Mechanical Engineer

 

JOB DESCRIPTION & SPECIFICATIONS

 

Job title	Mechanical Engineer
Job location	Parwan, with travel to provinces as required
VA #	AUA0011-2025
Report to	Sr. Technical Project Manager
Grid level	To be discussed

 

1. SUMMARY OF KEY FUNCTIONS

Alfalah-ul-Alami (AUA) as a profit-based company contracted by Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, in partnership with national international companies, is dedicated to establishing a cement factory that produces high-quality cement products in Afghanistan. Through our commitment to bringing a cadre of expert and diverse team, we aim to promote excellence, sustainability, and customer satisfaction so it contributes to the growth and development of Afghanistan's construction industry while ensuring profitability and access to international markets.

The project involves establishing a state-of-the-art 5000 tons per day (tpd) cement plant in Jabal Saraj, Parwan Province, Afghanistan, designed to set a benchmark for production safety, energy efficiency, and environmental sustainability. The facility includes integrated power generation systems: an 18 MW coal power plant, a 12 MW solar plant, and a potential 6 MW Waste Heat Recovery System, creating a hybrid energy ecosystem. The plant employs advanced technologies, such as electrostatic precipitators (ESPs) and bag filters, to optimize cement production while minimizing environmental impact. Operating under an Engineering, Procurement, Erection, and Construction Management (EPECM) model, the project is in its early stages, with land secured and preliminary studies completed, progressing toward detailed engineering, construction, and commissioning. This initiative aims to deliver a sustainable, technologically advanced cement production hub tailored to Afghanistan’s unique logistical, security, and environmental challenges.

 

2. Scope of Work

The Mechanical Engineer, as part of a highly competent technical team, is responsible for overseeing the specification, installation, commissioning, and maintenance of mechanical systems and equipment for the cement plant and its integrated power generation facilities. This role ensures that all mechanical components operate reliably, efficiently, and safely, supporting the plant’s production goals and sustainability objectives. The Mechanical Engineer collaborates closely with the Technical Project Manager, Civil and Structural Engineering Manager, Electrical Engineer, Process Engineer, and the Engineering, Procurement, Erection, and Construction Management (EPECM) firm, as well as external stakeholders, to deliver a fully operational facility.

 

3. KEY RESULTS EXPECTED

 

3.1 Mechanical System Specification and Review

• Review and validate mechanical equipment specifications for the cement plant, including rotary kilns, grinding mills, conveyors, crushers, and material handling systems, to meet the 5000 tpd production capacity.
• Ensure specifications for auxiliary systems, such as dust collection (e.g., ESPs, bag filters), cooling, and ventilation, align with safety, energy efficiency, and environmental standards.
• Verify that selected equipment optimizes durability and maintainability in Afghanistan’s operational and environmental context.

3.2 Integration with Power Generation Systems

• Review and validate specifications for mechanical components in the 18 MW coal power plant, 12 MW solar plant, and potential 6 MW Waste Heat Recovery System, including turbines, pumps, heat exchangers, and piping systems.
• Collaborate with the Power Plant Engineer and Process Engineer to ensure seamless integration of mechanical systems with power generation and cement production processes.
• Support the incorporation of energy recovery systems, such as the Waste Heat Recovery System, to enhance overall plant efficiency and sustainability.

3.3 Equipment Installation and Commissioning

• Oversee the installation of mechanical equipment during the construction phase, ensuring compliance with approved specifications, safety standards, and project schedules.
• Develop and execute commissioning plans for mechanical systems, including testing and validation of equipment performance to meet operational requirements.
• Troubleshoot and resolve mechanical issues during startup, ensuring a smooth transition to full operation and minimal downtime.

3.4 Maintenance and Reliability

• Develop preventive maintenance schedules and procedures for all mechanical equipment to ensure long-term reliability and minimize operational disruptions.
• Monitor equipment performance post-commissioning, recommending upgrades, repairs, or optimizations as needed to maintain efficiency.
• Implement condition-based monitoring systems, such as vibration analysis or thermal imaging, to predict and prevent mechanical failures.

3.5 Compliance and Safety

• Ensure mechanical installations comply with international engineering standards (e.g., ASME, ISO) and Afghan regulations, addressing local environmental and seismic conditions.
• Collaborate with the HSE Manager to implement safety features, such as guards, emergency stops, and vibration controls, in mechanical systems.
• Conduct risk assessments for mechanical operations, recommending mitigation measures to ensure worker safety and equipment reliability.

3.6 Collaboration and Coordination

• Work closely with the competent technical team, including the Civil and Structural Engineering Manager, Electrical Engineer, Process Engineer, and Installation Manager, to ensure mechanical systems integrate with civil, electrical, and process components.
• Collaborate with the EPECM firm and external stakeholders, including contractors and suppliers, to ensure mechanical specifications are met during procurement, fabrication, and installation.
• Support the Logistics Manager in managing the delivery and handling of mechanical equipment, addressing Afghanistan’s logistical challenges.

