Decoking Specialist

Ruhrpumpen Group; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Ruhrpumpen Group is looking for a Decoking Specialist to lead and supervise decoking operations at customer sites, planning, scheduling, and executing coke removal from equipment and piping systems.

The role coordinates projects for new equipment, aftermarket and revamps, ensuring on-time delivery, quality, and performance, while upholding strict safety protocols and providing technical guidance to decoking teams and customer personnel.

Qualifications

• Deep understanding of mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic, and electrical systems in refinery environments.
• Ability to read P&IDs and electrical diagrams.
• Strong analytical, diagnostic, and troubleshooting capabilities.

Responsibilities

• Lead and supervise decoking operations including planning, scheduling and executing coke removal.
• Coordinate and provide project leadership for orders involving new equipment, aftermarket and rework.
• Ensure safety protocols and PPE usage, and guide control system programmers when needed.
• Train customer personnel under real refinery operating conditions.

Skills

Mechanical systems

P&ID reading

Diagnostics

Decoking systems

Job description

The Decoking Specialist is responsible for being able to lead and supervise decoking operations, including planning, scheduling, and executing the removal of coke deposits from equipment and piping systems. Coordinate, and provide project leadership for all phases of order for new equipment, aftermarket, and rework equipment to meet or exceed the customers contractual, technical, commercial, on-time delivery, and performance requirements. Guarantee compliance with each purchase order (order entry) received, based on agreements with the customer in the contract, for delivery time, quality of equipment and information and level of service. Provide technical guidance and support to decoking teams, offering solutions to technical challenges, troubleshooting issues, and ensuring proper utilization of equipment and resources. Ensure that all decoking activities adhere to strict safety protocols and procedures, including the use of personal protective equipment (PPE), hazard identification, and mitigation measures.

Key Responsibilities

1. Installation & System Assembly

• Install pump units and all related subsystems, including motors, gearboxes, turbines, coolers, lube oil units, mechanical seals, and oil supply systems.
• Install and align decoking control valves, piping, pump control panels, and soft starters.
• Assemble complete decoking equipment: winches, pulley blocks, crossheads, drill stems, drill stem drives, guide devices, cutting tools, enclosures, and instrumentation.
• Inspect and verify customer equipment such as coker tower beams, guide rails, latching systems, and position switches.
• Perform site-specific modifications, especially for non-standardized or customer-dependent decoking equipment.

2. Pre-Commissioning & Commissioning

• Perform mechanical and electrical inspections of all installed components.
• Execute functional tests of pump units, lube oil systems, control valves, hydraulic and pneumatic systems, and complete decoking equipment.
• Conduct full system commissioning, including pump performance testing, vibration and temperature monitoring, and parameter adjustment.
• Guide and instruct control system programmers, including parameter optimization and troubleshooting.
• Train customer personnel under real refinery operating conditions.

3. Maintenance, Repairs & Troubleshooting

• Diagnose and repair pumps, valves, winches, gearboxes, crossheads, pulley blocks, cutting tools, and other decoking components.
• Perform damage analysis, component measurement, refurbishment, reassembly, and functional validation.
• Prepare technical inspection reports and explain results clearly to customers.

4. Revamps, Turnarounds & Non-Standard Installations

• Integrate non-standard or legacy equipment into existing decoking systems during revamps.
• Plan and manage turnaround activities together with internal teams or customer personnel.

5. Customer Interaction & Technical Support

• Conduct customer meetings and coordinate all site activities in English.
• Provide system demonstrations, handover activities, and long-term technical support.
• Monitor customer requirements, analyze product weaknesses, and report system improvements internally.

Required Competencies & Skills

Technical Skills

• Deep understanding of mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic, and electrical systems in refinery environments.
• Ability to read P&IDs, electrical diagrams, hydraulic and pneumatic schematics.
• Strong analytical, diagnostic, and troubleshooting capabilities.
• Expertise in operating and commissioning complex decoking systems.

Personal Skills

• High communication skills in English (and ideally German).
• Strong teamwork and customer service mindset.
• Flexibility, independence, and readiness for high-intensity work environments.