All Member Open Forum

Hi Reliability and Maintenance people,

As Reliability and Asset Management consultant working in oil & gas, I've been working during COVID remotely for more than a year. I was more productive working from home and had the flexibility to travel anywhere. As I was a contractor, I moved and got a new job recently working at office. Working remotely is not part of the company's culture.
Going back to office was very difficult, so I decided to get a job remotely even if I have to switch my career. I was wondering if there is a possibility I can work in Reliability and Maintenance without changing my career whatever the industry is.

When carrying out RCM, FMECA, ECA, RBI, etc. there is no need to be on site as all these studies can be conducted virtually within a workshop.

I would prefer staying in R&M after 8 years of experience and after I got an MSc in Asset Integrity Management and especially that I'm passionate by what I'm doing.

Any advice is welcome.

Thanks and Regards,
Slim​

Working in Reliability and Maintenance is not solely based on RCM,FMECA,RBI etc. except for consultants who are needed temporarily . As a reliability engineer , you are mostly  involved in day to day issues in the plant due to cross functional roles with maintenance engineer. Working remotely

------------------------------
Lateef Salam
Toone TN
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 12-17-2021 06:28 PM
From: Slim Ben Slimane
Subject: Remote jobs in Reliability and Asset Management

Hi Reliability and Maintenance people,

As Reliability and Asset Management consultant working in oil & gas, I've been working during COVID remotely for more than a year. I was more productive working from home and had the flexibility to travel anywhere. As I was a contractor, I moved and got a new job recently working at office. Working remotely is not part of the company's culture.
Going back to office was very difficult, so I decided to get a job remotely even if I have to switch my career. I was wondering if there is a possibility I can work in Reliability and Maintenance without changing my career whatever the industry is.

When carrying out RCM, FMECA, ECA, RBI, etc. there is no need to be on site as all these studies can be conducted virtually within a workshop.

I would prefer staying in R&M after 8 years of experience and after I got an MSc in Asset Integrity Management and especially that I'm passionate by what I'm doing.

Any advice is welcome.

Thanks and Regards,
Slim​

Hi Lateef, 

Thanks for your feedback, I remember I was involved in day to day reliability and maintenance issues while I was working office and we could have RCA virtual sessions with the field engineers and technicians, so I think it more depends on the industry and company's culture.

Thanks,
Slim

------------------------------
Slim Ben Slimane
Reliability & Maintenance Engineer
OMV (E &P)
Toronto ON
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 12-20-2021 12:29 PM
From: Lateef Salam
Subject: Remote jobs in Reliability and Asset Management

Working in Reliability and Maintenance is not solely based on RCM,FMECA,RBI etc. except for consultants who are needed temporarily . As a reliability engineer , you are mostly  involved in day to day issues in the plant due to cross functional roles with maintenance engineer. Working remotely

------------------------------
Lateef Salam
Toone TN

Original Message:
Sent: 12-17-2021 06:28 PM
From: Slim Ben Slimane
Subject: Remote jobs in Reliability and Asset Management

Hi Reliability and Maintenance people,

As Reliability and Asset Management consultant working in oil & gas, I've been working during COVID remotely for more than a year. I was more productive working from home and had the flexibility to travel anywhere. As I was a contractor, I moved and got a new job recently working at office. Working remotely is not part of the company's culture.
Going back to office was very difficult, so I decided to get a job remotely even if I have to switch my career. I was wondering if there is a possibility I can work in Reliability and Maintenance without changing my career whatever the industry is.

When carrying out RCM, FMECA, ECA, RBI, etc. there is no need to be on site as all these studies can be conducted virtually within a workshop.

I would prefer staying in R&M after 8 years of experience and after I got an MSc in Asset Integrity Management and especially that I'm passionate by what I'm doing.

Any advice is welcome.

Thanks and Regards,
Slim​

Hello Slim.
If you are willing to do a hybrid (some plant/some remote) I think you would be able to find a company with needs for a reliability SME like yourself. To find a 100% remote position where you never had to visit the plant, site, or office may be tough. I am not saying those positions are not out there, I just think they are far and few. Good luck!

