Job description for a mechanical supervisor offshore?

Mechanical Supervisor (Offshore) — Job Description

Supervises offshore mechanical maintenance and reliability activities for rotating/static equipment, ensuring asset integrity, safe execution, and production uptime under a formal Permit to Work system.

I. Core Responsibilities

• I.1 Plan, prioritize, and supervise preventive/corrective maintenance for rotating equipment (diesel generators, pumps, compressors, seawater/firewater systems, HVAC, hydraulics/pneumatics) and static equipment (valves, piping, heat exchangers, tanks).
• I.2 Lead daily toolbox talks, Job Safety Analyses, and Permit to Work (hot/cold work, confined space, working at height); enforce isolations/LOTO and mechanical process safety barriers.
• I.3 Coordinate breakdown response and troubleshooting; develop fault trees, isolate root cause, and restore equipment with minimum impact to production/flare.
• I.4 Execute condition monitoring and reliability tasks: vibration data collection, oil analysis, thermography, ultrasonic leak checks, laser alignment, and balancing.
• I.5 Oversee rigging and lifting for mechanical scopes (equipment change-outs, exchanger bundle pulls, motor replacements); approve lift plans and verify WLL/SWL compliance.
• I.6 Manage vendor interventions and commissioning activities; verify method statements, test packages, and mechanical completion/punch closeout.
• I.7 Review and mark up P&IDs, isometrics, GA drawings; perform mechanical walkdowns; verify pressure testing, torquing, flange management, and reinstatement.
• I.8 Own the offshore CMMS work queue: plan work orders, define spares/consumables, capture actuals, and close out with failure codes and lessons learned.
• I.9 Lead integrity-critical checks: PSV removal/installation, critical flange bolting, pipe supports/hangers, cooling water strainers, and emergency equipment readiness.
• I.10 Mentor mechanical technicians/fitters; verify competence, authorize permits, and conduct on-the-job training and competency assessments.
• I.11 Interface with Operations for start-up/shutdown windows; optimize maintenance windows aligned with production constraints and SIMOPS.
• I.12 Maintain safety and environmental compliance; report deviations, raise work requests, and support incident investigations and RCA actions.

II. Required Skills and Physical Demands

• II.1 Technical
  • II.1.a Rotating equipment expertise: pumps (centrifugal/PD), compressors (recip/centrifugal/screw), diesel engines/generators, fans/blowers, gearboxes, seals/bearings.
  • II.1.b Static/mechanical: valves (manual/actuated), piping systems, heat exchangers, pressure testing, flange management, bolting/tensioning.
  • II.1.c Hydraulics/pneumatics: HPUs, accumulators, filtration, actuators, proportional controls, leaks diagnosis.
  • II.1.d Maintenance strategies: RCM, CBM, criticality ranking, spares strategies, defect elimination, FMECA inputs.
  • II.1.e Integrity/process safety: isolation standards, PSV handling, hazardous area awareness, ignition control, barrier health.
  • II.1.f Reading technical documents: datasheets, P&IDs, isometrics, torque tables, equipment manuals, lifting plans.
• II.2 Soft Skills
  • II.2.a Leadership and crew supervision; coaching, constructive feedback, and competence assurance.
  • II.2.b Planning and prioritization under production pressure; clear shift handovers and escalation.
  • II.2.c Risk management; quality control; vendor coordination and conflict resolution.
  • II.2.d Communication with multicultural crews; concise reporting to platform leadership and onshore support.
• II.3 Physical Demands
  • II.3.a Offshore medical fitness; ability to work 12-hour shifts and extended rotations.
  • II.3.b Working at height, confined spaces, heat/cold, salt spray; frequent climbing and use of harnesses.
  • II.3.c Manual handling within approved limits; use of PPE and respiratory protection as required.
• II.4 Certifications (typical/estimated)
  • II.4.a Offshore survival and helicopter escape; H2S; first aid.
  • II.4.b Permit to Work issuer; isolating authority/LOTO; confined space entry supervisor.
  • II.4.c Rigging and lifting supervisor/slinger; flange bolting/torquing competency; condition monitoring level II+.

III. Typical Tools, Software, and Equipment Used

• III.1 CMMS/EAM: maintenance planning, work order management, failure coding, backlog control.
• III.2 Digital PTW and isolation management systems; electronic JSA/TRA forms; shift log systems.
• III.3 Condition monitoring: vibration analyzers/route collectors, ultrasonic testers, thermal cameras, oil sampling kits, laser alignment tools, portable balancers.
• III.4 Mechanical: hydraulic torque/tensioning tools, calibrated torque wrenches, stud heaters, flange spreaders/pullers, dial indicators, micrometers, borescopes.
• III.5 Lifting: chain blocks/come-alongs, slings/shackles, load cells, beam clamps, temporary lifting frames, taglines, spreader bars.
• III.6 Testing: pressure test pumps, gauges, deadweight testers, flow meters, vibration pickups, tachometers.
• III.7 Documentation: P&IDs, isometrics, GAs, torque tables, vendor manuals, 3D models/digital twins (if available), flange management software.
• III.8 Utilities: nitrogen/helium leak testing, flushing rigs, filtration skids, chemical cleaning rigs.

