Life of an engineer providing energy to industry
André Landry Nyek has worked in different industries as an engineer providing energy to industry. André started his fascination with engineering by mending a water pipe for his family. He believes that solving problems by taking into consideration the root cause is more important than by solving the problem by analysing the symptoms. André has now gained a lot of experience within the oil and gas, brewing, cooking oil and soap, and power generation industries. André is based in Cameroon and works for CAMINA S.A who are part of the Jindal Group.
An Electrical Engineer providing energy to power development
Background
Were you interested in how things worked when you were a child?
Yes, I think it was one of the best parts of my life. You know, when I was a child, I saw that mentoring was the principal technique to transfer knowledge. You were the child of the community not only the child of your parents. Everybody gives you advice because your success will be a success for the community. People guide you but, give you time to bring your own approaches to the issue.
“On the job training every time.”
Elder (experienced) people doing it first while you observe and showing you how to do the same thing while being very patient. Today, we are living in a sort of jungle. We have to check and double check all the time because real people are rare.
What is the earliest thing you can remember fixing or taking apart?
I remember it as if it were today. It was an amazing day. We got a water leakage in our main supply water pipe and my father told me, these are some tools and parts, fix that leak and your mother can make us dinner. I proceeded like a plumber I had seen some days before and fixed the issue. Additionally, I added a metal sheet and soil to increase the mechanical protection of the piping in that particular area where vehicles are manoeuvring at times.
Has there been a particular person who has inspired you? (famous person, family member, teacher….) and why?
My uncle, Nyeck Nyeck, who is currently the Project Director at Boissons du Cameroun Company, subsidiary of Castel Group in Cameroon (Africa) is the one who has inspired me the most. As well as the technical approaches to solving problems that I learnt from him, he teaches me that solving problems by taking into consideration the root cause is more important than by solving the problem by analysing the symptoms. Other things I learnt from him is the continuous improvement approach to obtaining new knowledge (reading books, watching technical videos, training and certification), developing new competencies and adapting my attitude.
Why did you decide to study electrical engineering rather than a different type of engineering?
As you know, development depends on the availability of enough electrical energy. I chose electrical engineering because it was my best opportunity to support my community with my ability to maintain assets and conduct development projects in the electricity sector. Electricity looks like “a God” who brings everything to life and controls it for good efficiency.
Starting work after graduation
You have been successful in working in different roles for different companies. What is your advice for someone studying engineering now in how to prepare for the job market?
I think that there are three main areas to consider.
Knowledge
Firstly, don’t study your lessons only to get good marks. Good marks are very important but saving knowledge in your head and learning how to use it is the most important thing.
Experience
Secondly, don’t turn down any experience you are offered. Each of them will shape you and build your future in your environment. For example, my first position in the company was related to my first experience as an intern.
Communicate
Thirdly, don’t be afraid to talk with people (particularly professionals) via social media or during seminars. Tell them what you know, try to understand their needs and propose your plan to help them solve their issue. Be confident, ethical, and all the time integrate safety approaches (personal and process) within your solution.
Be flexible. It is possible to get a job in another field. Feel free to study, to learn and be available.
Internships
Do you think internships are valuable and why?
Internships are most valuable. There is no progress without mistakes. An internship is the only time when you can learn and make mistakes without having to worry about losing your job. It is also your time to learn how you can put your theoretical knowledge into practice. It is also a time to experience work behaviour inside industry.
Working on packaging and bottling equipment
What are the different types of packaging equipment you have worked on? (serviced, maintained, and installed)
During my experience in the packaging industry, I have worked as a machine operator where I operated different kinds of machine:
Blowing machine SBO 8, SBO 6, SBO 8 Eco.
Filler Machine.
Labelling machine.
Wrister machine.
Dater machine.
Bundler machine.
Wrapper machine.
Forklift.
Additionally, I performed first line servicing (greasing, format changing, and parameters adjustment).
After that, I become Line Packaging Manager where I was responsible for the following things.
Managing
Managing a team of 60 employees (operators and shift managers).
Managing two automatic packaging lines running at 6400 and 12000 bottles per hour.
Supporting three semi-automatic packaging lines and one blowing unit (200 bottles per hour).
Health and Safety and Maintenance
Implementing Safe Work Practices (SWP).
Analysing, troubleshooting, fixing and repairing any technical packaging issues.
