Mechanical Engineer 3 Job Summary: Talent Software Services is in search of a Mechanical Engineer for a contract position that can be worked 100% remotely. The opportunity will be one year with a strong chance for a long-term extension. Position Summary: Purpose of the Team: The purpose of this team is to support the alarm management program, specifically reviewing and improving the mechanical side of alarms for local data centers, including evaluating alarms, optimizing how alarms are triggered, and reducing unnecessary alarm volume. Key projects: This role will contribute to alarm suppression improvements, reducing alarm volume, reviewing flood ICMS, evaluating mechanical alarm set points, and collaborating with teams and vendors on changes to alarm processes. The Mechanical Engineer supports the Alarm Management Program (AMP) by designing, evaluating, testing, and improving mechanical and thermal systems with emphasis on alarm performance. The role ensures alarms generated by Building Automation Systems (Client), supporting instrumentation, and associated control systems are reliable, actionable, and aligned to alarm management principles (e.g., ISA 18.2) used in datacenters and other mission critical environments. Primary Responsibilities/Accountabilities: Design, develop, evaluate, and test mechanical equipment and systems (cooling plants, pumps, valves, heat exchangers, generators support systems, ventilation) with focus on alarm behavior and operational usability. Interpret
engineering drawings, P&IDs, and equipment sequences to identify alarm sources, sensor placement, and control interactions driving nuisance alarms. Support commissioning, maintenance, and operation of mechanical systems by ensuring alarms represent abnormal conditions and avoid normal transient states. Evaluate cost effectiveness, reliability, safety, and performance impacts of mechanical designs and alarm models. Estimate time and cost to complete
engineering projects related to alarm improvements, setpoint changes, and mechanical control modifications. Simulate, test, and analyze system operation to validate alarm performance during normal, abnormal, and transition operating states (start/stop, lead/lag, staging, switchover). Support formal alarm management activities including alarm rationalization, limit/setpoint reviews, delay and deadband tuning, shelving and suppression strategies, and state-based alarming. Work with cross functional teams (Mechanical, Electrical, Controls/ICSE, Operations, Vendors) to drive reductions in nuisance alarms and alarm floods through
engineering and configuration improvements. Investigate and assess vendor products and competing solutions for mechanical system alarming behavior, integration, and operational usability. Provide technical input for incident (IcM) remediation by identifying contributing mechanical factors (equipment condition, control sequence, sensor noise) and recommending preventive changes. A typical day in this role begins with reviewing recent Alarm Flood IcMs and recurring alarm trends across supported sites. The engineer evaluates alarm behavior, severity, frequency, and initiating conditions to identify opportunities for improvement.Daily work includes direct collaboration with site Operations,
Engineering, and Instrumentation/Controls teams. This collaboration focuses on reviewing alarms currently impacting operators and determining whether changes can be made to the way alarms are engineered-such as setpoints, delays, deadbands, suppression logic, or state based alarming-to reduce alarm volume and improve alarm quality.The engineer actively participates in local and regional alarm management meetings, representing the Global Alarm Management Program to ensure alarm improvements align with program standards and best practices. This ensures proposed changes drive measurable reductions in nuisance alarms while maintaining safe and reliable system operation. In parallel, the engineer works closely with other members of the Global Alarm Management team to evaluate whether site level improvements are candidates for global implementation. Promising changes are analyzed for scalability, risk, and applicability across similar systems and regions, supporting continuous improvement of alarm performance across the global fleet. Throughout the day, the role balances technical analysis, stakeholder collaboration, and
engineering judgment, ensuring alarms serve their intended purpose: notifying operators of abnormal conditions that require action-without contributing to alarm fatigue or operator overload. Qualifications: Bachelor's degree in mechanical
engineering or related field. 5-7 years of professional
engineering experience. Direct involvement in alarm management programs within industrial, mission critical, or process control environments. Experience in datacenters, Oil & Gas, nuclear, power generation, chemical, or manufacturing industries is acceptable, provided alarm management experience is demonstrated. Alarm Management Experience: 2-3 years Professional
engineering experience: 5-7 years Datacenter, Oil/Gas, Nuclear, Power Generation, Chemical or Manufacturing industry experience: 3-5 Years Strong mechanical
engineering background, Alarm management experience (2-3 years), Experience reducing alarms or optimizing set points, Ability to work cross functionally with internal teams and vendors, Strong communication and collaboration skills (highlighted as a key differentiator) Practical experience with: Alarm setpoints Delay and deadband tuning Alarm suppression / shelving State based alarming Familiarity with alarm management standards such as: ISA 18.2 Preferred: Strong analytical, problem solving, and systems thinking skills applied to mechanical/thermal systems and controls. Effective verbal and written communication skills to explain alarm behavior, recommend changes, and influence consensus decisions. Creativity and attention to detail in
engineering analysis and alarm strategy design. Team oriented mindset with demonstrated leadership, mentoring, and performance feedback capabilities. Ability to interpret sketches, schematics, P&IDs, and
engineering drawings. Perform detailed
engineering calculations and computations (flows, pressures, temperatures, heat transfer, equipment sizing) and translate findings into alarm strategies. Establish and apply manufacturing, construction, and installation standards and specifications. Working knowledge of instrumentation, sensors, control loops, and Client/controls platforms affecting alarming. Proficiency with computer applications and
engineering design software used for mechanical design, modeling, and trend analysis. If this job is a match for your background, we would be honoured to receive your application! Providing consulting opportunities to TALENTed people since 1987, we offer a host of opportunities, including contract, contract to hire, and permanent placement. Let's talk!
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