IV. Work Environment

• IV.1 Offshore installations: fixed platforms, FPSOs, or jack-ups; hazardous areas with hydrocarbon inventory.
• IV.2 Rotations: common patterns 14/14, 21/21, or 28/28; 12-hour shifts with on-call duties for critical equipment.
• IV.3 Travel by helicopter/crew boat; periodic onshore visits for training/shutdown planning.
• IV.4 SIMOPS exposure during drilling/workovers, campaigns, and shutdown/turnarounds.
• IV.5 Emergency response team participation (fire, spill, rescue) per installation requirements.

V. Reporting Lines and Cross-Functional Interfaces

• V.1 Reporting
  • V.1.a Reports to Maintenance Superintendent or Offshore Installation Manager for daily priorities and performance KPIs.
  • V.1.b Supervises mechanical technicians/fitters, mechanics, riggers, and vendor specialists.
• V.2 Interfaces
  • V.2.a Operations/control room for permits, isolations, start-up/shutdown coordination, and production deferrals.
  • V.2.b E&I supervisors for MCC isolations, motor testing, instrument reinstatement, and interlocks.
  • V.2.c HSE for PTW audits, lift plans, risk assessments, and incident follow-up.
  • V.2.d Planning/materials/warehouse for spares, repairs, and logistic constraints.
  • V.2.e Onshore rotating/static equipment engineers for complex troubleshooting, reliability studies, and MoCs.
  • V.2.f Marine/crane operations for lifts, deck management, and SIMOPS coordination.

VI. Career Ladder and Progression

VI.A Next-Step Roles (estimated)

• VI.A.1 Senior Mechanical Supervisor or Campaign/Shutdown Mechanical Lead.
• VI.A.2 Maintenance Superintendent/Lead (offshore) overseeing multi-discipline maintenance.
• VI.A.3 Onshore Rotating Equipment Engineer or Maintenance/Reliability Engineer.
• VI.A.4 Offshore Maintenance Manager or Asset Integrity Lead.

VI.B What’s Needed to Move Up

• VI.B.1 Demonstrated delivery of zero LTI execution across shutdowns/major equipment overhauls.
• VI.B.2 Strong CMMS data discipline, failure analysis (RCA, 5-Whys), and reliability improvements (mean-time-between-failure uplift).
• VI.B.3 Advanced competencies: complex lifts planning, dynamic balancing, precision alignment, pressure testing oversight.
• VI.B.4 Additional certifications: permit-issuing authority, rigging and lifting supervisor, condition monitoring III, pressure systems responsible person.
• VI.B.5 Proven leadership: crew development, contractor management, cost control, and KPI delivery.

VI.C Deliverables & Interfaces

• VI.C.1 Daily maintenance plan, shift report, and KPI updates to platform leadership and onshore maintenance.
• VI.C.2 Work order closeouts with technical findings, failure codes, and recommendations to reliability engineering.
• VI.C.3 Isolation certificates and PTW documentation to control room/operations; lifting plans to HSE/crane operations.
• VI.C.4 Spare parts requests and stock reviews to materials/warehouse; repairable returns tracking to logistics.
• VI.C.5 Commissioning/MC dossiers, punch lists, and redlines to project/commissioning teams.

VI.D Toolchain Snapshot

• VI.D.1 CMMS/EAM platform; digital PTW/isolations; electronic shift log.
• VI.D.2 Vibration/ultrasonic/IR tools; laser alignment and portable balancing kits.
• VI.D.3 Hydraulic torquing/tensioning systems; flange management and torque databases.
• VI.D.4 Pressure testing packages, gauges, and calibration tools; borescope and metrology instruments.
• VI.D.5 Drawings/document control access (P&IDs, GAs, isometrics, 3D models).

VI.E Progression Trigger (estimated)

VI.E.1 Typically promoted after 24–36 months in-role with successful delivery of 2–3 shutdowns or 8–12 major equipment overhauls, strong audit results, and attainment of advanced PTW, rigging supervisor, and condition monitoring certifications.

VII. Role Highlights

• VII.1 Ensures mechanical asset integrity and maximizes uptime in a high-hazard environment.
• VII.2 Balances safe, compliant execution with production objectives and logistics constraints.
• VII.3 Develops crew capability and embeds reliability culture through data-driven maintenance.