Fuel Systems Engineer

Description:

• EL 1 - $120,290 - $129,379 per annum plus superannuation
• Australian Antarctic Division
• Hobart, TAS

Are you a highly motivated engineer who looks at things and only sees innovative solutions to complex technical challenges?

Well than, the Australian Antarctic Division has a role for you. You could be part of a dynamic, fast paced team that is helping to bring engineering solutions to infrastructure in Antarctica.

Who we are
The Australian Antarctic Division (AAD) is part of the Commonwealth Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water. As primary agency for Australia's Antarctic Program (AAP), the AAD is responsible for achieving the Australian Government's Antarctic goals. These goals are to:

• maintain the Antarctic Treaty System and enhance Australia's influence within it
• protect the Antarctic environment
• understand the role of Antarctica in the global climate system
• undertake scientific work of practical, economic and national significance.

The AAD also has responsibility for administering the Australian Antarctic Territory and the Territory of Heard Island and McDonald Islands.

The Assets and Technology (A&T) Branch provides and maintains the equipment and infrastructure to support the AAP. A&T Branch activities range from the maintenance of existing Antarctic stations and equipment through to the design, manufacture, testing, operation and procurement of advanced scientific equipment and systems. The Branch manages major infrastructure projects in support of AAP outcomes.

Within the A&T Branch, the Infrastructure Strategy and Planning (ISP) Section fulfils the role of asset owner for the AAD’s research station infrastructure. The section provides engineering and asset management expertise, develops maintenance planning, drawing management, and inventory systems to support maintenance, operation and construction at the AAD’s stations. The section also oversees 3-year and 10-year infrastructure planning and coordinates the AAD’s station master planning.

The Job
The position will provide bulk fuel engineering expertise, project delivery capability and maintenance management to support both existing and new research station fuel infrastructure. The role will involve a range of fuel system engineering aspects including

• pipes, pumps, tanks and bunds
• stress and temperature analyses
• instrumentation, SCADA and control systems
• environmental analysis and compliance
• hazardous areas and dangerous goods analysis
• ship-to-shore fuel transfer
• energy efficiency and low-carbon transition planning
• energy and fuel security risk management.

The AAD has three permanently occupied Antarctic stations and another station on sub-Antarctic Macquarie Island. The stations are distant from each other, and each has a fully independent energy system. Each station has a main powerhouse and an emergency powerhouse with electrical and thermal co-generation using a cold weather diesel called Special Antarctic Blend (SAB). The stations also use diesel fired hot water heaters to boost the hydronic heating system and have a fuel bowser for refuelling heavy plant and equipment. Each station has a bulk storage fuel farm consisting of multiple medium sized tanks contained in a concrete bund. Diesel fuel is piped to a series of satellite settling tanks for delivery to the point of use. Each Antarctic station has storage of greater than one million litres of diesel fuel. Each station is also supplied with drummed aviation turbine kerosene and unleaded petrol for aviation, boating and light vehicle use. The AAD has had a number of failures within the fuel systems over the past decade and has been progressively updating aspects of the aged pipe network, to reduce the likelihood of fuel spills. There is a need to renew the bulk fuel assets and the overall delivery approach.

What we are looking for
Knowledge and experience
The successful candidate will ideally have a good combination of:

• Detailed technical knowledge and extensive experience in fuel systems engineering.
• Extensive knowledge of mechanical piping and fuel transfer systems.
• Detailed understanding of project lifecycles and application of engineering principles with design and construction knowledge covering performance, functionality, operation, maintenance and risks.
• Site supervision or experience in the remote management of fuel systems installation and commissioning work including factory acceptance testing.
• An appreciation of cold weather engineering or experience working in these types of environments and the unique challenges they face.
• Managing the engagement of specialist consultants and contractors as required to ensure delivery of designs and materials are fit for purpose.

Skills and capabilities
We are seeking candidates who have:

• Proven engineering and technical capability with sound understanding of the assets in the area of fuel engineering, and good understanding of associated disciplines and how they relate to overall asset effectiveness.
• Ability to think strategically and a demonstrated commitment to values-based decision making.
• Sound influencing skills with the ability to listen, understand and modify positions to achieve mutually acceptable outcomes.
• Problem solving and analytical skills covering strategic, technical and relatively complex operational problems in the context of ambiguity and change.
• Understanding the requirements for planning and overseeing maintenance of existing fuel assets to deliver optimum capacity and reliability.
• Provide technical input into staging, constructability, operability and maintainability and safety in design reviews.
• Deliver (and/or facilitate) training for expeditioner workforce with respect to fuel systems.
• Lead and participate in incident investigation as required.
• Ensuring that all new works (including upgrades) are carried out to current industry standards, such as AS 1940, AS 2885 and API 650.
• Management of quality standards relating to fuel systems including weld procedure approval, inspections and critique of documentation received from external parties.
• Proven ability to build and grow relationships within the agency as well as with end users, external suppliers, and regulatory bodies.

Please note that the successful applicant may be required to travel to the Antarctic and sub-Antarctic regions therefore they may be required to meet specific medical, adaptability and personal qualities requirements appropriate to working in those environments. In order to undertake travel to the Antarctic & sub-Antarctic regions they will need to:

• demonstrate the range of personal qualities and interpersonal skills necessary to perform as a successful team member within isolated Antarctic and sub-Antarctic environments
• demonstrate an ability to effectively adapt and respond to the demands of living and working in an isolated and confined environment as determined by a psychological (adaptability) assessment
• be certified as fit for Antarctic service by the AAD’s Polar Medicine Unit.

Mandatory qualifications

• A bachelor of engineering in a discipline related to fuel engineering, from an Australian university (or an equivalent overseas institution), which qualifies you for full membership of Engineers Australia.

Desirable qualifications

• Chartered status (CPEng) is desirable but not mandatory.
• HAZOP leader is desirable but not mandatory.

Eligibility
Citizenship - To be eligible for employment with the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water you must be an Australian citizen.

Pre-employment Check - Your suitability for employment will be assessed through a pre-employment screening process. This process includes a requirement to undergo and satisfy a National Police Check, referee checks, character clearance and where required a pre-employment medical assessment, specified mandatory qualification(s) validation and a probation period of 6 months.

For additional information, please read the Job Description below.

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