Pieter Van Zyl
New Plymouth,TKI
Summary
I am an experienced Electrical, Instrumentation and Automation Engineer. I have significant experience in electrical, instrumentation and control systems engineering, functional safety and electromechanical maintenance, from an array of different industries. Hardworking Electrical and Automations Engineer bringing 35+ years of experience performing diverse maintenance and repair duties. Dedicated to maintaining optimal equipment functionality by managing routine and complex equipment and facility matters. Strong knowledge of hand and power tool operation and safety measures.
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
Work History
Electrical Asset Engineer
Nova Energy
06.2023 - Current
- Enhanced asset reliability by implementing comprehensive maintenance strategies and procedures.
- Optimized asset performance through continuous improvement initiatives and root cause analysis.
- Reduced equipment downtime by conducting thorough inspections and addressing potential issues proactively.
- Improved overall operational efficiency with the development of standard operating procedures for asset management activities.
Electrical & Control Systems Engineer
Nestle Purina
04.2022 - 05.2023
- Provide leadership, strategic direction and management of the maintenance and improvement on plant and equipment
- Driving improvement strategies to bring plant and equipment up to date with the latest available technology, maintaining compliance with international food and beverage, and hygiene standards
- A relentless focus on asset integrity, reliability and asset performance improvement in order to optimise maintenance and engineering costs.
Asset Engineer I&E
Refining NZ
11.2019 - 03.2022
- Provide leadership, strategic direction and management of the maintenance and improvement on plant and equipment
- Accountable for ensuring the integrity, reliability and availability of the refinery’s plant and equipment while maintaining safety, hazardous area installations and environmental standards at lowest sustainable costs
- A relentless focus on asset integrity, reliability and asset performance improvement in order to optimise maintenance and engineering costs.
Asset Standards Engineer
Powerco
06.2018 - 11.2019
- The preparation and delivery of appropriate technical engineering documentation that enhances the safety, durability and reliability of assets used in the electricity networks
- The range of documentation includes but is not necessarily limited to: Materials and equipment specifications, Design and construction requirements, Maintenance strategies, New Standards for the Distribution Networks, Operation of switchgear operating procedures, Engineering instructions, Keeping change request records for future standards update reference
- Support and where appropriate promote the requirements of the Powerco Standards Agreement
- Legitimate requests from participating Standards Agreement organisations are appropriately handled in a professional way.
Snr. E&I Engineer (Contractor)
Plant and Platform NZ
04.2018 - 06.2018
- Deliver professional electrical/instrumentation engineering services to the Plant and Platform (P&P) client base
- As Engineering house in the Oil and Gas industry, P&P prides itself as being the best service provider in this field of expertise
- My responsibility was to deliver engineering design packages Liquigas to their specifications for an upgrade project in the Port Taranaki LPG Gas Depot, varying from flow element resizing to designing LPG Import capabilities via the Newton King Warf LPG Liquid loading arm facilities to existing equipment, and upgrading and improvement of aged/ matured equipment, to improve plant performance and throughput in the most cost-effective way
- Perform SIL assessments and verifications for various projects.
E&I Engineer (Contractor)
LOGICAMMS NZ
12.2017 - 01.2018
- Deliver professional electrical/instrumentation engineering services to the Logicamms NZ client base
- As Engineering house in the Oil and Gas industry, Logicamms prides itself as being the best service provider in this field of expertise
- My responsibility was to deliver engineering design packages to the clients’ specifications, varying from flow element resizing to designing remote start capabilities to existing equipment, and upgrading and improvement of aged/ matured equipment, to improve plant performance and throughput in the most cost-effective way
- Perform SIL assessments and verifications and HAZOP studies for various projects.
Electrical/Mechanical (Contractor)
HAARSLEV INDUSTRIES
08.2017 - 12.2017
- On this project I built a 11-chamber belt dryer with ancillary equipment for the Wanganui Waste Water Treatment plant
- The bulk of the work was mechanical fabrication and heavy structural construction with some instrumentation installs
- I was also the electrical subject matter expert in a consultant capacity for Haarslev Industries as they used third party electrical contractors for the electrical installations on the equipment.
