Machinery Specialist (Advisor-Contract)

Location: United States Job Title: Machinery Specialist Status: Contract/Hourly Becht is a 4.9 STAR Glassdoor company & certified Great Place to Work! Are you a seasoned Machinery Specialist with deep hands-on experience in rotating equipment maintenance, turnaround surveillance, and shop-quality oversight? Becht’s Machinery & Reliability Services team supports clients with world-class expertise across the full lifecycle of machinery maintenance, turnaround execution, field troubleshooting, and equipment reliability improvement. Our advisors bring decades of practical, shop-floor, and field experience, enabling high-value guidance that blends technical rigor with real-world judgment. Becht’s reputation is built on delivering trusted expertise that helps our clients execute safely, efficiently, and to the highest quality standards. We are seeking contract Machinery Specialists (Advisors) to support our expanding portfolio of turnaround, maintenance, and machinery oversight engagements. The ideal candidate is a hands-on professional with substantial rotating equipment craft, shop, or inspection experience — someone who has been the “go-to” resource for troubleshooting, failure investigations, job-site quality assurance, and contractor guidance. Location Remote with some travel for turnaround assignments, shop inspections, field surveillance, and other client needs (typically U.S.-based). Schedule This is a contract position. Work hours will vary depending on project workload, turnaround schedules, shop repair needs, and client requirements. Responsibilities Support and Oversee Machinery Maintenance & Turnaround Activities Work with client teams, planners, shops, vendors, and contractors to ensure rotating equipment is maintained, repaired, and returned to service safely, correctly, and on schedule. Key activities include: Auditing major and minor maintenance plans and verifying readiness for execution. Overseeing disassembly, inspection, repair, reassembly, and alignment of pumps, steam turbines, compressors (centrifugal, reciprocating, rotary), gearboxes, and other critical rotating assets — both in the field and in the shop. Providing QA/QC oversight of repair shops, confirming workmanship, documentation, tolerances, component condition, and compliance with API and OEM requirements. Monitoring progression during turnarounds, reporting status, identifying schedule risks, and advising on scope changes or repair strategy adjustments. Performing field inspections, installation checks, preservation verification, and equipment condition assessments. Supporting machinery start-ups by observing vibration, temperature, seal systems, and operational stabilization. Conducting or contributing to root-cause failure analysis and recommending corrective actions to improve reliability and MTBF. Identifying equipment bad actors and supporting improvements in lubrication, alignment, vibration programs, and operator surveillance rounds. Coordinating with planners, engineers, vendors, and contractors to align expectations on scope, sequencing, repair methods, and documentation. Preparing or reviewing scopes of work, quality plans, inspection test plans, and repair documentation packages in accordance with Becht standards. Client Relationship Management Build and maintain strong working relationships with client maintenance, reliability, and turnaround teams. Provide consistent, practical, field-ready guidance while understanding each client’s unique requirements, expectations, and operating environments. Business Development In collaboration with Becht leadership, contribute to the growth of machinery and turnaround support services by: Leveraging industry experience, relationships, and reputation to identify opportunities where Becht’s machinery expertise provides value. Supporting proposals, turnaround readiness reviews, or client discussions related to rotating equipment. Helping identify broader needs in maintenance, reliability, and turnaround execution where Becht can further support client success. Qualifications Required Qualifications 15+ years of experience in rotating equipment maintenance, shop repair, turnaround execution, or related industrial machinery roles. Demonstrated hands-on expertise with pumps, compressors, turbines, gearboxes, and other critical rotating assets. Strong QA/QC and inspection background, with practical knowledge of API standards and OEM requirements. Experience providing field oversight, troubleshooting, contractor supervision, or shop-quality management. Ability to work in dynamic industrial environments with multiple stakeholders. Strong communication and documentation skills. Willingness to travel as required for turnarounds, shop visits, or field assignments. Preferred Qualifications Experience progressing from machinist, millwright, or shop technician into inspection, QA/QC, reliability, or advisory roles. Familiarity with vibration, alignment, lubrication, and reliability improvement programs. Prior owner/operator experience. Certifications such as API, CMRP, or equivalent technical credentials. If you've supported compressor overhauls, rebuilt process pumps, conducted shop inspections, or served as the machinery expert everyone calls when equipment fails — this role is an excellent match for your skills and experience. Who is Becht? Founded in 1964, Becht is a rapidly-growing, multi-discipline global consulting firm relied on by customers to relentlessly solve their most difficult and entrenched problems. We combine vast experience through our network of over 1,200 technical experts with both engineering expertise and professional experience. Becht is a company founded on excellence, and as such we seek individuals who want to be part of our passionate and energetic team.If you have a desire to be a part of a professional and growing global organization whose core mission is to help our clients succeed, we would like to hear from you! This position is for work on a project-by-project basis. There is no guarantee for work until Becht has signed a contract with a client for services. Becht is an Equal Opportunity Employer.