------------------------------
David Schlicht, CMRP, CRL, NREMR
Reliability Engineer
Guardian Industries LLC - A Koch Company
Dewitt, Iowa
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 12-17-2021 06:28 PM
From: Slim Ben Slimane
Subject: Remote jobs in Reliability and Asset Management

Hi Reliability and Maintenance people,

As Reliability and Asset Management consultant working in oil & gas, I've been working during COVID remotely for more than a year. I was more productive working from home and had the flexibility to travel anywhere. As I was a contractor, I moved and got a new job recently working at office. Working remotely is not part of the company's culture.
Going back to office was very difficult, so I decided to get a job remotely even if I have to switch my career. I was wondering if there is a possibility I can work in Reliability and Maintenance without changing my career whatever the industry is.

When carrying out RCM, FMECA, ECA, RBI, etc. there is no need to be on site as all these studies can be conducted virtually within a workshop.

I would prefer staying in R&M after 8 years of experience and after I got an MSc in Asset Integrity Management and especially that I'm passionate by what I'm doing.

Any advice is welcome.

Thanks and Regards,
Slim​

While I can see the value of some remote positions, I cannot understand why anyone who is involved with asset management would believe that working remotely would best serve the principal. My company is a sales and service organization and I believe strongly that the dynamic that occurs between team members as well as clients is undeniably rewarding and part and parcel of our success in providing resolutions to the challenges that we are presented with. I can see why some companies don't allow working remotely and we are one of them.

Working with others for a common cause is extremely fulfilling. Mechanical assets have many failure modes, one of them being the human element. Not being able to observe how machines run and humans interface with them, would in my opinion, limit the ability to provide optimum solutions to challenges that come up daily and require real time on site collaboration. Just my opinion.

------------------------------
David Piangerelli
President
Lubrication Technologies, Inc.
West Springfield MA
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 12-21-2021 07:33 AM
From: David Schlicht
Subject: Remote jobs in Reliability and Asset Management

Hello Slim.
If you are willing to do a hybrid (some plant/some remote) I think you would be able to find a company with needs for a reliability SME like yourself. To find a 100% remote position where you never had to visit the plant, site, or office may be tough. I am not saying those positions are not out there, I just think they are far and few. Good luck!

------------------------------
David Schlicht, CMRP, CRL, NREMR
Reliability Engineer
Guardian Industries LLC - A Koch Company
Dewitt, Iowa

Original Message:
Sent: 12-17-2021 06:28 PM
From: Slim Ben Slimane
Subject: Remote jobs in Reliability and Asset Management

Hi Reliability and Maintenance people,

As Reliability and Asset Management consultant working in oil & gas, I've been working during COVID remotely for more than a year. I was more productive working from home and had the flexibility to travel anywhere. As I was a contractor, I moved and got a new job recently working at office. Working remotely is not part of the company's culture.
Going back to office was very difficult, so I decided to get a job remotely even if I have to switch my career. I was wondering if there is a possibility I can work in Reliability and Maintenance without changing my career whatever the industry is.

When carrying out RCM, FMECA, ECA, RBI, etc. there is no need to be on site as all these studies can be conducted virtually within a workshop.

I would prefer staying in R&M after 8 years of experience and after I got an MSc in Asset Integrity Management and especially that I'm passionate by what I'm doing.

Any advice is welcome.

Thanks and Regards,
Slim​

Hi David,

Thanks for your feedback, I think 20% on site & 80% remote is very feasible in any industry, as long as you communicate with the team on site. 

Thanks,
Slim

------------------------------
Slim Ben Slimane
Reliability & Maintenance Engineer
OMV (E &P)
Toronto ON
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 12-21-2021 07:33 AM
From: David Schlicht
Subject: Remote jobs in Reliability and Asset Management

Hello Slim.
If you are willing to do a hybrid (some plant/some remote) I think you would be able to find a company with needs for a reliability SME like yourself. To find a 100% remote position where you never had to visit the plant, site, or office may be tough. I am not saying those positions are not out there, I just think they are far and few. Good luck!

