Lead Field Service Engineer

Purpose and Mission

The senior field-based technical authority for Ropes360 Advanced Services. Leads complex rope installations/ service operations across offshore oil & gas, offshore wind, deep water mooring, mining, and structures – commanding field technician teams and acting as the primary technical interface with customers.
A pivotal role in Bekaert's shift from transactional field services to Advanced Services building the technical credibility, standardised processes, and inspection capabilities that differentiate Ropes360 in demanding global markets.

Key Activities and Responsibilities

1.  Field Technical Leadership
•    On-site technical authority for all complex service deployments – directs, supervises, and mentors field technician teams on offshore platforms, vessels, mine sites, and structures
•    Maintains personal operational capability; deployable alongside technicians on major or sensitive engagements
•    Acts as Competent Person and technical signatory where regulation demands qualified sign-off

2.  Offshore & Complex Project Management
•    End-to-end ownership of complex service contracts: site survey → scoping → execution → post-job reporting
•    Develops and approves RAMS and method statements for high-risk operations, ensuring compliance with customer, regulatory, and Bekaert standards
•    Coordinates resources, subcontractors, and logistics to deliver safely, on time, and within commercial parameters
•    Leads pre- and post-job briefings; captures and embeds lessons learned

3.  Advanced Inspection, Reporting & Technical Quality
•    Deploys and interprets MRT, VisionTek 3D optical, drone, and ultrasonic inspection technologies
•    Authors and quality-reviews engineer-certified inspection reports with clear condition assessments, life projections, and recommendations
•    Leads the rope life management programmes - iterative inspection and analysis to optimise rope selection and maximise service life
•    Supports forensic analysis of rope samples with the Bekaert Ropes Technology Centre
•    Sets and maintains globally consistent reporting standards across the technician team

4.  Customer Technical Engagement
•    Primary technical contact for complex or high-risk projects – credible at engineering manager, rig superintendent, and technical authority level
•    Supports pre-sales scoping: scope definition, methodology, resource requirements, and risk
•    Prepares and presents technical service proposals and post-project reports
•    Builds long-term relationships that position Bekaert as the preferred advanced services partner

5.  Advanced Services Development
•    Contributes to the design and commercialisation of condition-based monitoring, predictive maintenance, and bundled service contract offerings
•    Develops and deploys standardised SOPs enabling scalable, repeatable global service delivery
•    Feeds field-derived insight into new service product development and innovation
•    Supports new product and service development and qualification work. 

6.  Training & Competency
•    Designs and delivers structured training for technicians: installation, inspection, NDE interpretation, RAMS, and application best practice
•    Maintains competency assessment frameworks ensuring verifiable capability across the team
•    Delivers customer-facing training in rope handling, inspection, and maintenance

7.  Safety, Quality & Governance
•    Champions zero-harm culture – models the highest safety standards in all field environments
•    Ensures compliance with Bekaert's QMS, applicable regulations, and customer HSSE requirements
•    Drives continuous improvement across safety, quality, and service efficiency

Skills

Essential
•    8–10+ years' hands-on experience in offshore field services (oil & gas, offshore wind, or equivalent) with direct involvement in wire rope or lifting/rigging systems
•    Proven leadership of field technician teams in offshore or demanding industrial environments
•    Deep technical knowledge of wire rope: construction, fatigue, inspection criteria, and discard standards (ISO, BS EN, API, DNV)
•    Extensive RAMS and method statement development for offshore and industrial environments
•    Working knowledge of advanced inspection technologies: MRT, visual/optical systems, drone inspection, ultrasonic testing
•    Strong technical report writing – engineer-certified inspection reports and condition assessments
•    Current OPITO BOSIET/FOET and valid offshore medical (ENG1 or equivalent)
•    Engineering, technical, or mechanical qualification – minimum ONC/HNC or equivalent

Desirable
•    LEEA qualification or equivalent lifting equipment certification
•    CSWIP 3.1/3.2 or ASNT/ISO NDT Level II/III in relevant methods
•    GWO Basic Safety Training certifications
•    Synthetic/fibre rope experience in offshore applications (mooring, deep water deployment)
•    Wire rope and/or fibre rope splicing competency
•    Knowledge of API, DNV GL, and Lloyd's Register standards for offshore rope and lifting
•    Deep shaft mining rope systems (koepe winding, drum winders, shaft inspection)
•    Commercial scoping or service contract management experience