Vibration Analyst (Turbine Systems)

The Senior Vibration Analyst plays a critical role in the proactive reliability and health monitoring of gas and steam turbines and other high-speed rotating machinery. This role provides advanced diagnostics, leads condition monitoring programs, and drives strategic maintenance actions based on vibration and dynamic behavior analysis to ensure safe and efficient operation of turbomachinery assets.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Advanced Diagnostics & Analysis

• Perform detailed vibration analysis using spectrum, waveform, phase, and orbit plots to diagnose complex issues such as rotor cracks, resonance, oil whip, and rubs.

• Interpret transient and steady-state data for large rotating machinery during startup, shutdown, and operational modes.

• Validate and adjust alarm thresholds and system configurations based on machinery behavior.

2. Health Assessment & Reporting

• Deliver high-level health assessment reports with actionable insights and predictive failure timelines.

• Present findings and recommendations to cross-functional stakeholders including reliability, maintenance, and operations teams.

• Participate in failure investigations and root cause analysis (RCA).

3. Leadership in Condition Monitoring Programs

• Lead and continuously improve plant-wide condition monitoring and vibration programs for turbomachinery.

• Define equipment criticality, inspection routes, and monitoring frequency.

• Coordinate with OEMs for performance assessments and vibration audits.

4. Instrumentation and Systems Oversight

• Oversee setup, calibration, and maintenance of vibration sensors, proximity probes, and monitoring systems (e.g., Bently Nevada 3500, Emerson AMS).

• Support upgrades and tuning of online condition monitoring platforms.

• Lead acceptance testing of vibration systems during equipment commissioning.

5. Mentoring and Training

• Mentor junior and mid-level analysts in advanced vibration techniques, data interpretation, and report generation.

• Deliver training sessions and workshops to site teams on early fault detection and monitoring best practices.

Key Focus Areas:

• Turbomachinery Covered:

  • Gas turbines (GE Frame/LM, Siemens, Solar, Mitsubishi)

  • Steam turbines (high-, intermediate-, low-pressure stages)

  • Axial and centrifugal compressors, large motors, pumps, generators

• Failure Modes Analyzed:

  • Imbalance, misalignment, resonance, rotor bow/crack

  • Oil whirl/whip, rubs, electrical defects (EMI/RFI), looseness

  • Journal and rolling-element bearing defects

• Tools & Software Proficiency:

  • Bently Nevada System 1 / ADRE, Emerson AMS, SKF @ptitude

  • FFT, waveform, orbit, shaft centerline, Bode and Nyquist plots

  • SCADA / PI System / CMMS integration

• Applicable Standards & Methodologies:

  • ISO 10816 / 20816 (Vibration Severity)

  • API 670 – Machinery Protection Systems

  • ISO 18436-2 (Vibration Certification), ASME OM, ISO 7919/7928

Qualifications & Skills:

• Education:

  • Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Reliability Engineering, or a related field

• Experience:

  • 8+ years of experience in vibration analysis and diagnostics with a strong background in turbomachinery

  • Experience in high-speed rotating equipment, preferably in power plants, refineries, or OEM field services

• Certifications:

  • Vibration Analyst Level III or IV (ISO 18436-2), Mobius Institute, BINDT, or Vibration Institute

  • API 670 familiarity preferred

• Technical Expertise:

  • Advanced signal processing, condition-based monitoring, and machinery diagnostics

  • Ability to perform modal analysis, rotor dynamic assessments, and troubleshoot complex vibration cases

  • Strong understanding of machinery design, rotor balancing, and critical speed behavior

• Soft Skills:

  • Strong presentation and technical writing skills

  • Analytical mindset with problem-solving orientation

  • Proven leadership in multi-disciplinary teams and mentoring