------------------------------
David Schlicht, CMRP, CRL, NREMR
Reliability Engineer
Guardian Industries LLC - A Koch Company
Dewitt, Iowa

Original Message:
Sent: 12-17-2021 06:28 PM
From: Slim Ben Slimane
Subject: Remote jobs in Reliability and Asset Management

Hi Reliability and Maintenance people,

As Reliability and Asset Management consultant working in oil & gas, I've been working during COVID remotely for more than a year. I was more productive working from home and had the flexibility to travel anywhere. As I was a contractor, I moved and got a new job recently working at office. Working remotely is not part of the company's culture.
Going back to office was very difficult, so I decided to get a job remotely even if I have to switch my career. I was wondering if there is a possibility I can work in Reliability and Maintenance without changing my career whatever the industry is.

When carrying out RCM, FMECA, ECA, RBI, etc. there is no need to be on site as all these studies can be conducted virtually within a workshop.

I would prefer staying in R&M after 8 years of experience and after I got an MSc in Asset Integrity Management and especially that I'm passionate by what I'm doing.

Any advice is welcome.

Thanks and Regards,
Slim​

After working in manufacturing for 25 years, I accepted a position in a Data Center company to create a Reliability program. Moved to Ashburn VA where some of our Data Centers were located. When COVID hit, became remote and will be permanently. Actually moved to Ohio. Still working on developing the reliability program. HIred a CMMS Administrator and a Scheduler. Both remote. Plan to hire a Predictive Maintenance program manager in 2-3 months to develop the program. It will be remote. Details can be obtained lmcclish@ragingwire.com. Infrequent travel - one or two conferences and/or team meetings.

------------------------------
Lee McClish
Manager, Maintenance and Reliability
NTT Global Data Centers Americas
Ashburn VA
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 12-17-2021 06:28 PM
From: Slim Ben Slimane
Subject: Remote jobs in Reliability and Asset Management

Hi Reliability and Maintenance people,

As Reliability and Asset Management consultant working in oil & gas, I've been working during COVID remotely for more than a year. I was more productive working from home and had the flexibility to travel anywhere. As I was a contractor, I moved and got a new job recently working at office. Working remotely is not part of the company's culture.
Going back to office was very difficult, so I decided to get a job remotely even if I have to switch my career. I was wondering if there is a possibility I can work in Reliability and Maintenance without changing my career whatever the industry is.

When carrying out RCM, FMECA, ECA, RBI, etc. there is no need to be on site as all these studies can be conducted virtually within a workshop.

I would prefer staying in R&M after 8 years of experience and after I got an MSc in Asset Integrity Management and especially that I'm passionate by what I'm doing.

Any advice is welcome.

Thanks and Regards,
Slim​

Hi Lee,

Thanks for your feedback, Just sent you an email.

Thanks,
Slim

------------------------------
Slim Ben Slimane
Reliability & Maintenance Engineer
OMV (E &P)
Toronto ON
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 12-21-2021 07:59 AM
From: Lee McClish
Subject: Remote jobs in Reliability and Asset Management

After working in manufacturing for 25 years, I accepted a position in a Data Center company to create a Reliability program. Moved to Ashburn VA where some of our Data Centers were located. When COVID hit, became remote and will be permanently. Actually moved to Ohio. Still working on developing the reliability program. HIred a CMMS Administrator and a Scheduler. Both remote. Plan to hire a Predictive Maintenance program manager in 2-3 months to develop the program. It will be remote. Details can be obtained lmcclish@ragingwire.com. Infrequent travel - one or two conferences and/or team meetings.

