Globeleq is a leading independent power producer actively developing and operating power projects in Africa. With diverse portfolio, the company utilizes various technologies to generate reliable and sustainable energy.

The Menengai Geothermal Project is a 35 MW greenfield geothermal power plant, forming part of the first phase of the larger Menengai complex. This marks Kenya’s second large scale geothermal development after Olkaria. Once the plant reaches commercial operation at the end of 2025, Globeleq will be responsible for its Operation and Maintenance (O&M).

The Geothermal Development Company (GDC) a Kenyan government owned entity will supply steam to the project under a 25-year Project Implementation and Steam Supply Agreement (PISSA).

Electricity generated will be sold to Kenya Power, the national distribution company under a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) for the same period. The project will deliver clean, affordable and reliable baseload power to Kenya’s national grid, supporting the monetization of Menengai geothermal resources.

As the project shareholder, Globeleq is leading its construction, operation and long-term management.

We have partnered with Smart4Energy for this recruitment, in case of any queries kindly reach out to the team by emailing hello@smart4energytalent.com

The Mechanical Engineer will lead the implementation of preventive, predictive, and corrective maintenance activities across all mechanical systems at the Menengai Geothermal Power Plant. The role is critical in ensuring high plant availability, minimal parasitic load, optimal equipment performance, and full compliance with safety, quality, and industry best practices.

Operating within the framework of Globeleq’s policies and standards, as well as the requirements of the EPC, PISSA, PPA, LTSA, and O&M agreements, the Mechanical Engineer will supervise a team of Mechanical Technicians. The role will collaborate closely with other engineering disciplines and the broader O&M team to ensure sustained plant performance, availability, and reliability.

1) Mobilisation Period (Pre-COD)

- Review O&M manuals, manufacturer’s recommendations, and EPC documentation for adequacy and completeness.

- Support in development of plant-specific maintenance procedures, schedules, and records ahead of commissioning.

- Validate EPC-supplied spare parts, tools, and consumables.

- Participate in site inspections, contractor-led training, and pre-commissioning and commissioning activities.

- Input into CMMS setup (IFS) and spare parts planning.

2) Operation Period (Post COD)

a) Maintenance execution

- Plan and oversee preventive, predictive, and corrective maintenance.

- Maintain, troubleshoot and repair systems including:

· Steam turbine and auxiliaries

· Pumps, valves, actuators, traps, insulation, cladding and piping systems

· HVAC, Fire fighting systems and diesel generator

· Workshop equipment (e.g., welders, lathes, grinders

· Balance of Plant systems

- Implement LOTO, permit-to-work, and other HSESS requirements.

- Utilize CMMS (IFS) for job planning, execution, and documentation.

- Manage contractors and maintenance support teams.

- Manage tools, consumables, spare parts inventory and reorder planning.

b) Preventive Maintenance

As part of preventative maintenance activities, the Mechanical Engineer:

- Participate in mechanical inspections (A, B, and C) of power generation equipment, auxiliaries, and balance of plant systems.

- Supervise tests and functional checks conducted on mechanical systems and components.

- Read, interpret, and modify mechanical drawings, including pneumatic and hydraulic schematics, P&IDs, and assembly diagrams.

- Execute maintenance operations as per the established maintenance program.

- Review OEM maintenance procedures and adapt them where necessary to suit site-specific requirements; ensure updates are documented in the CMMS (IFS).

- Validate and issue work instructions to guide maintenance tasks.

- Supervise and ensure proper assembly, alignment, and installation of mechanical components.

- Perform maintenance activities either independently or with Mechanical Technicians, depending on the scope and complexity.

- Verify and close out maintenance work notifications and work orders/ reports in the CMMS (IFS).

- Develop, validate, and implement systematic preventive maintenance procedures and continuous improvement changes.

- Participate in and execute planned maintenance tasks during minor and major overhauls.

- Conduct condition monitoring, analyse equipment trends, and support root cause failure investigations.

