Equipment & Maintenance Engineer (Expansion Project)

HHLA PLT Italy; Friuli-Venezia Giulia; On-site; EUR 40,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

HHLA PLT Italy seeks a hands-on Equipment & Maintenance Engineer to support the delivery of new terminal equipment and to develop maintenance processes across the terminal.

You will manage the full equipment lifecycle from specification through commissioning, maintenance planning, and asset management, collaborating with Expansion Project Team and operations to ensure safe, reliable operation.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Mechatronics, Automation, or Industrial Engineering.
• 5-10 years of relevant experience in port equipment, heavy industry, terminal operations, maintenance engineering, EPC projects, industrial machinery, or similar environments.
• Solid understanding of lifecycle management, including procurement, commissioning, maintenance, and operational support.
• Experience with maintenance planning, reliability improvement, contract management, and technical troubleshooting.
• Fluency in Italian and English for daily coordination with local stakeholders and international OEMs.

Responsibilities

• Plan, organize and execute procurement, delivery, testing and commissioning activities for assigned equipment packages, aligned with approved project schedules.
• Analyze operational, maintenance, and project requirements to support equipment specifications and technical solutions.
• Support the development and continuous improvement of maintenance strategies, procedures, and asset management processes for terminal equipment.
• Contribute to preventive, predictive, and corrective maintenance planning to maximize equipment reliability and availability.
• Monitor equipment performance, investigate failures, and support root cause analysis and improvement initiatives.
• Coordinate day-to-day with OEMs, suppliers, service providers, and contractors; track progress, manage issues, and drive timely resolution of risks and delays.
• Support and apply company QA/QC and HSE procedures; contribute to FAT/SAT planning and execution, commissioning activities, and equipment handover processes.
• Prepare and maintain technical documentation including schedules, reports, technical deliverables, maintenance records, change logs, and handover dossiers (incl. CE documentation).
• Collaborate with operations, maintenance personnel, civil, automation/IT, and QHSE teams to ensure safe and efficient equipment operation throughout the asset lifecycle.
• Support budgeting, forecasting, spare parts planning, lifecycle planning, and management reporting activities.
• Contribute to the integration of new equipment into terminal operations, maintenance systems, and long-term asset management processes.
• Follow corporate authority matrix and contract/policy compliance guidelines.
• Proactively identify improvement opportunities and report them to the Head of Equipment.

Skills

Italian

English

Stakeholder management

Mechanical knowledge

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Mechatronics, Automation, or Industrial Engineering

Tools

CMMS/EAM

Job description

About the terminal:

HHLA PLT Italy operates a multipurpose terminal and is preparing for a significant increase in capacity through the ongoing expansion project adding a new pier with remote / partially automated STS cranes, a yard with remote / partially automated RTG and a rail yard with remote / partially automated RMG. As new equipment is progressively being commissioned and handed over to the operations teams, part of the task is the preparation of a maintenance approach with suitable concept.

Role summary:

We are seeking a hands-on Equipment & Maintenance Engineer to support both the delivery of future terminal equipment and the continuous development of equipment management and maintenance activities across the terminal.

The role spans the full equipment lifecycle, including specification support, procurement, delivery, testing and commissioning, operational readiness, maintenance planning, reliability improvement, and long-term asset management. You will work closely with both the Expansion Project Team and terminal operations, supporting the successful introduction of new equipment while contributing to the development of maintenance processes, systems, and standards for existing and future assets.

Key responsibilities include coordinating suppliers and internal stakeholders (operations, automation/IT, civil, QHSE, and maintenance teams) and ensuring that all deliverables within your scope are completed on time, within budget, and in line with required quality and safety standards.

Scope of work & key responsibilities:

• Plan, organize and execute procurement, delivery, testing and commissioning activities for assigned equipment packages, aligned with approved project schedules.


• Analyze operational, maintenance, and project requirements to support equipment specifications and technical solutions.


• Support the development and continuous improvement of maintenance strategies, procedures, and asset management processes for terminal equipment.