I&C Asset Engineer
VECTOR Ltd
11.2014 - 07.2017
- As the custodian and technical authority of instrument, electrical and control systems assets at the Kapuni Gas Treatment facility, my focus was compliance, asset integrity, reliability and performance improvement/ enhancement, optimising maintenance and reducing costs
- We completed a major review of our maintenance strategies comparing our current maintenance regimes with industry best practice
- We changed the philosophy of our maintenance practices resulting in maintenance cost reduction of more than $3M per annum
- Perform SIL assessments and verifications for various projects.
Snr. Instrumentation and Electrical Engineer
TECHNIP NZ
11.2012 - 11.2014
- Deliver professional electrical/instrumentation engineering services to the Technip NZ client base
- As and EPC in the Oil and Gas industry, Technip prides itself as being the best service provider in this field of expertise
- My responsibility was to ensure that we deliver projects of the highest and most safety conscious standards which comply with all relevant local and international safety standards and global industry best practices in a professional manner
- Involved in various projects varying from brownfield upgrades to existing installations, such as upgrades to the Safety Instrumented Systems on the Maari oil and gas platform and FLPSO of OMV in the Taranaki Basin
- Commissioning/ Completions Manager for the Execution of the Wellsite Development Project of Todd Energy’s Mangahewa Gas field which had a mix of successes and failures
- This plant was the first modulised built facility in the South Pacific/ Australasia region
- Factors beyond the control of Technip, resulted in the project not being delivered on time and it went over budget by approximately $5M as this was a negotiated fixed price contract.
Electrical Engineer
SOLID ENERGY NZ LTD
01.2011 - 10.2012
- As the National Electrical Engineer, my main focus was to improve productivity, reduce maintenance costs and improve the reliability of all the electrical assets of Solid Energy’s operations throughout New Zealand
- I achieved significant successes in the reliability of the underground electrical equipment through continuous monitoring and auditing of maintenance strategies
- While in this role I represented the Coal Mining Industry of New Zealand on AS/NZS Standards Committee 023 and working group
- Due to a downturn in the economy and Coal prices, Solid Energy was forced to reduce its staff count by more than 700 and my role was identified as one of the roles to be disestablished.
Lead Electrical and Control Systems Engineer
TRANSFIELD SERVICES NZ
04.2009 - 12.2010
- This role was a maintenance contract position with Carter Holt Harvey pulp mill in Kawerau, tasked with ensuring the integrity and reliability of all control systems and H.V
- And M.V
- Equipment
- The control systems included Bailey INFI 90 DCS systems, Delta V DCS systems, Control Logix 5 & 5000 with interfaces to Proficy iFIX and the various DCS systems on DH+, Devicenet, ControlNet, Ethernet and foundation fieldbus.
Project Support Engineer
HONEYWELL
08.2007 - 12.2008
- My role was to provide engineering support to project teams within Honeywell NZ
- I was part of the project team who designed and developed the control systems for the Mighty River Geothermal Power Station in Kawerau
- I successfully commissioned this plant with the Fuji electrical team who built and designed the Turbine Generator for MRP, from March 2008 to December 2008
- The high voltage (11kV) equipment included: Bush OCB's, ABB Air break switches, S&C Alduti Rupter air break switches.
