Crane Systems Lead: Design, Procurement & Commissioning

Essarsteelmn; United States; Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Essarsteelmn is seeking a Senior Crane Engineer to provide technical leadership on overhead and mobile crane systems for the Mesabi ISP Project in the United States. You will specify, evaluate, procure support, oversee installation, and commission cranes to meet safety and performance targets.

The role requires 15–20 years of crane engineering or related technical management experience, with strong vendor management and ability to coordinate with engineering teams to ensure successful project

Qualifications

• Bachelor degree required in mechanical/structural engineering.
• 15–20 years of crane engineering or technical management experience.
• Strong knowledge of overhead, gantry and mobile cranes.
• Familiarity with OSHA, CMAA, AISE or equivalent crane safety standards.

Responsibilities

• Lead crane system engineering for the Mesabi ISP Project across multiple plant areas.
• Develop crane specifications, design criteria, and equipment requirements.
• Support vendor evaluation, bid analysis, and procurement for large-capital projects.
• Coordinate with engineering teams on runway design, loads, and interface issues.
• Oversee FAT, QA activities at vendor facilities, and commissioning.
• Ensure compliance with safety standards and project requirements.

Skills

Crane engineering leadership

Vendor management

Troubleshooting

Project coordination

Safety standards knowledge

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or Structural Engineering

Job description

Role Summary:
Responsible for providing technical expertise on crane systems, including specification, selection, procurement support, installation oversight, and commissioning of overhead and mobile cranes for the Mesabi Integrated Steel Plant (ISP) Project. The role ensures cranes are designed, procured, and installed to meet operational, safety, and performance requirements across the plant.
Key Responsibilities

• Provide technical leadership on crane systems for the Mesabi ISP Project, including overhead cranes, gantry cranes, and mobile crane requirements.
• Review and develop crane technical specifications, design criteria, and equipment requirements in coordination with engineering teams.
• Support vendor evaluation, technical bid analysis, and selection of crane manufacturers and suppliers.
• Coordinate with leading crane manufacturers and specialists to evaluate crane design, capacity, and performance requirements.
• Oversee crane fabrication, factory acceptance testing (FAT), and quality assurance activities at vendor facilities.
• Support installation planning, erection sequencing, and commissioning of crane systems across plant areas.
• Ensure crane systems comply with applicable safety standards, including OSHA, CMAA, and relevant structural codes.
• Troubleshoot technical issues related to crane design, installation, and commissioning.
• Coordinate with structural and mechanical engineering teams on crane runway design, structural interfaces, and load requirements.
• Support development of crane maintenance philosophies, spare parts strategies, and operational readiness plans.
• Prepare technical reports, vendor evaluation summaries, and crane system documentation for project records.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Structural Engineering, or related discipline.
• 15-20 years of experience in crane engineering, specification, or technical management roles within heavy industrial or steel plant projects.
• Strong technical knowledge of overhead crane systems, including design, fabrication, installation, and commissioning.
• Experience with crane technical specifications, vendor evaluation, and procurement support for large capital projects.
• Familiarity with applicable crane safety standards and structural codes (OSHA, CMAA, AISE, or equivalent).
• Strong analytical, troubleshooting, and vendor management skills.

Working Conditions

• Based in the United States, dedicated full-time to the Mesabi ISP Project.
• Travel to crane vendor/manufacturer facilities and project site as required, including factory acceptance testing.

Preferred Experience

• Direct experience with crane systems for steel plant applications (e.g., ladle cranes, charging cranes, coil handling cranes).
• Experience supporting crane procurement and installation for greenfield industrial projects.