• Contribute to preventive, predictive, and corrective maintenance planning to maximize equipment reliability and availability.


• Monitor equipment performance, investigate failures, and support root cause analysis and improvement initiatives.


• Coordinate day-to-day with OEMs, suppliers, service providers, and contractors; track progress, manage issues, and drive timely resolution of risks and delays.


• Support and apply company QA/QC and HSE procedures; contribute to FAT/SAT planning and execution, commissioning activities, and equipment handover processes.


• Prepare and maintain technical documentation including schedules, reports, technical deliverables, maintenance records, change logs, and handover dossiers (incl. CE documentation).


• Collaborate with operations, maintenance personnel, civil, automation/IT, and QHSE teams to ensure safe and efficient equipment operation throughout the asset lifecycle.


• Support budgeting, forecasting, spare parts planning, lifecycle planning, and management reporting activities.


• Contribute to the integration of new equipment into terminal operations, maintenance systems, and long-term asset management processes.


• Follow corporate authority matrix and contract/policy compliance guidelines.


• Proactively identify improvement opportunities and report them to the Head of Equipment.

What you bring:

• Italian and English for daily coordination with local stakeholders and international OEMs.


• Knowledge of the Italian context (local practices, stakeholders, and working culture) is a plus to be able to operate effectively with authorities, utilities, and local service providers.


• 5-10 years of relevant experience in port equipment, heavy industry, terminal operations, maintenance engineering, EPC projects, industrial machinery, or similar environments.


• Solid understanding of lifecycle management, including procurement, commissioning, maintenance, and operational support.


• Experience with maintenance planning, reliability improvement, contract management, and technical troubleshooting.


• Solid fundamentals in mechanical, mechatronics, or industrial engineering; electrical and/or automation/IT experience is a strong plus (e.g., drives/VFDs, PLC/SCADA basics, power distribution, automation sensors and systems).


• Familiarity with equipment procurement, vendor coordination, commissioning activities, and maintenance support.


• Working awareness of / experience with HSE and machinery regulations is a plus:


• D. Lgs. 81/2008 (salute e sicurezza nei luoghi di lavoro)


• EU Machinery Directive / CE compliance requirements


• CEI standards for electrical safety (e.g. CEI 11-27)


• Interactions with INAIL/ISPESL or notified bodies during inspections and approvals


• Structured, proactive, and solution-oriented; strong communication, coordination, and documentation skills.


• Bachelor's Degree (BSc) in Mechanical, Electrical, Mechatronics, Automation, or Industrial Engineering (or equivalent).

Advantageous:

• Exposure to port equipment (STS, RTG/RMG/ARMG) or heavy cranes, lifting equipment, and automated systems.


• Experience supporting FAT/SAT, commissioning, operational readiness, and equipment handover activities.


• Experience with maintenance management systems (CMMS/EAM) and asset performance monitoring.


• Understanding of reliability engineering principles, root cause analysis, and continuous improvement methodologies.


• Understanding of public/private procurement processes and contracting practices.

Why join:

• Help shape the future of a modern container terminal in the Adriatic.


• Take ownership of equipment reliability and maintenance strategy already before equipment has been bought.


• Work in an organization where technical expertise has a direct impact.

Salary range

40.000-65.000€

The salary range indicated represents the expected compensation for the position. The final compensation package will be determined at the end of the recruitment process, considering professional experience, skills, and overall suitability for the role.

As an international logistics company with its roots in Hamburg, HHLA stands for cosmopolitanism and tolerance. We are convinced of the advantages of different perspectives, experiences and competences. Our aim is to create a working environment in which humanity, mutual respect and appreciation are the basis for the actions of all employees.

If you would like to shape the future of HHLA PLT Italy & Logistica Giuliana together with us, we look forward to receiving your detailed application - preferably online via our application form.

Disclaimer: This job description may not be inclusive of all assigned duties, responsibilities, or aspects of the job described and may be amended at any time at the sole discretion of the Employer