what is the role of mechanical engineer in project management?
there are many role of mechanical engineer in project management. A mechanical engineer has higher opportunity to get various role compare to other engineering disciplines. Project usually start with FEED and end with commissioning or “Put In Service” and then project close out. In FEED – Front End Engineering design, Process engineers will be the key person. they will make the grand design and calculate input & out parameters like flow rate of main material until product capacity. the project deliverable is a set of Process Flow Diagrams (PFD)
Role of mechanical engineer in project management – Detail engineering phase
in detail engineering phase, project team will have many groups. they will develop PID, equipment package, equipment engineering design, Piping classes, bill of material etc. A mechanical engineer may contribute as Piping engineer or Pipeline engineer who design process piping in a plant and pipeline specification. a mechanical engineer may choose as Pressure vessel engineer or tank engineer who design the pressure vessel and tank. a mechanical engineer may be take a role as welding engineer who design the welding specification in the project.
Role of mechanical engineer in project management – construction phase
During construction phase, a project will recruit additional employee. Project also has many contractors and subcontractors. A mechanical engineer may take a role as Project engineer who control the project schedule and budget. A mechanical engineer also can take a role as Supervisor who supervise equipment installation. Below are another role of mechanical engineer in project management during construction phase:
- Piping inspector – manage quality assurance and quality control of piping installation
- Pipeline inspector – manage quality assurance and quality control of pipeline installation
- Pressure vessel inspector – manage quality assurance and quality control of pressure vessel installation
- Tank inspector – manage quality assurance and quality control of tank installation
- Welding inspector – manage quality assurance and quality control of welding
- material supervisor – manage material handling
the best role of mechanical engineer in project management is the Project Manager.