Shape each shift with precision and purpose
As the rotating equipment specialist in our oleochemical refinery, you keep critical units safe, reliable, and efficient. With limited supervision, you apply independent judgment and technical mastery to rotating and stationary assets: centrifugal and positive displacement pumps, valves, heat exchangers, steam systems, and ASME pressure vessels. The work mirrors an industrial mechanic or millwright role in a continuous process environment—only here, reliability is the heartbeat of production.
A day in the life
You begin by reviewing work orders in the CMMS and completing a JSA. Lockout/Tagout is verified before tools touch metal. A pump with elevated vibration hits your queue: you rig it out, disassemble, inspect seals and bearings, machine a keyway, and rebuild. Alignment gets dialed in with laser tools, couplings torqued to spec, and the system returned to service leak-free. Next, you assemble a bolted flange on a steam line, install steam tracing with careful bends and flares, set traps, and troubleshoot condensate issues. In the afternoon, you help prepare an ASME pressure vessel for internal entry and assist with reassembly, then document every step in the CMMS and recommend a tweak to the maintenance procedure for better uptime.
What you will tackle
- Safety & compliance: Execute all tasks under Lockout/Tagout, confined space entry, hot work permitting, fall protection, and energy isolation programs. Complete JSAs and recommend stopping any activity that risks people, equipment, or operations.
- Rotating equipment maintenance: Diagnose, strip, inspect, repair, and rebuild centrifugal and positive displacement pumps; service seals and bearing systems; perform precision shaft alignment using laser tools and dial indicators; install and torque couplings, bearings, and rotating assemblies to manufacturer and plant specifications.
- Valve & piping systems: Remove, inspect, repair, and reinstall process valves; perform best-practice bolted flange assembly for leak-free performance; replace gaskets and follow correct torque sequences and bolt loading; support piping modifications and mechanical installations.
- Steam systems & thermal equipment: Install, repair, and maintain steam tracing (bend and flare tubing, install traps, troubleshoot condensate); maintain and repair shell-and-tube heat exchangers including bundle pull/inspection/reinstall; support work on distillation columns, hydrolysis towers, and distillation systems.
- Pressure vessels & process equipment: Assist with ASME-coded pressure vessel and refinery tower maintenance; support inspections, internal entry prep, and reassembly of large vertical vessels.
- Rigging & handling: Plan and execute basic rigging to move pumps, motors, exchanger bundles, and piping components; inspect and properly use slings, shackles, and lifting devices per safety standards.
- Machine shop & fabrication: Use micrometers, calipers, dial indicators, and other metrology tools; operate manual equipment (engine lathe, Bridgeport-style mill, drill press, broaching tools); drill, tap, fabricate, and modify parts; machine and fit keyways and shafts.
- Preventative & predictive maintenance: Perform preventative and corrective work on hydrolysis, distillation, fractionation, separations, utilities, and logistics systems; capture accurate CMMS documentation; propose improvements to procedures and reliability practices; maintain tools, rigging, and shop areas in safe condition.
- Outage & operational support: Participate in major outages, shutdowns, and turnarounds; work extended hours or alternate shifts as required; provide lubrication support, equipment inspections, and broad mechanical troubleshooting; support TRT's annual shutdown.
Qualifications
Required
- High School Diploma or GED.
- 3+ years of industrial mechanical maintenance in a refinery, chemical plant, power plant, or similar heavy industrial setting OR completion of a recognized Industrial Maintenance, Millwright, or Mechanical Technology program.
- Hands-on experience with centrifugal pump repair and precision alignment (laser or dial indication).
- Working knowledge of bolted flange assembly practices.
- Experience operating manual machine tools (lathe and milling machine).
- Ability to read and interpret mechanical drawings, P&IDs, and equipment manuals.
- Proficiency with precision measurement tools (micrometers, calipers, dial indicators).
- Working knowledge of steam systems and steam traps.
- Capable of performing rigging tasks safely.
- Familiar with Lockout/Tagout and refinery safety procedures.
Preferred
- Formal Millwright or Industrial Mechanic apprenticeship.
- NCCER Industrial Maintenance or Millwright certification.
- OSHA 10 or OSHA 30.
- Confined Space Entry and Fall Protection training.
- Experience with shell & tube heat exchangers and ASME pressure vessels.
- Background in oleochemical, chemical, or refinery operations.
Work environment & physical demands
- Work outdoors in all weather conditions.
- Use of PPE; tasks may occur in confined spaces.
- Frequent walking, standing, lifting, pushing, pulling, and carrying up to 50 lbs.
- Climb stairs and ladders up to 120 feet.
- Lift equipment up to and exceeding 40 lbs to perform maintenance.
- Turn valves, move handles, and work overhead.
Core proficiencies
- Mechanical troubleshooting
- Maintenance and repair
- Equipment diagnostics & troubleshooting
- Mechanical systems & component repair
- Lockout/Tagout (LOTO)
- Equipment repair & maintenance
- Equipment installation