Exploration Drill Rig Maintenance Planner

virtucruit; Najran; On-site; SAR 180,000 - 260,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Tax-free salary

Short-term incentives

Accommodation at mine site

Full medical coverage

End of service benefits

Job summary

Virtucruit, partnering with a leading mining company in Saudi Arabia, seeks an Exploration Drill Rig Maintenance Planner to organize and coordinate all maintenance activities for surface and underground rigs. Based at Al Joshwan, the role ensures safety standards and on-time servicing to maximize equipment availability.

You will develop preventive and predictive maintenance schedules, manage backlogs, and coordinate with operations, procurement, and warehouse teams.

Qualifications

• Diploma or degree in mechanical/electrical/maintenance engineering.
• Minimum 5+ years' experience in maintenance planning for drill rigs or mining equipment.
• Strong knowledge of exploration drill rigs, particularly Epiroc and Sandvik equipment.
• Proficient in CMMS platforms such as SAP, Service Manager, Pronto.
• Good English communication skills and ability to read technical manuals.

Responsibilities

• Develop and manage preventive and predictive maintenance schedules for surface and underground exploration drill rigs – Epiroc Boyles, Diamec, and PHC rigs.
• Coordinate planned maintenance shutdowns and repairs with operations and maintenance teams to minimize equipment downtime.
• Create, issue, and track work orders through CMMS systems such as SAP, Service Manager, or Pronto.
• Monitor equipment hours and maintenance intervals to ensure timely servicing and OEM compliance.
• Plan manpower, tooling, consumables, and spare parts for scheduled maintenance activities.
• Maintain accurate backlog reports, equipment histories, and planning documentation.
• Liaise with warehouse and procurement to ensure availability of critical spares.
• Analyze equipment performance, breakdown trends, and maintenance data to improve reliability.
• Work with maintenance supervisors, reliability engineers, and drill rig mechanics to optimize strategies.
• Review maintenance reports and provide feedback to improve planning and asset performance.
• Develop and update maintenance procedures, job plans, and SOPs.
• Support budgeting and forecasting activities related to maintenance and spare parts.
• Ensure all activities comply with safety standards and OEM specs.
• Mentor local nationals through guidance and coaching.

Skills

Maintenance planning

Analytical skills

Problem solving

English communication

Education

Diploma or Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Maintenance Engineering, or related field

Tools

SAP

Service Manager

Pronto

Job description

Virtucruit is partnering with a leading mining company in Saudi Arabia to appoint a Exploration Drill Rig Maintenance Planner within the Maintenance Department.

This critical role is responsible for organizing and coordinating all maintenance activities, both planned and unplanned, for the drill rig to ensure equipment availability and to minimize downtime.

The base is in, Al Joshwan mountain range at a comfortable 1,750m above sea level, this position is open to people ready for adventure who thrive in driving high performance in themselves and their team.

JOB DESCRIPTION:

• Ensures the highest level of safety, health, and environmental work standards are maintained.
• Develop and manage preventive and predictive maintenance schedules for Surface and Underground exploration drill rigs – Epiroc Boyles, Diamec, and PHC rigs.
• Coordinate planned maintenance shutdowns and repairs with operations and maintenance teams to minimize equipment downtime.
• Create, issue, and track work orders through CMMS systems such as SAP, Service Manager, or equivalent platforms.
• Monitor equipment hours and maintenance intervals to ensure timely servicing and compliance with OEM recommendations.
• Plan manpower, tooling, consumables, and spare parts requirements for scheduled maintenance activities.
• Maintain accurate maintenance backlog reports, equipment histories, and planning documentation.
• Liaise with warehouse and procurement departments to ensure availability of critical spares and consumables.
• Analyze equipment performance, breakdown trends, and maintenance data to improve reliability and reduce recurring failures.
• Work closely with maintenance supervisors, reliability engineers, and drill rig mechanics to optimize maintenance execution strategies.
• Review maintenance reports and provide technical feedback to improve maintenance planning and asset performance.
• Develop and update maintenance procedures, job plans, and standard operating procedures (SOPs).
• Support budgeting and forecasting activities related to maintenance and spare parts requirements.
• Ensure all maintenance activities are executed in accordance with company safety standards and OEM specifications.
• Support the development and training of local nationals by providing mentorship, guidance, and coaching, leading to their growth and development.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Diploma or Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Maintenance Engineering, or related field.
• Minimum 5+ years' experience in maintenance planning for Surface and Underground exploration drill rigs or mining mobile equipment.
• Strong knowledge of exploration drill rigs, particularly Epiroc and Sandvik equipment.
• Proficient in CMMS platforms such as SAP, Service Manager, Pronto, or similar systems.
• Strong understanding of maintenance planning principles, preventive maintenance, reliability engineering, and maintenance KPI management.
• Good understanding of mechanical, hydraulic, and electrical systems used on drill rigs.
• Strong organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to read and interpret technical manuals, schematics, and OEM documentation.
• Good English communication skills (both oral and written).
• Proficient in Microsoft Office applications, especially Excel and reporting tools.

We offer a competitive employment package including tax-free salary, short-term performance incentives, accom/transport/food at our Mine Site, full medical coverage, and end of service benefits.