Chronological History
Here is an overview of my work history over the last 20 years. For more info you can read my CV, and have a look at my LinkedIn profile. Hope you like what you see!
Senior SIS Specialist
09/17 – Present
Develops, designs, and implements Safety Instrumented Systems on client projects. Serves as Project Team Lead and technical resource on projects involving simple to moderately-complex Safety Instrumented Functions. Interfaces typically with PS Technical Leads and other team members on the development of SIS Front-End Loading (FEL) project deliverables and technical project issues.
Serve as a technical resource on SIS Front-End Loading projects, providing deliverables that meet client requirements and internal standards. Involved in the issuance of SISFEL deliverables, within schedule and budget requirements. Develop Technical Lead skills on projects, gaining proficiency in reporting project technical status, and monitoring workflow, budget, and schedule metrics.
Design and produce deliverables at a technically proficient level in three of the primary SISFEL packages such as: SIL Verification Calculations, Cause & Effect Diagrams, Safety Requirements Specifications, SIF Proof Test Procedures, and Factory / Site Acceptance Test Procedure Development and Participation.
With closely with NFPA 85/86/87 in terms of BMS and combustion control. Assist with the auditing and evaluation of existing installations, and new projects, to ensure adherence to the most current version of the codes and standards. Prepare reports to highlight deficiencies and scope out a path forward to get in alignment to the codes.
Functional Safety Professional
02/14 – 06/14
Working on all aspects of Functional Safety, including leading HAZOP’s, LOPA’s, SIL reviews. Provided support and input into the project HAZOPS and constructability reviews
Completing all relevant documentation for the Safety Lifecycle, with the use of ExSILentia, and PHA-Pro
Interfaced with internal automation programmers to complete safety system programming effectively, and ensured the successful integration of their work was completed for each project.
Site visits for each project to make sure new design is as per safety design needs, and make sure final project deliverables are as expected.
Provided commissioning support, with on-site presence occasionally during start-up. Providing automation support when safety deliverables are completed. This included assisting programming of AB Guardlogix Safety PLC’s
Instrumentation Engineering Specialist
10/08 – 04/11
Carry out varied assignments requiring a broad application of engineering knowledge and relevant laws, codes, regulations and engineering standards.
Worked on broad assignments with others to achieve common goals/deliverables.
Provided coaching and guidance to help junior engineers apply engineering standards, assess problems and generate alternative solutions.
Ensure that required engineering documents/ databases are kept up-to-date. Applied and helped others to apply relevant responsible care policies and procedures.
Participated in Incident Investigations. Participated and lead MOC processes for facility or operational changes in my areas of work. Participated in technical interactions with customers, suppliers or joint venture partners to address problems.
Considered multiple aspects in problem solving (e.g. economic, operating, maintenance, technical) in areas of responsibility. Identified opportunities to enhance work processes across disciplines. Participated in testing and evaluation of new technology. Identified opportunities to improve processes and systems based on business requirements.
Applied appropriate methods, tools, processes and software to execute routine design work. Validated the design with appropriate stakeholders as required.
Reviewed basic design work conducted by internal engineering resources for completeness, accuracy and conformance with established procedures. Ensured that required engineering documents/databases were kept up-to-date.
Participated in numerous HAZOP/FMEA sessions, both in smaller and larger scale projects. Led personally a few smaller HAZOPS, utilizing PHA-Pro 8 Risk Assessment software. Participated as a team member on various LOPA sessions in conjunction with the HAZOP’s
Technical Sales Engineer
10/15 – 03/17
Working for a global engineering software solutions company as a Pre-sales Technical Consultant/Sales Engineer. Mainly responsible for the Instrumentation and Electrical portion of the AVEVA portfolio, Canada wide. As well, perform support duties for other AVEVA offerings, such as Engineering, P&ID, and 3D products.
Duties include:
Communicate the value proposition of the AVEVA software solutions to prospects at presentations, workshops, industry events and seminars
Contribute to the planning, creation, development and delivery of demonstrations that prove the value of the AVEVA solutions
Engage with prospects to understand specific needs/problems and contribute to the development of appropriate technical solutions.
Take responsibility for the preparation and presentation of technical proposals to solve specific prospect needs/problems.
Contribute to the planning, creation, organizing and execution of Proof of Capability presentations and demonstrations to prospects, so that they “prove and confirm” the value of the AVEVA technical solution to their specific needs/problems.
Provide Technical Support (including training, implementation and consultancy), on occasion, as required by line management.
Instrumentation Engineering Specialist/Team Leader
04/13 – 02/14
Led a small team of I&C technologists / designers working on multiple projects
Acting as an instrumentation and controls technical resource, checker and consultant for the company.
In addition to mentoring and checking less experienced members work, I was responsible for the entire deliverable list on a project directly.
Ensured that I&C workload is being distributed properly, to keep project schedules in line.
