Lead Inspector

The Lead Inspector is responsible for leading the refinery's statutory and risk-based inspection programmes to ensure the continued mechanical integrity, safety, reliability and regulatory compliance of all fixed equipment. The role provides technical leadership to the inspection team and is accountable for planning, coordinating and assuring the execution of inspections on pressure vessels, piping systems, storage tanks, heat exchangers and associated refinery assets.
The incumbent ensures inspection activities are executed in accordance with statutory legislation, API standards, company requirements and industry best practice while supporting operational excellence, refinery availability and process safety. The Lead Inspector plays a critical role in protecting refinery assets through proactive inspection strategies, fitness-for-service assessments and effective defect management.

Operational Effectiveness

• Lead the development, planning and execution of the refinery's inspection programmes for fixed equipment.

• Ensure compliance with Pressure Equipment Regulations (PER), Occupational Health and Safety Act, API Standards and company Asset Integrity requirements.

• Coordinate statutory inspections of pressure vessels, piping, tanks, boilers, heat exchangers and associated equipment.

• Review inspection findings and determine equipment fitness for continued service.

• Lead risk-based inspection planning in conjunction with the RBI Engineer.

• Ensure inspection frequencies are aligned with equipment criticality and degradation mechanisms.

• Review corrosion monitoring data, inspection reports and NDT results to identify deterioration trends.

• Develop repair recommendations and inspection scopes based on engineering assessment.

• Coordinate inspection activities during refinery turnarounds and major shutdowns.

• Ensure inspection work packs are developed, quality assured and executed safely.

• Lead Fitness-for-Service (API 579) assessments where applicable.

• Review and approve contractor inspection methodologies and quality documentation.

• Drive continuous improvement of inspection processes, standards and asset integrity programmes.

• Maintain accurate inspection records within SAP and Asset Integrity Management Systems.

• Support incident investigations, failure analyses and Root Cause Analysis (RCA) activities.

• Participate in Management of Change (MOC), Process Hazard Analyses (PHA), HAZOP studies and Pre-Start-up Safety Reviews (PSSR).

• Provide technical advice on equipment repairs, alterations and replacements.

• Support capital projects by reviewing inspection requirements during design and commissioning.

• Ensure refinery inspection KPIs are achieved and reported.

People Management

• Lead, coach and mentor the refinery inspection team.

• Allocate inspection resources to support refinery operations and turnaround activities.

• Ensure inspection personnel maintain required statutory certifications and technical competency.

• Monitor contractor performance and ensure work meets required quality standards.

• Conduct performance discussions and support employee development.

• Promote technical excellence and continuous professional development within the inspection team.

• Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration and continuous improvement.

• Live and promote Astron Energy's Leadership DNA and Company Values.

Safety, Health, Environment and Quality:

• Champion Zero Harm and reinforce process safety leadership.

• Ensure all inspection activities comply with SHEQ requirements and Operational Management System (OMS) standards.

• Ensure safe execution of intrusive inspections, confined space entries and high-risk activities.

• Verify inspection activities comply with refinery permit-to-work requirements.

• Participate in incident investigations and ensure lessons learnt are implemented.

• Identify mechanical integrity risks before they develop into process safety incidents.

• Ensure all inspection activities meet company quality standards and regulatory requirements.

• Steward Mechanical Integrity and Asset Integrity continuous improvement initiatives.

Stakeholder Relationship Management:

• Build trusted relationships with Operations, Maintenance, Engineering and Projects.

• Liaise with Reliability Engineers, RBI Engineers and Corrosion Engineers to optimise equipment performance.

• Coordinate statutory inspections with Approved Inspection Authorities (AIA).

• Manage specialist NDT contractors and inspection service providers.

• Provide technical guidance to Operations during equipment condition assessments.

• Support Procurement during technical evaluations of inspection contracts.

• Engage OEMs and specialist engineering consultants where required.

Professional Qualification and Certifications:

• Bachelor of Engineering in Mechanical Engineering or Metallurgical Engineering (NQF 6/7).

• API 510 Pressure Vessel Inspector Certification (Essential).

• API 570 Piping Inspector Certification (Essential).

• API 653 Above Ground Storage Tank Inspector (Preferred).

• API 580 Risk-Based Inspection (Advantageous).

• ASNT Level II/III or equivalent NDT knowledge advantageous.

• Registration with ECSA or SAIMechE advantageous.

Work Experience:

• Minimum 8–10 years' experience in refinery or petrochemical inspection.

• Minimum 3–5 years leading refinery inspection programmes or inspection teams.

• Extensive experience with pressure vessels, piping systems, storage tanks and heat exchangers.

• Strong knowledge of refinery degradation mechanisms and corrosion management.

• Experience supporting major refinery shutdowns and turnarounds.

• Proven experience with statutory inspections and regulatory compliance.

• Experience with SAP PM or equivalent maintenance management systems.

• Experience conducting Fitness-for-Service assessments and Root Cause Analysis.

• Demonstrated experience managing specialist contractors.

Application deadline:

30 July 2026