------------------------------
Lee McClish
Manager, Maintenance and Reliability
NTT Global Data Centers Americas
Ashburn VA

Original Message:
Sent: 12-17-2021 06:28 PM
From: Slim Ben Slimane
Subject: Remote jobs in Reliability and Asset Management

Hi Reliability and Maintenance people,

As Reliability and Asset Management consultant working in oil & gas, I've been working during COVID remotely for more than a year. I was more productive working from home and had the flexibility to travel anywhere. As I was a contractor, I moved and got a new job recently working at office. Working remotely is not part of the company's culture.
Going back to office was very difficult, so I decided to get a job remotely even if I have to switch my career. I was wondering if there is a possibility I can work in Reliability and Maintenance without changing my career whatever the industry is.

When carrying out RCM, FMECA, ECA, RBI, etc. there is no need to be on site as all these studies can be conducted virtually within a workshop.

I would prefer staying in R&M after 8 years of experience and after I got an MSc in Asset Integrity Management and especially that I'm passionate by what I'm doing.

Any advice is welcome.

Thanks and Regards,
Slim​

Hello, Slim!

I am a remote worker and have been since I retired from the military 3-years ago. It works for organizations that embrace the benefits of the option. I find it is largely a preference rather than a logical requirement in many instances. For example, I support government customers (US Navy) most of the time. Some of the program offices embrace remote work, others do not. Same program types, same positions, just some are willing to work the remote staffing model and others are not. In every instance, it is a matter of the boss's preference. Our office is heavily distributed remotely and is the most productive of the program offices (imagine that).

Our team works closely together via video conferences, travels roughly 25% for onsites, and are heavy on thought work. We are hired for our brains. Reliability engineers, maintenance planners, and life cycle engineers in our situation are analyzing designs, data from existing platforms, and working in the government's most critical weapon system acquisitions. We are not working hand-in-hand next to the equipment (which is often out at sea...). You can see how this would be problematic if we were ALSO doing the maintenance or onsite project planning. The lines between maintenance management and reliability are blurred in too many organizations in my humble opinion.

Everyone has their preference, but I will remain remote and will only work with organizations and clients who can manage change and technology enough to do the same. When physical presence is needed, I'll be there but those will be scheduled trips, not daily commutes to work. Did I mention that I get far more work done this way than I did when I was commuting 2-3 hours per day? More return on the investment for the bosses that leverage their folks accordingly.

I am also a small business owner and will only employ remote workers to keep my overhead down. No physical infrastructure costs. That money can go towards supporting customers and site visits rather than a landlord for an overpriced office in town. I'd rather give back to clients.

Respectfully,

Lucas

------------------------------
Lucas Marino, D.Eng., PMP, CMRP
Principal Life Cycle & Systems Engineer
CEO, EAST Partnership | Marino Consulting Services, LLC
lucas@eastpartnership.org
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 12-17-2021 06:28 PM
From: Slim Ben Slimane
Subject: Remote jobs in Reliability and Asset Management

Hi Reliability and Maintenance people,

As Reliability and Asset Management consultant working in oil & gas, I've been working during COVID remotely for more than a year. I was more productive working from home and had the flexibility to travel anywhere. As I was a contractor, I moved and got a new job recently working at office. Working remotely is not part of the company's culture.
Going back to office was very difficult, so I decided to get a job remotely even if I have to switch my career. I was wondering if there is a possibility I can work in Reliability and Maintenance without changing my career whatever the industry is.

When carrying out RCM, FMECA, ECA, RBI, etc. there is no need to be on site as all these studies can be conducted virtually within a workshop.

I would prefer staying in R&M after 8 years of experience and after I got an MSc in Asset Integrity Management and especially that I'm passionate by what I'm doing.

Any advice is welcome.

Thanks and Regards,
Slim​

Hi Lucas,

Thank you for your post and insight.  I am embarking on a very similar business experience - working remotely, self-employed.  It is an uneasy transition coming from working in a plant environment and proclaiming hands-on experience.  But I fully concur - remote is possible.  It depends on the particular situation.  