Senior Control Systems Technician
RICHARDS BAY COAL TERMINALS – SOUTH AFRICA
- 01.2007
Maintenance Manager/ PMO
ANGLO VAAL MINING AND MINERAL – SOUTH AFRICA
Maintenance Supervisor
ANGLO VAAL AMPLATS PLATINUM MINE – SOUTH AFRICA
Instrumentation Foreman
SASOL – SOUTH AFRICA
Electronic Technician
HIGHVELD STEEL – SOUTH AFRICA
Millwright
Iscor Steel (Now Ispat / Mittal Steel) – South Africa
Education
National Engineering Diploma (Electrical) - Electrical Engineering
Department of Education
South Africa05.2002
Skills
- A Bias for Action
- Strategic Thinking
- Relationship Management
- Negotiations
- Communication skills
- Software Proficiency: MS Excel, PowerPoint, Project, Office, Windows and Word – all Intermediate, SAP, Intermediate, RCA2Go, Intermediate (Self Taught), ETAP (Self Taught), ACAD Electrical; Intermediate (Self Taught), FLIR Reporter Pro
- Asset Management
- Team Leadership
- Project Management
- Contractor Oversight
- Continuous Improvement
- Employee Scheduling
- Expense Tracking
- Electrical Systems
- Root Cause Analysis
- Computerized Maintenance Management System
- Cost Control
- Budget Management
- Computer Skills
- Performance Reviewing
- Written Communication
- Time Management
- Interpersonal Communication
- Problem-Solving Abilities
- Multitasking Abilities
- Problem-Solving
- Adaptability and Flexibility
- Positive Attitude
- Performance Evaluations
- Problem Resolution
- Professional and Courteous
- Financial Management
- Decision-Making
- Problem-Solving Aptitude
- Professionalism
- Schedule Management
- Budgeting and Cost Control
- Safety Compliance
- Predictive Maintenance
- Employee Performance Evaluation
- Lockout and Tagout Procedures
- Resource Allocation
- Installation Management
- Contractor Management
- Preventive Maintenance
- Employee Performance Assessment
Professional Memberships Affiliations
- Member of the EEA NZ
- Professional Engineering Technician with the South African Engineering Association.
Interests Extramural Activities
In my spare time, I enjoy working on cars and rebuilding engines. I am a keen golfer, enjoy to go fishing and spending quality time with my lovely family.
I stay fit and healthy and am an outdoors person who loves nature and all the wonderful things it offers us.
Qualifications Occupational Training
- Department of Education (Richards Bay Polytech), South Africa, National Diploma in Electrical Engineering, 2002
- Damelin College of Management, South Africa, Higher Certificate in Project Management (PMI)
- HIMA Paul Hildebrandt GmbH - Germany, FS Engineer (TϋV Rheinland), 2002
- Occupational Training, Siemens Simatic PLC's programming and Siemens Simovis for VSDs, DeltaV Implementation and programming, Honeywell XPS R300 Programming, Garnett Cross Advanced Hydraulics, Wonderware, 2017
References
Contact details available on request.
Affiliations
- Engineering NZ Member
Golf
I am a keen Golfer who enjoys the time out in the sun. It forms part of my weekly exercise program.
Languages
Afrikaans
Native or Bilingual
English
Full Professional
Timeline
Electrical Asset Engineer
Nova Energy
06.2023 - Current
Electrical & Control Systems Engineer
Nestle Purina
04.2022 - 05.2023
Asset Engineer I&E
Refining NZ
11.2019 - 03.2022
Asset Standards Engineer
Powerco
06.2018 - 11.2019
Snr. E&I Engineer (Contractor)
Plant and Platform NZ
04.2018 - 06.2018
E&I Engineer (Contractor)
LOGICAMMS NZ
12.2017 - 01.2018
Electrical/Mechanical (Contractor)
HAARSLEV INDUSTRIES
08.2017 - 12.2017
I&C Asset Engineer
VECTOR Ltd
11.2014 - 07.2017
Snr. Instrumentation and Electrical Engineer
TECHNIP NZ
11.2012 - 11.2014
Electrical Engineer
SOLID ENERGY NZ LTD
01.2011 - 10.2012
Lead Electrical and Control Systems Engineer
TRANSFIELD SERVICES NZ
04.2009 - 12.2010
Project Support Engineer
HONEYWELL
08.2007 - 12.2008
Senior Control Systems Technician
RICHARDS BAY COAL TERMINALS – SOUTH AFRICA
- 01.2007
Maintenance Manager/ PMO
ANGLO VAAL MINING AND MINERAL – SOUTH AFRICA
Maintenance Supervisor
ANGLO VAAL AMPLATS PLATINUM MINE – SOUTH AFRICA
Instrumentation Foreman
SASOL – SOUTH AFRICA
Electronic Technician
HIGHVELD STEEL – SOUTH AFRICA
Millwright
Iscor Steel (Now Ispat / Mittal Steel) – South Africa
National Engineering Diploma (Electrical) - Electrical Engineering
Department of Education