The ability to produce accurate engineering design deliverables to meet project scope and schedule, Worked closely with project managers to determine project needs and deliverables to ensure Client/Caber relationship is successful.
Used industry standard database tools and sizing software to produce acceptable deliverables within the project time/cost schedule.
Provided knowledge of P&ID’s, ISA specifications and standards, control system design and logic description documentation.
Designed / created Caber I&C Specifications and Standards, Worked with all disciplines to ensure company compliance
Provided support and input into the project HAZOPS and constructability reviews
Reviewed client needs, seek clarification on the I & C scope of work and provide detailed I & C man-hour estimates for proposals.
Successfully interfaced with external sub-contractors such as automation programmers and functional safety experts, and ensured the successful integration of their work was completed for each project.
Was required to do site visits for each project to make sure new design is as per client needs, and make sure final project deliverables are as expected.
Provided commissioning support, with on-site presence occasionally during start-up.
Worked closely with the Electrical team to resolve technical issues as required.
Instrumentation Engineering Specialist
08/05 – 10/08
Interpretation of the P-C Downstream Standards and Specifications as applied to the Oil Sands managed projects and provided clarification of these as required i.e. RFI's, TDN's and NCR's
Supported the project team in the review of the EPC and vendor designs to ensure conformance to standards and specifications, consistency with good design practices and equipment accessibility, operability, reliability and ease of maintenance. Consulted with EPC’s on Safety Integrity Level (SIL) analysis and examination of systems.
Verified equipment performance by attending critical equipment witnessed inspection events.
Support Start-up operations, Ready For Operation (RFO) support, identified potential problems and worked with closely with refinery team leaders on workable ideas to achieve a timely and cost effective solution.
Identified opportunities for the upgrade and improvement of P-C standards, specifications, standard drawings, and designs and assisting the corporate organization in enacting these improvements.
Assisted in establishing the document standards required for future project work and supported the implementation of the standards.
Participated in many HAZOP/LOPA sessions (some as long as 6 weeks) as a technical resource and team member. Reviewed and analyzed session results and provided feedback to the contracting company on proper next steps.
Safety and Risk Specialist
06/14 – 07/15
Passionate leader in the building and development of the Fire and Gas engineering division within Microwatt.
Led the business development opportunities to promote and recruit worldwide projects in the Fire and Gas engineering division.
Subject matter expert and interpretive authority on fire and gas systems
Expert use of advanced fire and gas mapping software, including CFD and 3D modeling.
Instrumental in the testing and development of new and updated fire and gas software solutions.
Assist with the development of ISA Fire and Gas recommendations. (ISA TR84.00.07), and promote usage across North America.
Support functional safety assessments and audits
Perform verifications and modeling in the preparation of Fire and Gas lifecycle solutions documentation
Develop documentation and procedures for proof testing, operation,. Maintenance and validation
Provide support and technical assistance in the pursuit of lifecycle business opportunities.
Provide analysis services similar to SIS verification and validation to ensure fire and gas system availability matches acceptable limits. (done with a SIS software package)
Provide extensive reports and documents backing up the analysis of the project Fire and Gas system performance.
Provide Risk Analysis services when required.
Instrumentation Engineering Specialist/Team Leader
04/11 – 04/13
Key player in the start-up of the Instrumentation Division of the company. This includes developing processes and procedures for instrumentation project development, determining the needs to achieve industry standard instrument and control philosophies, and solutions to achieve the best deliverables that fit with a diverse variety of clientele.
Responsible for all instrumentation items for a wide variety of clients. This includes: sizing, selection and specifying proper vendors to achieve the best performance and reliability.
Provide expert opinion on control philosophies, strategies and communication with clients to ensure that they are kept current on technology and trends.
Instrumental in the implementation/installation of the Smart plant Instrumentation program, for data management and document control.
Heavily involved in P&ID development and review. Perform changes to comply with industry standards and regulations.
SAGD experience includes doing ground up construction and maintaining running operation for over three years.
Accredited ISA84 SIS (process safety) expert, first in Canada to achieve this.
Instrumentation Specialist
7/02 – 08/05
Provided technical support for UE-1 expansion of Oil Sands extraction facility.
Clarified project goals and technical questions via RFI's, TDN's and NCR's. Stack Emission (CEMS) specialist, Start-up and RFO Support.
Dealt with all PSV issues for the UE-1 expansion, Liaison between upgrade project and running facility.
Verification and QA/QC of instrument database (INtools)
Generation of P.O.'s, on-site verification of new installations and constant contact with construction personnel.
Weekly progress reports, semi-weekly meetings and overseeing new employee work tasks.
Plus I have started my own company
I have provided the last nine positions I have held, but in addition to that I have also started my own Fire and Gas Engineering company.
Want more?
Have a look at my full Resumé here.