Reliability Engineer
Bp
Software Engineering
Johannesburg, South Africa
Entity:
Customers & Products
Job Family Group:
Job Description:
At bp, we are looking for a Reliability Engineer to help maintain safe, compliant, and high-performing retail sites across South Africa. This role is ideal for an engineer who combines strong technical judgment with practical experience in field-based operations, contractor management, and asset reliability within the oil and gas environment.
This is a highly field-based role, with regular travel across the Johannesburg / Gauteng region. You will play a key role in supporting the safe operation, maintenance, and continuous improvement of retail fuel assets, working closely with contractors and internal stakeholders to ensure that technical standards are met and maintenance activities are delivered effectively.
The role is based in the Rosebank office in Johannesburg, but approximately 70–75% of your time will be spent travelling to sites within the region. This is an individual contributor role with no direct people management responsibility, although you will be expected to manage and coordinate contractors on site.
Key Responsibilities
As a Reliability Engineer, you will be responsible for the technical reliability, maintenance oversight, and contractor performance within your assigned region. Your responsibilities will include:
Engineering and Technical Support
- Provide expert technical advice to the business and the S&OR Engineering Authority
- Support site reliability, asset integrity, and technical compliance across retail fuel locations
- Provide engineering input on technical issues, operational risks, equipment performance, and maintenance needs
- Support improvements to engineering standards, procedures, and technical practices
Maintenance and Regional Ownership
- Take ownership of an assigned region and oversee maintenance delivery across retail sites
- Support a mix of:
- reactive maintenance
- preventive maintenance
- maintenance-related projects
- Provide technical oversight for activities such as pump replacement, equipment replacement, and related site interventions
- Work closely with contractors to ensure maintenance work is completed safely, effectively, and to the required standard
Management of Change
- Lead and support Management of Change (MoC) activities related to fuel storage and handling equipment, technical standards, and operating procedures
- Define the scope of proposed changes and coordinate implementation with internal stakeholders, suppliers, and contractors
- Assess technical risks, project impacts, quality considerations, and total cost of ownership
- Ensure technical documentation, requirements, and standard drawings are aligned and updated where needed
Asset Integrity and Compliance
- Verify that equipment remains fit for service and operates in line with bp engineering standards and local operational requirements
- Lead and support investigations into equipment failures, technical incidents, and safety-related events
- Review hazardous areas and critical safety devices to support safe and compliant operations
- Support inspection, testing, and maintenance activities for forecourt and shop equipment
Contractor Management
- Manage contractor performance across your region to ensure safe, compliant, and high-quality service delivery
- Coordinate on-site contractor activities and maintain strong working relationships with service providers
- Ensure contractor work aligns with engineering standards, maintenance expectations, and business requirements
Procurement and Technical Specifications
- Develop technical specifications for equipment, materials, and engineering services
- Support procurement-related activities, including purchase-to-pay processes such as raising requisitions and issuing receipts when required
- Provide technical input to help ensure practical, compliant, and cost-effective decisions
Collaboration and Knowledge Sharing
- Work closely with the National Maintenance Manager, regional engineers, plant maintenance support, and internal operational teams
- Collaborate with project managers, maintenance managers, external regulatory bodies, and contractor partners
- Contribute to technical communities of practice and support knowledge sharing across the maintenance network
Team Structure
You will report directly to the National Maintenance Manager and work as part of a small maintenance team that includes:
- 4 regional engineers
- 1 plant maintenance engineer supporting all regions
- 1 administrative assistant supporting documentation and related processes
This role offers a high level of ownership, with responsibility for your own region and strong exposure to field operations and maintenance delivery.
What We Are Looking For
We are looking for a qualified engineer with solid technical experience in the oil and gas sector. Relevant backgrounds may include:
- LPG installations
- LPG terminals
- fuel terminals
- retail fuel environments
The ideal candidate will bring:
- A degree in Mechanical, Chemical, Industrial, or Electrical Engineering
- At least 4–5 years of relevant engineering experience
- Experience in the oil and gas industry
- Experience with underground and above-ground tank installations
- Strong contractor management capability
- Strong communication skills and the ability to work effectively with different stakeholders
- The ability to work independently and manage their own region with limited supervision
- A practical understanding of maintenance delivery, technical risk, and field-based engineering operations
You should also have strong technical judgment, problem-solving ability, and the confidence to operate in a role that combines engineering, field coordination, and contractor oversight.
Why Join bp
This is a role where your expertise will have visible impact. You will not only help maintain technical standards, but also strengthen them through practical engineering support, contractor oversight, and maintenance leadership across your region.
If you are an engineer who enjoys working independently, being close to operations, and applying your expertise in a hands-on oil and gas environment, this role offers an excellent opportunity to make a meaningful contribution.
Travel Requirement
Relocation Assistance:
Remote Type:
Skills:
Legal Disclaimer:
We are an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of protected characteristics like race, religion, color, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, veteran status or disability status. Individuals with an accessibility need may request an adjustment/accommodation related to bp’s recruiting process (e.g., accessing the job application, completing required assessments, participating in telephone screenings or interviews, etc.). If you would like to request an adjustment/accommodation related to the recruitment process, please contact us.
If you are selected for a position and depending upon your role, your employment may be contingent upon adherence to local policy. This may include pre-placement drug screening, medical review of physical fitness for the role, and background checks.