as experienced mechanics leave for higher paying jobs with the major airlines or transfer to other occupations.
In spite of these factors, job opportunities with the airlines are expected to be better than they have been in the past. But, in general, prospects will be best for applicants with experience. Mechanics who keep abreast of technological advances in electronics, composite materials, and other areas will be in greatest demand for the managerial positions. The number of job openings for aircraft mechanics in the federal government should decline as the government increasingly contracts out service and repair functions to private repair companies.
Resources: "Occupations" Bureau of Labor and Statistics, copyright 2006.
Here are some employment opportunities and what employers are now requesting for a mechanical equipment manager. When job-hunting you may see variations on the title but the requirements will disclose a request for managerial experience in mechanical equipment. Read the advertisements well when titles are different. This is a job, which is offered outside of the United States. The duties and requirements are very straightforward for this position.
Mechanical Manager
Responsibilities:
- Detailed schedule for the site installation of mechanical, pipings, skids and supports
- Manpower planning
- Overall schedule for the mechanical equipment and skids delivering
- Plan the site access and ensure site safety is strictly adhered
- Plan all site equipment usage and write weekly reports
- Ensure projects are within schedule and budget control
- Ensure that the mechanical installations are of good workmanship and practice
- Coordinate closely with the other site activities.
- Degree in mechanical engineering
- At least 5-year experience as manager
- Experience in managing site mechanical, pipings, and various support installation for
- large projects with value above $5 million.
- Hand-on and to be able to travel and stay for a long period out of the country
- Willing to work long hours and well organized.
Here is another clear and specific employer ad for Reliability/Mechanical/Plant Equipment. The title is different but read through the ad and you will see it is a mechanical equipment job without the "manager" title. However, you will read in the requirements this position does require many management level duties. This ad doesn't request a manager but does request someone who has carried a leadership role. The salary range is $90,000 to $110,000.
Reliability/Mechanical /Plant Equipment Description
RELIABILITY MANAGER needed in Chicago for a top-notch firm. Requires BS Degree in Mechanical Engineering or equivalent technical academic degree and 10+ years related experience preferably in bulk handling reliability or otherwise in a plant mechanical equipment reliability role. Need knowledge of reliability systems such as Maximo or similar systems. It would be a PLUS to have MS Degree in Mechanical Engineering. Must have solid interpersonal, verbal, and written skills and be available for on call rotation for after hours support.
Position is a proactive leadership role supporting plant production focusing on maximizing equipment reliability and operational performance for equipment such as conveyors, crushers, screening, material handling, and loaders. Will evaluate equipment physical condition determine recommended upgrades and asset strategy; perform root cause analysis and develop solutions; evaluate equipment predictive and preventative maintenance programs adding improvements to optimize the program; work with maintenance staff to implement maintenance program improvements and equipment upgrades or modifications; lead equipment related capital improvement projects; drive continuous improvement process; interface with outside equipment suppliers and vendors; prepare and manage budgets; and ensure adherence with facility safety and environmental compliance programs as well as security requirements.
Generous package includes Salary based on qualifications, depth of equipment reliability skills, applicable experience, and education; very comprehensive Benefits; and Relocation.
Resources: Think Energry Group.com., 12/30/2008
