Risk-Based Inspection (RBI) Subject Matter Expert (SME)

Experience; Oman; On-site; OMR 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Experience in Oman is seeking an RBI SME to support an operating refinery and petrochemical complex. The role leads the transition from API RP 580 to API RP 581 within a GE-APM environment and provides ongoing technical leadership for site RBI and asset integrity programs.

Responsibilities include governance of RBI studies, data-driven corrosion and damage mechanism reviews, and integration with inspection and maintenance planning to optimize risk, regulatory compliance, and plant safety.

Qualifications

• BSC degree in mechanical engineering preferred.
• 10+ years of experience in petrochemical industry.
• Knowledge of API RP 580/581 is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Lead the API 580 to API 581 transition for refinery and petrochemical units.
• Validate RBI models against plant operating conditions and materials.
• Govern RBI studies, ensuring regulatory defensibility and audits.
• Develop risk-based inspection strategies for major equipment.
• Coordinate with Operations, Process Engineering and Maintenance.

Skills

Over 10 years experience in petro-chem

Education

BSC degree in mechanical engineering

Job description

Risk-Based Inspection (RBI) Subject Matter Expert (SME)

• BSC degree engineering in mechanical preferred
• Over 10 years of experiecne in petro-chemical industry

The Risk-Based Inspection (RBI) Subject Matter Expert (SME) will be responsible to support an operating refinery and petrochemical complex. The role will lead and support the transition from API RP 580 to API RP 581 within a GE-APM (Meridiam / Asset Strategy Management) environment, while also providing ongoing technical leadership for the site RBI and asset integrity program.

Typical responsibilities

API 580 to API 581 Transition (Operating Plant Context)

Lead the transition from API 580 qualitative/semi-quantitative RBI to API 581 quantitative RBI for refinery and petrochemical process units.

Implement and validate API 581 RBI models in GE-APM, ensuring they reflect actual operating conditions, materials of construction, and process chemistry.

Assess legacy RBI studies and inspection plans for migration suitability and regulatory defensibility.

Identify data gaps typical of brownfield assets (corrosion rates, inspection history, damage mechanisms) and define practical remediation plans.

Ensure assumptions, damage models, and consequences reflect plant-specific risks, including inventory, toxicity, flammability, and siting.

RBI Execution & Governance

Act as the site RBI technical authority, providing governance, review, and approval of RBI studies and updates.

Ensure RBI outputs support:

o Regulatory compliance

o Safe operating envelopes

o Optimized inspection intervals without compromising risk

Support audits, regulatory reviews, and internal assurance activities related to RBI and inspection programs.

Corrosion & Damage Mechanism Management

Lead and support corrosion studies and damage mechanism reviews (DMR/DMI) for:

o Crude, vacuum, hydrotreating, hydrocracking, RFCC, reforming, sulfur recovery, and petrochemical units

Validate corrosion rate development and degradation models used in RBI.

Interface closely with site corrosion engineers to ensure consistency between corrosion management plans and RBI assumptions.

Develop and optimize risk-based inspection strategies for pressure vessels, piping, tanks, heat exchangers, and associated static equipment.

o Shutdown windows and turnaround planning

o Online vs. offline inspection feasibility

o Access, safety, and operational constraints

Support integration of RBI outputs into inspection execution and long-term maintenance plans.

Identify and analyse bad actors across refinery and petrochemical equipment populations.

Investigate recurring damage, unexpected failures, and high-risk equipment trends.

Recommend changes to inspection effectiveness, corrosion mitigation, and operating practices where required.

Support site initiatives focused on reliability improvement and loss prevention.

Interface with Operations & Engineering

Work closely with Operations, Process Engineering, and Maintenance to ensure RBI reflects real operating realities.

Participate in management of change (MOC) reviews, assessing RBI impacts of process, feedstock, or operational changes.

Support turnarounds by prioritizing inspection scope based on risk.

Training & Capability Development

Deliver hands-on training and mentoring to site RBI, inspection, and corrosion engineers.

Develop and deliver training tailored to an operating plant environment, covering:

o API RP 580 and API RP 581 application

o Damage mechanisms specific to refining and petrochemicals

o Practical use of RBI to support turnaround and inspection planning

Build long-term RBI competency and consistency across the site.