Carrying out root cause analysis and 3R (Reduce, Re-use, Recycle) theory application.
Being responsible for all machinery, line repairs, pre-planned and planned maintenance, installation of new machinery and OEE (Overall Equipment Efficiency).
Training and parts management
Organising inhouse training for operators and being responsible for parts management.
Transfer of skills
How did your skills transfer from one type of equipment to another?
My capacity to read and understand technical documents was all I needed to do this.
Working at Globeleq
Can you describe the type of engineering and energy work you did for Globeleq?
The engineering work I did falls into four main areas.
CapEx
I was in charge of CapEx. Specifically, the installation of two instrument air compressor units to replace old units where maintenance costs had become high. As well, the construction of a generator storage building with an indoor humidity regulation system combined with a bearing lubrication system and a generator rotating system.
Rebuilding
I also managed the rebuilding of 21 MVA (megavolt-amperes) generators (AMG1600SS12DSE) and performed testing to validate construction as recommended by the standard.
RCA
I carried out many RCA (root cause analysis) on valve breakages on the wärtsilä engine 50DF, 11kV breaker explosion HD4/P.
Maintenance in the energy field
I also carried out a lot of major maintenance in the field (24khrs, 36khrs) for Wärtsilä engine 50DF and L1, L2, and L3 for ABB generator AMG1600SS12DSE.
Leadership
You worked in the role of lead engineer. How quickly did you adjust to leading and managing other people?
To be honest, since I was young, I have been leading and managing others. As the first child of six, I was born to lead people. When I was at university, I held the position of deputy secretary in charge of accommodation in the Union. I had more than 10k students to manage daily. At Maya company, I had 60 people to manage. When I was in the electrical team at Globeleq – Kribi, I had 11 people and then 3 during COVID-19 time. During my time in the engineering department, I have just managed subcontractors.
Moving into a leadership role in the energy sector
What advice would you give to an engineer moving into a lead role?
Integrate
First, you have to integrate as if you are a member of your team. You are responsible for the success and failure of your teammates. You are there to guide your team not to show them you are the best.
Communication
Develop good communication skills and availability where you can talk with your teammates. You are the protector of your teammates.
Feedback
Always be prepared to congratulate someone who has made a valuable contribution. Give feedback regularly not with words which can discourage people but, in order to help them to improve.
Support
Ensure that everyone has the appropriate tools for their job, and design training for competency development. Define SMART objectives for the team.
Typical week
What’s your typical week like at Syngan Power Cameroon Ltd?
A typical week at Syngan Power begins with a customer meeting where I get needs with all details.
Then I prepare to meet with the Syngan Power team specifically the project team where I share information from the customer, design a WBS (Work Break Structure) and allocate actions to everyone with a timeframe.
Next, I collect data from the team and produce all technical documents. Then I transfer documents to the customer for validation and meanwhile, I prepare the team for mobilisation. I do this by developing a communication plan.
At this stage, we mobilise in the field. We accomplish the job, perform commissioning in presence of the customer and sign the HOC (Hand Over Certificate).
While we are doing this, I maintain communication with all partners, and the customer where we have accomplished the job under warranty.
How much of your time is spent on site and how much with admin and other tasks?
Because my team is composed of talented technicians, I can allocate my time 30%/70%. I make sure that all procedures and work instructions are available for a team and tools too.
Which other parts (people) of the organisation give you support?
The General Manager supports me as well as the logistics department.
What do you think will be the biggest change in the energy equipment you work on in the next five years?
At the moment I am working on the rehabilitation of 5 diesel generators. Since 2010 those generators have been supplying power to the site (mining industry). Over the next 5 years, we are going to replace them with new ones or by connecting the site to the national grid.
Most challenging part of the job
What has been your most challenging engineering job in the energy field ever?
Rebuilding of 21 MVA generator ABB AMG1600SS12DSE is the most challenging engineering job I have ever had to do.
Firstly, it was the first time I had done this type of activity at this level.
Secondly, we didn’t have an expert inhouse or local company who could guide us. I convinced top management that I could manage the project.
I prepared all the technical documents with internal stakeholders (procurement, legal, tax). The project cost was 1.8 million US dollars. We carried out external investigations, supervised the repair job with FAT (Factory Acceptance Test) for coils in India and FAT at a workshop in Douala where I carried out the commissioning after repair and organised transport to the power plant. At the power plant, we carried out all installation activities and synchronised the generator to the grid successfully.