In my case, one of my clients switched to remote reliability support as part of the strategies of coping with Covid.  Even prior, during my on-site employment with a different employer, we were sent home to work remotely for a time, then put on rotation to limit on-site personnel and in person interactions.  I found I could be very effective working afternoons, rotating remote/on-site or remote - in fact, I actually got to do asset management and reliability work, not maintenance support (fire fighting).

Kind regards,

Ingo Filip

------------------------------
Ingo Filip
Oakville ON
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 12-21-2021 04:14 PM
From: Lucas Marino
Subject: Remote jobs in Reliability and Asset Management

Hello, Slim!

I am a remote worker and have been since I retired from the military 3-years ago. It works for organizations that embrace the benefits of the option. I find it is largely a preference rather than a logical requirement in many instances. For example, I support government customers (US Navy) most of the time. Some of the program offices embrace remote work, others do not. Same program types, same positions, just some are willing to work the remote staffing model and others are not. In every instance, it is a matter of the boss's preference. Our office is heavily distributed remotely and is the most productive of the program offices (imagine that).

Our team works closely together via video conferences, travels roughly 25% for onsites, and are heavy on thought work. We are hired for our brains. Reliability engineers, maintenance planners, and life cycle engineers in our situation are analyzing designs, data from existing platforms, and working in the government's most critical weapon system acquisitions. We are not working hand-in-hand next to the equipment (which is often out at sea...). You can see how this would be problematic if we were ALSO doing the maintenance or onsite project planning. The lines between maintenance management and reliability are blurred in too many organizations in my humble opinion.

Everyone has their preference, but I will remain remote and will only work with organizations and clients who can manage change and technology enough to do the same. When physical presence is needed, I'll be there but those will be scheduled trips, not daily commutes to work. Did I mention that I get far more work done this way than I did when I was commuting 2-3 hours per day? More return on the investment for the bosses that leverage their folks accordingly.

I am also a small business owner and will only employ remote workers to keep my overhead down. No physical infrastructure costs. That money can go towards supporting customers and site visits rather than a landlord for an overpriced office in town. I'd rather give back to clients.

Respectfully,

Lucas

------------------------------
Lucas Marino, D.Eng., PMP, CMRP
Principal Life Cycle & Systems Engineer
CEO, EAST Partnership | Marino Consulting Services, LLC
lucas@eastpartnership.org

Original Message:
Sent: 12-17-2021 06:28 PM
From: Slim Ben Slimane
Subject: Remote jobs in Reliability and Asset Management

Hi Reliability and Maintenance people,

As Reliability and Asset Management consultant working in oil & gas, I've been working during COVID remotely for more than a year. I was more productive working from home and had the flexibility to travel anywhere. As I was a contractor, I moved and got a new job recently working at office. Working remotely is not part of the company's culture.
Going back to office was very difficult, so I decided to get a job remotely even if I have to switch my career. I was wondering if there is a possibility I can work in Reliability and Maintenance without changing my career whatever the industry is.

When carrying out RCM, FMECA, ECA, RBI, etc. there is no need to be on site as all these studies can be conducted virtually within a workshop.

I would prefer staying in R&M after 8 years of experience and after I got an MSc in Asset Integrity Management and especially that I'm passionate by what I'm doing.

Any advice is welcome.

Thanks and Regards,
Slim​

Some good responses. 

My 2 cents.
If a job is part of daily operation or maintenance of the plant, then working remote is not feasible. 

For support elements like many reliability type jobs are, a hybrid schedule is functional.  There is always the need for reliability professionals to visit the plant site on projects so 100% is likely not possible but 80/20 or some other split is certainly feasible.

Video conferencing and upgrades in data systems has allowed a lot of work to become remote.  However, some reliability work demands a site presence to be effective.  Such as RCFA work or condition monitoring (vibration analysis, etc.).  Can't tell you how many times I've had data or a situation repeated to me only to visit a site and see something different or things no one else observed that were critical to the task.

System reliability work is many times done in a vacuum within the system and can mostly be executed remotely.

I hope to also venture into a hybrid schedule down the road supporting reliability functions in several plants.

