Director, Instrumentation Effectiveness

Location: Phoenix, AZ (Hybrid)

Travel: Up to 50% Domestic & International Travel

Employment Type: Direct Hire

Brunel is currently recruiting for a Director, Instrumentation Effectiveness on behalf of a leading global organization within the mining and natural resources sector. This strategic leadership role is responsible for developing and executing enterprise-wide instrumentation reliability and lifecycle management programs across multiple operations throughout the Americas.

The successful candidate will drive instrumentation standards, asset reliability, maintenance excellence, and technology adoption to ensure safe, efficient, and data-driven operations. This position partners closely with site operations, maintenance, engineering, and reliability teams to establish best practices, improve equipment performance, and optimize instrumentation strategies across a complex operating environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and implement enterprise-wide instrumentation reliability and lifecycle management strategies.
• Establish technical standards governing the selection, installation, maintenance, monitoring, and replacement of field instrumentation.
• Drive standardization of instrumentation systems, sensor specifications, installation practices, and technical documentation across multiple sites.
• Collaborate with site leadership to improve asset performance, reduce unplanned downtime, and enhance operational reliability.
• Define and monitor KPIs related to instrumentation health, reliability, maintenance effectiveness, and system performance.
• Lead instrumentation assessments across surface and underground operations to identify improvement opportunities and optimize asset performance.
• Develop risk-based maintenance, condition monitoring, and replacement strategies informed by reliability analysis and asset criticality.
• Support the implementation of advanced technologies including predictive analytics, AI-driven monitoring solutions, digital twin platforms, and centralized configuration management systems.
• Establish commissioning, testing, calibration, inspection, and acceptance standards for instrumentation assets.
• Evaluate internal technical capabilities and determine requirements for external engineering or technical support services.
• Promote workforce development through technical training, knowledge sharing, and best practice implementation.
• Ensure compliance with safety regulations, engineering standards, and environmental requirements.
• Partner with operations and maintenance teams to improve instrumentation effectiveness, process control performance, and data quality.

Required Qualifications

Education & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Electronic Engineering, Instrumentation Engineering, or a related technical discipline with 15+ years of maintenance and reliability experience in mining, heavy industrial, processing, or similar operations.

OR

• Master's degree (MBA, M.Eng., M.S., or equivalent) with 12+ years of relevant maintenance and reliability experience.

Technical Qualifications

• Proven maintenance management and leadership experience within large industrial environments.
• Experience leading diverse, multi-site technical teams in a matrixed organization.
• Strong knowledge of industrial instrumentation, including:
• Instrument selection and specification
• Installation and commissioning
• Calibration and maintenance
• Process control systems
• Industrial communication networks
• Understanding of ISA standards and industry best practices.
• Experience implementing instrumentation lifecycle management programs.
• Knowledge of Root Cause Failure Analysis (RCFA) methodologies.
• Experience with SAP Maintenance Module, CMMS platforms, and reliability systems.
• Working knowledge of variable frequency drives (VFDs).
• Strong understanding of mining, mineral processing, or heavy industrial operations.
• Experience with project management, budgeting, and cost control.
• Knowledge of NEC, NESC, MSHA, OSHA, and applicable safety regulations.
• Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Office and asset management systems.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience leading capital projects focused on instrumentation, controls, or electrical systems.
• Familiarity with Six Sigma, Lean, or Total Quality Management (TQM) principles.
• Strong technical communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Experience driving safety culture improvements through engineering and maintenance excellence.
• Knowledge of emerging digital technologies, predictive maintenance tools, and advanced analytics platforms.

What Our Client Offers

• Competitive compensation package
• Annual performance-based incentive opportunities
• Long-term incentive eligibility
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage
• 401(k) with company match
• Paid time off and company holidays
• Tuition assistance and professional development programs
• Career growth opportunities within a global organization

Additional Requirements

• Ability to travel up to 50% domestically and internationally.
• Ability to work in mining and industrial environments, including occasional work at elevated locations.
• Must be able to meet all applicable site access and pre-employment screening requirements.