Case studies: Condition monitoring programme engineer: Terence

Terence has worked for a large energy supplier since 2007 after joining its graduate scheme. He is a graduate of BEng Electrical and Electronic Engineering from the University of Teesside...

After starting the graduate training scheme I moved through several areas of the company before taking up my final role in systems health, working in drainage and sewage. I was appointed to my current role after being with the company for about two years.

The principles of engineering from my degree are relevant, however the majority of my job is mechanical not electrical; but it still comes in handy now and again.

On a daily basis I undertake the analysis of condition monitoring data, fill out condition monitoring reports and set up new condition monitoring routines. I have a technician who takes the majority of readings for me, which is a job I used to do myself as well as the analysis. I still do this however in busy periods or for non-routine things. I am mentoring the technician in analysis as well, so they can cover for me when needed.

My job also involves developing documentation and training materials to raise general awareness of condition monitoring.
 
In my role I have grown the scope of condition monitoring from around 180 routines to over 300. I have also incorporated more technologies into condition monitoring, which has increased the workload and meant that we needed the data collection technician. I am now looking to hire a further technician to specialise in greasing. In developing the condition monitoring database and the FLAIR dashboard, I have made the role more reliant on IT skills.

My ambition is to move into more of a programme-owner role and take less of a day-to-day role by doing more mentoring and training - although I'll still be an analyst and will occasionally collect data. Eventually, I would like a complete training/mentorship role. 

I enjoy the challenge of determining the cause of problems and making improvements to the programme. I also really enjoy mentoring the staff in condition monitoring technologies. I also get to play with some specialist tools and see some interesting things.

The difficult parts are answering questions such as 'how long will it last?' - something that is almost impossible to answer and avoid in my position. Another challenge is getting action taken following recommendations but this is something I'm tackling with training and increasing awareness.
 
If you'd like to get into this career I would suggest that you do your research before your interview and put everything you can into the assessment centre. If you get a job, put yourself up for work and help out wherever you can, as this is where the real learning begins. Soon enough you will be an experienced engineer writing advice to budding young engineers like you used to be.

AGCAS

Sourced by the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET)

Date: 

January 2013

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