Good luck.

------------------------------
Randy Riddell, CMRP, PSAP, CLS
Reliability Manager
Essity
Cherokee AL
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 12-17-2021 06:28 PM
From: Slim Ben Slimane
Subject: Remote jobs in Reliability and Asset Management

Hi Reliability and Maintenance people,

As Reliability and Asset Management consultant working in oil & gas, I've been working during COVID remotely for more than a year. I was more productive working from home and had the flexibility to travel anywhere. As I was a contractor, I moved and got a new job recently working at office. Working remotely is not part of the company's culture.
Going back to office was very difficult, so I decided to get a job remotely even if I have to switch my career. I was wondering if there is a possibility I can work in Reliability and Maintenance without changing my career whatever the industry is.

When carrying out RCM, FMECA, ECA, RBI, etc. there is no need to be on site as all these studies can be conducted virtually within a workshop.

I would prefer staying in R&M after 8 years of experience and after I got an MSc in Asset Integrity Management and especially that I'm passionate by what I'm doing.

Any advice is welcome.

Thanks and Regards,
Slim​

I'm in the same camp as Randy. In a machine reliability role there needs to be a certain amount of hands-on work. Doing a failure analysis, for example, requires me to actually touch the parts as I disassemble, clean and inspect them. Evaluating installations requires me to walk around and look at them from all angles. Being there in person also allows me to talk directly to people I would not have otherwise met. Two weeks ago, for example, I was looking at a pump with a high failure rate and the operator quipped, "Yeah, one of the guys likes to dead-head it and run it dry." That information isn't available from the process data and he is never in meetings with me (online or otherwise), so I never would have gotten that important input if I wasn't standing there on the spot.

Another issue is that I believe my role includes mentoring others and teaching them new skills. For example, last week, as I was doing a part autopsy, I invited one of the mechanics to join me. We talked through the examination steps, we discussed what would cause the markings and residues we found, and we shared the excitement of that "Aha!" moment as we figured out exactly what had happened. At the same time we strengthened our relationship, increased his interest level and job satisfaction, and transferred some of the skills that will ensure these investigations and subsequent reliability improvements continue even after I sail off in another direction. Shoot, that increased my job satisfaction also.

I do work a hybrid schedule, usually 2-3 days a week in the plant and the rest at home. COVID started it, but my employer has realized that this is a really effective arrangement for roles like mine.

------------------------------
Dale Nicholson, PE, CMRP, CRL
Reliability Engineer
Evonik Corp
Lafayette IN
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 12-22-2021 12:52 PM
From: Randy Riddell
Subject: Remote jobs in Reliability and Asset Management

Some good responses.

My 2 cents.
If a job is part of daily operation or maintenance of the plant, then working remote is not feasible.

For support elements like many reliability type jobs are, a hybrid schedule is functional.  There is always the need for reliability professionals to visit the plant site on projects so 100% is likely not possible but 80/20 or some other split is certainly feasible.

Video conferencing and upgrades in data systems has allowed a lot of work to become remote.  However, some reliability work demands a site presence to be effective.  Such as RCFA work or condition monitoring (vibration analysis, etc.).  Can't tell you how many times I've had data or a situation repeated to me only to visit a site and see something different or things no one else observed that were critical to the task.

System reliability work is many times done in a vacuum within the system and can mostly be executed remotely.

I hope to also venture into a hybrid schedule down the road supporting reliability functions in several plants.

Good luck.

------------------------------
Randy Riddell, CMRP, PSAP, CLS
Reliability Manager
Essity
Cherokee AL

Original Message:
Sent: 12-17-2021 06:28 PM
From: Slim Ben Slimane
Subject: Remote jobs in Reliability and Asset Management

Hi Reliability and Maintenance people,

As Reliability and Asset Management consultant working in oil & gas, I've been working during COVID remotely for more than a year. I was more productive working from home and had the flexibility to travel anywhere. As I was a contractor, I moved and got a new job recently working at office. Working remotely is not part of the company's culture.
Going back to office was very difficult, so I decided to get a job remotely even if I have to switch my career. I was wondering if there is a possibility I can work in Reliability and Maintenance without changing my career whatever the industry is.

