Refractory Maintenance Master Engineer

Airswift; Schamal al-Batina; On-site; OMR 46,000 - 69,000; Full time

Job summary

Airswift is seeking a Refractory Maintenance Master Engineer in Oman to lead refractory strategies across pelletizing plant operations, including Travelling Grate, Rotary Kiln, Annular Cooler and Gas Generator systems. You will drive maintenance planning, asset stewardship, and reliability improvements.

The role requires a strong background in high‑temperature process industries, extensive failure analysis, shutdown planning, and supplier collaboration to deliver safe, cost‑efficient plant

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in materials/ceramic/metallurgical/chemical engineering or related.
• Master's degree preferred.
• 15+ years refractory engineering experience.
• 5+ years in pelletizing/ironmaking/steelmaking/cement or other high-temperature process industries.
• Hands-on experience with Travelling Grate Systems, Rotary Kilns, Annular Coolers, and Gas Generators.
• Expertise in refractory maintenance planning, inspections, and lifecycle management.
• Experience in refractory failure analysis, RCFA, FMEA, and reliability engineering.
• Knowledge of refractory materials, castables, gunning, brick lining systems,thermal degradation mechanisms, and dry-out procedures.
• Proven experience in shutdown planning and execution.
• Experience with refractory contract management, technical bid evaluations, and vendor management.
• Knowledge of predictive monitoring techniques such as thermography, endoscopy, shell temperature monitoring, and refractory wear assessment.
• Strong leadership, mentoring, stakeholder management, and communication skills.
• API 936 certification and thermal modelling/refractory design software experience are advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement refractory asset management strategies.
• Define refractory standards, maintenance methodologies, and inspection programs.
• Conduct refractory failure investigations and root cause analysis.
• Optimize refractory campaign life, equipment reliability, and availability.
• Evaluate and implement new refractory materials, technologies, and maintenance practices.
• Perform thermographic inspections, endoscopy, shell temperature monitoring, and refractory wear assessments.

Skills

Refractory maintenance

Pelletizing

Travelling Grate

Rotary Kiln

Annular Cooler

Gas Generator

Failure analysis

Shutdown planning

Contract management

Vendor management

Leadership

RCFA

FMEA

Thermography

Thermal modelling

API 936

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Materials Engineering / Ceramic Engineering / Metallurgical Engineering / Chemical Engineering

Master's Degree preferred

Job description

Job Title: Refractory Maintenance Master Engineer

Job Location: Oman

Job Overview:

The Refractory Maintenance Master Engineer serves as the technical authority for refractory systems across pelletizing plant operations utilizing Travelling Grate, Rotary Kiln, Annular Cooler, and Gas Generator technologies. The role is responsible for developing and implementing refractory maintenance strategies, maximizing refractory campaign life, improving equipment reliability and availability, and introducing innovative technologies and maintenance methodologies. The position also provides technical leadership for refractory inspections, failure analysis, shutdown planning, contract management, and continuous improvement initiatives.

Key Responsibilities:

Refractory Engineering & Reliability

• Develop and implement refractory asset management strategies.
• Define refractory standards, maintenance methodologies, and inspection programs.
• Conduct refractory failure investigations and root cause analysis.
• Optimize refractory campaign life, equipment reliability, and availability.
• Evaluate and implement new refractory materials, technologies, and maintenance practices.
• Perform thermographic inspections, endoscopy, shell temperature monitoring, and refractory wear assessments.

Maintenance Planning & Shutdowns

• Develop inspection and preventive maintenance plans for refractory systems.
• Define refractory scope and requirements for major shutdowns and annual outages.
• Support maintenance strategy development using equipment availability, inspection findings, and historical performance data.
• Diagnose major equipment breakdowns and provide technical reports and corrective actions.
• Ensure maintenance activities comply with manufacturer recommendations, HSE requirements, and company standards.

Contract, Budget & Technical Leadership

• Prepare scopes of work (SOW), technical specifications, and tender documentation.
• Evaluate technical proposals, purchase requests, and contractor bids.
• Manage refractory maintenance contracts, contractor performance, and budgets.
• Monitor KPIs, develop performance metrics, and drive continuous improvement.
• Mentor maintenance teams and provide technical guidance on complex refractory issues.
• Collaborate with suppliers, contractors, and refractory manufacturers to develop innovative solutions and improve plant performance.

Key Requirements:

• Bachelor's Degree in Materials Engineering, Ceramic Engineering, Metallurgical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or related discipline.
• Master's Degree preferred.
• Minimum 15 years of refractory engineering experience.
• Minimum 5 years of experience in pelletizing, ironmaking, steelmaking, cement, lime, or other high-temperature process industries.
• Strong hands-on experience with Travelling Grate Systems, Rotary Kilns, Annular Coolers, and Gas Generators
• Expertise in refractory maintenance planning, inspections, and lifecycle management.
• Experience in refractory failure analysis, RCFA, FMEA, and reliability engineering.
• Knowledge of refractory materials, castables, gunning, brick lining systems, thermal degradation mechanisms, and dry-out procedures.
• Proven experience in shutdown planning and execution.
• Experience with refractory contract management, technical bid evaluations, and vendor management.
• Knowledge of predictive monitoring techniques such as thermography, endoscopy, shell temperature monitoring, and refractory wear assessment.
• Strong leadership, mentoring, stakeholder management, and communication skills.
• API 936 certification and thermal modelling/refractory design software experience are advantageous.