Chief Engineer (Palm Oil Industry)

Private Advertiser; Sabah; On-site; MYR 180,000 - 300,000; Full time

Job summary

Private Advertiser seeks an experienced Mill Chief Engineer to oversee engineering, maintenance, and technical operations of a palm oil mill in Sabah. The role ensures safe, reliable, and efficient operation of all machinery and steam systems while complying with regulatory and company standards.

The candidate should manage maintenance planning, budgets, and upgrades, lead the engineering team, and drive improvements across processes and equipment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field
• Experience leading a Mill Engineering Department or similar heavy industrial operation
• Strong knowledge of palm oil milling processes, equipment and machinery

Responsibilities

• Lead and supervise the Mill Engineering Department.
• Oversee operation and maintenance of boilers, steam turbines, electrical systems, sterilizers, presses, and other mill machinery.
• Ensure safe, efficient and reliable operation of all engineering equipment.
• Plan and monitor preventive and corrective maintenance to minimise downtime.
• Monitor boiler and steam system performance and ensure safe operating practices.
• Ensure compliance with DOSH/JKKP and other regulatory requirements.
• Troubleshoot mechanical, electrical and process-related problems.
• Prepare maintenance schedules, engineering reports and budgets.
• Control spare parts, tools and maintenance costs.
• Lead engineering improvement, modification and upgrading projects.
• Ensure workplace safety, environmental and company procedures.
• Train and develop engineering staff and operators.

Skills

Leadership

Maintenance planning

DOSH compliance

Multilingual communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering

Job description

About the role

We are looking for an experienced and technically competent Mill Chief Engineer to oversee the overall engineering, maintenance and technical operations of our palm oil mill. The successful candidate will be responsible for ensuring the safe, reliable and efficient operation of all engineering equipment, machinery, boiler and steam systems while ensuring compliance with statutory requirements and company standards.

Key responsibilities

• Lead and supervise the Mill Engineering Department.
• Oversee the operation and maintenance of boilers, steam turbines, electrical systems, sterilizers, presses, clarification systems and other mill machinery.
• Ensure all machinery and engineering equipment are operated safely, efficiently and reliably.
• Plan and monitor preventive and corrective maintenance to minimise machinery breakdown and production downtime.
• Monitor boiler and steam system performance and ensure safe operating practices.
• Ensure compliance with requirements from DOSH/JKKP and other relevant regulatory authorities.
• Troubleshoot mechanical, electrical and process-related engineering problems.
• Prepare maintenance schedules, engineering reports and maintenance budgets.
• Control engineering spare parts, tools and maintenance costs.
• Lead engineering improvement, modification and upgrading projects.
• Ensure proper implementation of workplace safety, environmental and company procedures.
• Train, guide and develop engineering staff and operators.
• Perform other engineering-related duties assigned by Management.

What we're looking for

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field
• Preferably Steam Engineer Grade 1 / relevant DOSH-recognised competency
• Minimum 5 years' experience in palm oil mill management or similar heavy industrial operations
• Experience controlling oil losses, downtime and processing cost
• Strong knowledge of palm oil milling processes, equipment and machinery
• Good knowledge of DOSH, DOE, MPOB and MSPO requirements
• Multi-language speaking ability (English, Bahasa Malaysia and Mandarin/Chinese dialects) is preferred.