- Prepare or review detailed work instructions based on available documentation and liaise with requestors for clarification as needed.

- Work hands-on with Technicians during scheduled maintenance of the turbine, pumps, valves, piping, and other mechanical BOP systems.

- Ability to operate various machine shop tools and equipment, including drill presses, grinders, MIG/TIG/stick welders, cutters, chop saws, pneumatic tools, and standard hand tools.

c) Corrective Maintenance

The priority of interventions is defined at the daily joint meeting between maintenance and operation teams. Based on intervention orders issued by Maintenance Manager the Mechanical Engineer will,

- Prepare for planned interventions by reviewing documentation and confirming required resources.

- Request Lock-Out/Tag-Out (LOTO) of equipment from the Operations Department via the CMMS (IFS).

- Retrieve necessary mechanical diagrams and request additional technical information (e.g., location, nature of defect) from the issuer of the intervention notice if required.

- Carry out maintenance interventions only with a valid Work Permit issued by the Operations Department and with approved parts or tools collected from the stores.

- Document completed interventions by writing detailed reports in IFS/CMMS.

- Respond promptly to incidental or emergency malfunctions upon request by the Shift Engineer or his superiors, analysing faults and proposing immediate solutions.

- Provide operational explanations to equipment users when required to ensure proper usage and minimize misuse-related failures.

- Anticipate recurring equipment issues and proactively propose technical solutions to reduce or eliminate repeated breakdowns.

- Analyse technical problems, select the appropriate diagnostic method and tools, and implement effective repair strategies.

- Perform detailed fault diagnostics and execute repairs in compliance with safety procedures and LOTO requirements.

- Respond to urgent equipment failures, carry out root cause analyses, and recommend sustainable corrective actions or design/process improvements.

- Participate in daily maintenance planning meetings, offering technical insights and supporting coordination with Operations.

- Log all maintenance activities, findings, and improvement suggestions in the CMMS for performance tracking and reporting.

- Provide coverage and technical support in the absence of Mechanical Technicians to maintain maintenance continuity and response readiness.

d) Leadership and Administration

- Supervise and evaluate Mechanical Technicians through biannual reviews.

- Mentor interns and temporary staff as needed.

- Identify training needs and coach team members to improve output.

- Provide regular progress updates to the Maintenance Manager.

- Escalate unresolved issues and propose continuous improvement initiatives.

e) Compliance and HSESS

- Enforce Globeleq HSESS and plant-specific procedures.

- Conduct audits and ensure compliance with OEM and company policies.

- Monitor quality and completeness of executed work.

- Lead acceptance inspections and document work evaluations.
- Integrate QA/QC into all maintenance processes.

Education:

- Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering or equivalent.
- Professional registration with the Engineers Board of Kenya (EBK)

Experience:

- Minimum 5 years in power plant operations environment, preferably geothermal or steam turbine-based environment.

- At least 3 years in a supervisory or team-lead capacity.

Technical Competencies:

- Expert in rotating equipment and mechanical systems maintenance and fabrication.

- Strong knowledge of steam turbines, pumps, valves, piping, and cooling systems.

- Skilled in reading and interpreting P&IDs, schematics, and diagrams.

- Proficient in CMMS (IFS preferred) and Microsoft Office Suite.

- Familiar with SCADA/PLC/DCS and industrial control systems.

- Root Cause Analysis (RCA) and troubleshooting proficiency.

- Machine shop skills (welding, cutting, lathe/milling, etc.).

- Strong diagnostic and troubleshooting ability.

- Leadership in team supervision, contractor oversight, and performance evaluation.

Behavioural Attributes:

- High personal integrity and safety-first mindset.

- Strong leadership, mentoring, and team-building skills.

- Excellent written and verbal communication.

- Self-driven, results-oriented, and adaptable.

- Willingness to work shifts, weekends, and respond to emergencies.

- Commitment to continuous improvement and problem-solving.