Refractory Maintenance Master Engineer

About the role

The Refractory Maintenance Master Engineer is the technical authority for refractory systems in a pelletising plant, covering Travelling Grate, Rotary Kiln, Annular Cooler and Gas Generator technologies. The role drives maintenance strategies, extends refractory campaign life, and improves equipment reliability while introducing innovative materials and methods.

Key responsibilities

• Develop and implement refractory asset‑management and inspection programmes.
• Lead failure investigations, root‑cause analysis (RCFA) and reliability studies (FMEA).
• Optimize campaign life, equipment availability and reliability through new materials and technologies.
• Plan and support shutdown scopes, preventive maintenance and major outage activities.
• Prepare scopes of work, technical specifications and evaluate contractor bids.
• Monitor KPIs, manage budgets and drive continuous improvement.
• Mentor maintenance teams and provide technical guidance on complex refractory issues.

Required profile

• Bachelor’s degree in Materials, Ceramic, Metallurgical, Chemical Engineering or related field (Master’s preferred).
• Minimum 15 years of refractory engineering experience.
• At least 5 years in high‑temperature process industries such as pelletising, ironmaking, steelmaking, cement or lime.
• Strong hands‑on experience with Travelling Grate, Rotary Kiln, Annular Cooler and Gas Generator equipment.

Required skills

• Travelling Grate Systems
• Rotary Kilns
• Annular Coolers
• Gas Generators
• Thermographic inspections
• Endoscopy
• Shell temperature monitoring
• Refractory wear assessment
• RCFA (Root Cause Failure Analysis)
• FMEA (Failure Mode Effects Analysis)
• Reliability engineering
• Refractory failure analysis
• Refractory asset management
• Contract management
• KPI monitoring