3.7 Quality Assurance

• Collaborate with the QA/QC Specialist and Quality Control Engineer for Civil Construction Works to enforce quality standards for mechanical equipment and installations.
• Inspect and verify the quality of mechanical components during procurement, delivery, and installation phases, ensuring compliance with project specifications.
• Address non-conformances in mechanical works, coordinating corrective actions to maintain quality and performance.

3.8. Training and Knowledge Transfer

• Develop training programs for plant operators and maintenance staff on the operation, maintenance, and troubleshooting of mechanical systems.
• Facilitate knowledge transfer to local staff to ensure sustainable maintenance practices post-commissioning, enhancing local capacity in Afghanistan.

3.9 Continuous Improvement

• Analyze mechanical system performance data to identify opportunities for optimization, cost reduction, and energy efficiency improvements.
• Recommend innovative solutions, such as advanced materials or automation, to enhance equipment reliability and align with sustainability goals.

3.10 Documentation and Reporting

• Maintain accurate records of mechanical specifications, installations, and maintenance activities, supporting the Document Controller in archiving project documentation.
• Prepare technical reports on mechanical system performance and quality, providing input for project status reviews and stakeholder reporting.
• Ensure documentation complies with project standards and Afghan regulatory requirements for audits and inspections.

4. Alignment with Project Context

The Mechanical Engineer, as part of a highly competent technical team, is essential to the success of the Jabal Saraj cement plant project by ensuring the reliable specification, installation, commissioning, and maintenance of mechanical systems critical to cement production and power generation. This role supports the project’s goals of safety, efficiency, and sustainability by validating equipment specifications and overseeing installations that align with the hybrid energy ecosystem (coal, solar, and potential WHR systems). By navigating Afghanistan’s logistical, security, and environmental challenges, the Mechanical Engineer contributes to delivering a state-of-the-art, environmentally sustainable facility under the EPECM model.

 

5. Qualifications and Experience
   • Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from an accredited institution is required.
• A Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Engineering Management, or a related field is preferred.

5.2 Experience Requirements:

• A minimum of 10 to 13 years of professional experience in mechanical engineering, including at least 5 years in industrial projects, preferably within cement plants, power plants, or heavy manufacturing sectors.
• Candidates holding a Master’s degree must have no less than 10 years of relevant experience.
• Candidates holding a Bachelor’s degree must have no less than 13 years of relevant experience.
• Proven experience in overseeing the specification, installation, and maintenance of mechanical systems for cement production (e.g., rotary kilns, grinding mills, conveyors) and power generation (e.g., turbines, pumps, heat exchangers).
• Experience working in challenging or remote environments, ideally with exposure to logistical or geopolitical complexities similar to Afghanistan.

5.3 Technical Skills:

• Expertise in reviewing and validating mechanical equipment specifications for cement and power plant systems, including energy recovery technologies like Waste Heat Recovery Systems.
• Proficiency in engineering analysis tools (e.g., ANSYS, MATLAB) and familiarity with CAD software (e.g., AutoCAD, SolidWorks) for reviewing specifications.
• Knowledge of condition-based maintenance techniques and reliability engineering principles.
  • Compliance Knowledge:
• Familiarity with international mechanical engineering standards (e.g., ASME, ISO) and Afghan regulations for industrial and environmental compliance.
  • Communication Skills:
• Ability to clearly convey technical information to diverse stakeholders, including technical teams, contractors, and non-technical personnel.
  • Problem-Solving:
• Strong analytical skills to diagnose and resolve mechanical issues efficiently, ensuring minimal impact on project timelines and performance.

5.7 Language Proficiency

• English: Fluency in written and spoken English (equivalent to CEFR C1 or higher) is mandatory, as it is the primary language for technical documentation, communication with the EPECM firm, and coordination with international suppliers and contractors.

5.8 Personal Attributes

• Detail-oriented with a focus on precision and quality in reviewing specifications, overseeing installations, and maintaining mechanical systems.
• Adaptable and resilient, capable of performing effectively in Afghanistan’s challenging and remote environment.
• Collaborative team player with strong interpersonal skills to work within a highly competent technical team and with external stakeholders.
• Committed to safety, reliability, and sustainability, with a proactive approach to continuous improvement in mechanical engineering practices.
• Reporting Structure
• Reports to: Technical Project Manager
• Collaborates with: Civil and Structural Engineering Manager, Electrical Engineer, Process Engineer, Power Plant Engineer, Installation Manager, QA/QC Specialist, HSE Manager, Document Controller, Logistics Manager, Pre-Contract and Final Accounts Manager, EPECM firm, contractors, and external stakeholders.
• Submission Guideline:
• Interested candidates meeting the above requirements are requested to submit their CV along with cover letter to: hr@aua.af
• Please clearly state the Position Title and your Name in the subject of your E-mail.
• Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.