Health and Safety
How do you ensure that everyone follows health and safety procedures at all times? (how do you convince them of the importance of these things)
My first approach is to increase the safety culture inside the team by integrating the safety aspect when writing the Job Safety Analysis. Every morning during a daily meeting we talk about some safety aspect related to one of our daily activities. One team member is in charge of preparing and presenting the subject.
My second approach is to integrate a safety objective within the annual performance evaluation.
My third approach is to produce a map classification based on the SPIES model of ExxonMobil.
“The SPIES model helps explain the shifts along an individual’s safety journey from being about compliance and taking care of ‘Self,’ being ‘Political’ to satisfy my boss’s needs, through ‘Intellectual,’ ‘Emotional’ and ultimately ‘Spiritual’ shifts”.
My fourth approach consists of everyone putting on our safety board one reason why we should work safely. For example, pictures of children or other family members and specific messages from family members, for example:
“Please stop my father if he is working in unsafe conditions.”
Explaining technical issues
How do you explain technical issues to non-technical people? Can you give examples?
My approach to explaining technical issues to non-technical people is to focus on facts or behaviour from something similar in their everyday lives.
I am reminded of the day when the committee of academics asked me to explain my final research topic:
“Upgrade of industrial automation of Kieselguhr process: Case of beer filtration system in SABC Douala – Koumassi Production plant.”
For this topic, I had designed a supervision platform and written a
program for PLC to run the filter.
For the supervision platform, with many women in the place I used the example of a gynaecology machine to help them understand. The analogy is that as the screening machine helps the gynaecologist to see the baby for pregnant woman, our supervision platform helps the filtration manager to see how the filter works.
For the PLC program, I asked the audience when they had eaten, who tells the stomach to start digestion? The answer was that God put the instruction in the stomach. So, I told them that it is the same message that I also wrote which will allow the filter to filter the beer once available.
All these examples and explanations meant that I received a standing ovation.
Making a winner
What makes the type of field service engineer who is tomorrow’s lead engineer?
These are the key qualities: personal drive, training, organisation, ability to think outside the box, good communication skills, integrity, research, confidence, knowing when to ask for help.
How important are communication and people skills?
Communication is the key as well as empathy.
How important is ongoing training?
Ongoing training is more important because it is the only way for everyone to stay competitive. Field engineers need to stay aware of technology and innovation.
In your opinion, can a good engineer adapt to working on any type of equipment and in any industry?
A good engineer needs to be flexible. Industry is not a static system and that is why everyone will benefit from developing new skills, doing technological monitoring, training on new innovations with the aim of always remaining competitive and providing added value through their actions and strategies put in place to ensure growth.
SIRIAC International worked on two projects
4000 hours maintenance and replacement of engine block on two marine engine W26 in Nigeria at Prince Johannsson II marine vessel in collaboration with Bright Marine and AWARITSE Nigeria Limited. He oversaw cable laying, sensors installations, and commissioning with focus on safety checks.
L4 maintenance on AMG 0900 generator at IAMGOLD ESSAKANE in collaboration with Djolof Engineering in Burkina Faso where he oversaw electrical activities (testing and clearance measurement).
ALL MARITIME AND POWER PLANT COMPANY two projects
Working as a Service Engineer inside the WÄRTSILÄ Upgrade Project (WECS to UNIC) at Kribi Power Plant where we installed modules, laid cables, installed sensors, performed glanding and terminations, and coordinated activity in the field with the customer.
Working as a Project Engineer and Field Service Engineer in preparation of upgrade Project at Kribi Power Plant where we installed modules (Power modules, CFR panel, GPS antenna), laid cables (Fibre Optic cables, Ethernet cables, Halogen free cables), tested optical fibres, planned/scheduled activities, reported activities and performance calculation, wrote the method statement and job safety analysis, supervised team (3 technicians), etc.
About André Landry Nyek
André has a bachelor’s degree in Physics, a master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, and Agile Project Management certification (Scrum Master). He has undergone extensive training in various areas and brings a wealth of expertise and proactive problem-solving skills to electrical engineering and project management roles.
Some of the work he has been involved in which is not mentioned above is as follows.
Further reading
Bosch Field Service Engineer working in steam energy for boilers
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