When carrying out RCM, FMECA, ECA, RBI, etc. there is no need to be on site as all these studies can be conducted virtually within a workshop.

I would prefer staying in R&M after 8 years of experience and after I got an MSc in Asset Integrity Management and especially that I'm passionate by what I'm doing.

Any advice is welcome.

Thanks and Regards,
Slim​

Great responses; My experience with 35 years in Maintenance and Reliability (M&R) in several industrial sectors-  chemical, petrochemical, oil and gas, refineries, utilities, etc. of which past 10 years has been in consulting arena with several clients for M&R deployment. 

During the past 1.5 years remote support has been the new norm. Having said this, to get the feel of the assets on ground, I have asked client representative to virtually relay the operating assets for which we are focusing on - say a FMEA program or RCA deployment or in case of an M&R assessment, we speak to client personnel over video conferencing and create the ambience of being in person. 

I still agree we need to have 80.20 principles here (80% remote and 20% at site) is beneficial for sure. Communication and delivery of key messages becomes the key especially in regions where native language might not be English. So, taking enough time and testing understanding plays a key leadership role as a consultant. thank you,


------------------------------
Krishnan Shrikanth CMRP
CMRP
Singapore
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 12-17-2021 06:28 PM
From: Slim Ben Slimane
Subject: Remote jobs in Reliability and Asset Management

Hi Reliability and Maintenance people,

As Reliability and Asset Management consultant working in oil & gas, I've been working during COVID remotely for more than a year. I was more productive working from home and had the flexibility to travel anywhere. As I was a contractor, I moved and got a new job recently working at office. Working remotely is not part of the company's culture.
Going back to office was very difficult, so I decided to get a job remotely even if I have to switch my career. I was wondering if there is a possibility I can work in Reliability and Maintenance without changing my career whatever the industry is.

When carrying out RCM, FMECA, ECA, RBI, etc. there is no need to be on site as all these studies can be conducted virtually within a workshop.

I would prefer staying in R&M after 8 years of experience and after I got an MSc in Asset Integrity Management and especially that I'm passionate by what I'm doing.

Any advice is welcome.

Thanks and Regards,
Slim​

Hi Slim,

I have worked 100% of the time at sites in various industries notably oil refining, petrochemical, specialty chemical, pulp and paper, and more, as a maintenance and reliability engineer and project manager. In the past 4 years I have been residence based with a global company and support multiple sites in North America where travel was up to 60% at it's peak during implementation of maintenance and reliability program at a new site (>$250mil RAV). I have done ACA, FMEA, RCA, work management, MI projects and some CBM projects. During the pandemic, I only traveled around 15% for business critical activities mostly MI related. To answer your question about working remotely, yes it is already being done most specially now with new communication tools and acceptance of remote meetings.

I hope this helps.

------------------------------
Ben Moreno
Bayer Crop Science
Houston TX
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 12-17-2021 06:28 PM
From: Slim Ben Slimane
Subject: Remote jobs in Reliability and Asset Management

Hi Reliability and Maintenance people,

As Reliability and Asset Management consultant working in oil & gas, I've been working during COVID remotely for more than a year. I was more productive working from home and had the flexibility to travel anywhere. As I was a contractor, I moved and got a new job recently working at office. Working remotely is not part of the company's culture.
Going back to office was very difficult, so I decided to get a job remotely even if I have to switch my career. I was wondering if there is a possibility I can work in Reliability and Maintenance without changing my career whatever the industry is.

When carrying out RCM, FMECA, ECA, RBI, etc. there is no need to be on site as all these studies can be conducted virtually within a workshop.

I would prefer staying in R&M after 8 years of experience and after I got an MSc in Asset Integrity Management and especially that I'm passionate by what I'm doing.

Any advice is welcome.

Thanks and Regards,
Slim​