Principal Engineering Technician- Maintenance Engineering at The Kenya BioVax Institute

Job Purpose:

The Principal Engineering Technician, Maintenance Engineering section shall carry out all maintenance engineering functions in the section such as scheduled and breakdown maintenance of engineering equipment and plants. This includes checking, repairing, and servicing machinery, equipment, systems, and infrastructures. The officer shall support the leadership, accountability, responsibility and implementation of strategies in the section to maintain manufacturing machinery or equipment, using any combination of electrical, electronic, mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic, or computer technologies. This is in order to ensure efficient production of products, including vaccines, other biologicals, pharmaceuticals and other health product technologies at the right quantity, quality, cost and timely manner.

Requirements:

• At least eight (8) years relevant work experience;
• Diploma in any of the following disciplines: Mechanical Engineering, Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Biomedical Engineering or equivalent qualification from a recognized institution;
• Supervisory course lasting not less than two (2) weeks from a recognized institution;
• Demonstrated merit and ability as reflected in work performance and results;
• Proven track record with leading safety and continuous improvement initiatives;
• Member of a professional body where applicable.

Job Specification

Key Competencies and skills

• Analytical and conceptual skills;
• Good verbal and written communication skills;
• Be a team player;
• Attention to details;
• Persuasiveness;
• Conflict management;
• Adaptability;
• Ability to work under pressure;
• Results-driven; and
• Sound decision-making skills.

Key Duties & Responsibilities

• Support in supervising officers to comply with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and Good Laboratory Practices (GLP);
• Carryout timely and effective maintenance activities of all factory equipment and machinery (Routine, preventive and corrective maintenance);
• Implement compliance with Occupational Safety and Health Act 2007 (OSHA) and Environmental management requirements;
• Participate in the collaboration with Production, Marketing and Quality Assurance functions in the bio-production and packaging operations to ensure timely delivery of quality products;
• Carryout section’s strategies, decisions and policies as communicated by the Principal Engineer;
• Participate in process improvement projects and provide technical advice on Institute wide maintenance engineering of projects;
• Participate in the preparation of work plans, section budget and performance targets and support their full implementation;
• Draft, seek approval, execute and maintain manual and digital SOPs, Batch Records, and logbook documentation with detail and accuracy in a timely manner;
• Prepare standard operating procedures, equipment master list, and equipment qualification plan and present them to the Principal Engineer for review and approval;
• Participate in collaboration with other functional areas and external agencies for maintenance, machine breakdown, modification and calibration;
• Conduct proper utilization, preventive maintenance and calibration of equipment and machinery according to schedule in liaison with relevant functional areas;
• Perform Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) by utilizing a focused risk-based approach to protect the critical areas and adhere to procedures and support good aseptic practices;
• Participate in liaison with relevant functional areas to undertake training needs assessment of engineering personnel and provide on-job training;
• Participate in the development of staff to create a cohesive and highly skilled team through effective mentoring, coaching, performance management, and communication.
• Execute assigned Key Performance Indicators;
• Participate in the design of new equipment, equipment modifications and maintenance engineering plans to provide for new product introductions and continuous improvement activities;
• Participate in the sensitization and in-house training for new maintenance engineering technologies and new equipment and machinery; and
• Provide regular, thorough and prompt communication to the Principal Engineer, maintenance Engineering Section on key technical, financial and administrative matters in the section.