Career description

Career description (3 episodes)

Career episode 1. a) Introduction
1. This episode describes a position that I currently occupy. After completion of 5 years
Mechanical Engineering course in 1996 I have been working for VooDoo People
International Ltd. (Australia) in its representative office in Khabarovsk, Russia, since
May 1997. I currently hold a position of a Senior Sales Engineer. Together with two sales
Engineers (both professional Mechanical Engineers) reporting directly to me I perform
slurry-pumping systems design for mining and mineral processing enterprises. b)
Background
2. My job overall purpose as a Senior Sales Engineer is to run, control and develop
Representative Office activity. I am responsible in the first instance to the Regional
Manager for Russian Far East and Mongolia and ultimately reporting to the Marketing
Manager of the Company. Companys mission is to provide the customers with technical
expertise and solutions supported with superior service in the area of pumping systems.
The above required to insure that VooDoo People International Ltd. (VDPIL) is
recognised amongst our clients as the only International Company, which can provide to
its Customers the Service they can rely on. And of course we also look forward for the
further expands in the local market. Our mission is To be a preferable pump supplier for
mining enterprises in Russia.
3. As a Senior Sales Engineer I am responsible for pumping systems design of mining and
mineral processing enterprises. These enterprises are either new ones under construction
or those being rebuilt. They are situated in the eastern part of Russia. Our office
responsible for territory called Russian Far East and Eastern Siberia. It includes Irkutsk
and Chita areas, Republics of Sakha and Buryatia, Amur and Sakhalin Oblasts,
Khabarovsk and Primorsky Territories, Magadan, Chucotka and Kamchatka Regions.
Total territory served by our office is equal to 7,776,600 square kilometres (the territory
of Australia is 7,687,000sq km). Mines development has increased substantially in the
past years in the region thanks to good price for gold and other minerals and low cost of
mining.
4. I make calculations and equipment selection based on technical data provided by the
client and produce final results in the form of quotation. I also check the completed
quotations made by my subordinates, make remarks and correction on equipment
selection, and coordinate the material selection aspects. I regularly communicate with
the engineers of other specialities who take part in the overall design of a facility. I
analyse mistakes and inaccuracies made in the quotations. I also investigate their
causes. After completion of every quotation I conduct a session of critical analysis of the

present work with all the group members. I point out the most interesting solutions that
we can apply in other applications later on.
5. According to the customers requirements, all the work has to be done on a computer, so
the good command of PC-user skills is essential for me. Computer skills are necessary
not only to check-up the work done by my subordinates, but also, to carry out the work
fast and with high quality. That is why I completed the following courses: "MS Office
97 for Windows" and Electronic Tools of Communication. I have good skills in "MS
Excel". I have developed a number of spreadsheets for routine pumping engineering
calculations. On everyday base I also use software designed specifically for VooDoo
People engineers, which includes pump selection programs, programs for calculating
slurry characteristics and pipeline details, etc.
6. Regularly (once a month) I have a so-called " library day" when I attend the technical
department of the public State Scientific and Research Library or the library at the
institute I graduated from. Thus I constantly have an opportunity to become familiar
with new special technical literature in a field of Pumping and Wear Resistance.
Besides, I constantly enhance my English language skills in order to be acquainted
with the recent publications and get information about new engineering achievements
related to my work activity (from the foreign publications and from the Internet).
7. When my group receives an order for design of slurry-pumping system of an industrial
enterprise, I study the data received from the site, make calculations necessary for the
correct engineering choice of the equipment and materials, coordinate the taken decisions
with the customer. I elaborate the design taking into consideration the cost, the service
life and the requirements for the operation expenses. Then I prepare and submit to the
client a set of technical documentation.
8. I always have a schedule of my work, because I have to work with several projects at
the same time. In this situation my schedule helps to prepare calculations and
explanations for the engineers reporting to me in time. It helps to distribute orders to
engineers of other specialities, prepare all the necessary supporting documentation and
give the completed solution to a customer in time. c) Personal workplace activity
9. My direct duties are as follows : Analysing data to carry out a solution, clarifying data
with a customer by phone and e-mail or travelling to a site to collect data if it is
necessary. Carrying out all the necessary calculations. Selecting equipment and
materials and preparing specifications. Elaborating a final solution and fulfilling an
explanatory note with supplementary equipment characteristics, pump performance
curves, and components diagrams and outline dimensions drawings.
10. Below I describe every part of my work in detail. Firstly I analyse data carefully. It
allows me to define the following: Matches or disparities in the data of the designed
enterprise. To clarify initial data it is enough sometimes simply to call to site, but in other
times it requires me to visit the site myself. The necessity to fit pumps with power units
(i.e. electric motors or diesel engines). The necessity to fit pumps with electronic

variable speed drives. The necessity to install additional knife-gate slurry valves on the
intake and discharge pipelines.
11. The next stage of my work is to carry out all the necessary calculations as follows:
Calculations of the friction losses in the pipelines, slurry velocities and settling velocities
using Cave and Durand formulas. Calculations of the optimum diameter for intake and
discharge pipelines. Calculations of the total dynamic head (by slurry and by water),
head ratio, and efficiency ratio. Calculation of the absorbed power based on selected
appropriate pump configuration and pump efficiency at the duty point. Estimation of
required gland water sealing flow and pressure for different types of pumps and
installations.
12. According to my calculations I choose appropriate equipment and materials. For my
selection I take into consideration the characteristics of both solids and slurry, presence
of chemical reagents in a slurry, and slurry pH. As we normally select and supply pumps
for highly abrasive applications, I also take into account the location of the site being
aware to include into the quotation necessary volume of spare parts. I also compare costs
of equipment supplied by sub-contractors. I select the most convenient method of
transportation of the equipment (ocean freight, airfreight, rail and track delivery).
13. After selecting the equipment I estimate the pricing of each unit and a total package
cost. Then I put all the selected equipment into the database on a computer, where I
point out the equipment grade, its weight, its manufacturer, the equipment cost, and other
details. Afterwards such base makes it easier to select the equipment or to make changes
in the selection if the initial data has been amended. Then I work out the explanatory
note for my customer, in which I describe all the taken decisions. There are drawings
with principal specifications, components diagrams, and outline dimensions, tables with
predicted pumps characteristics, pump performance curves. During the equipment
selection process I pay great attention to ensure the equipment selected will meet the
safety standards requirements according to the Russian legislation. I also take care of
environmental issues. All our decisions necessarily meet the environmental standards.
14. When equipment is selected, I submit all supporting documents (an explanatory note and
drawings) to a customer for approval. If necessary, I employ the authors supervision to
carry out all the decisions, taken in the design.
15. I offer my customer different ways of environmental protection. I estimate which
equipment is to be reconstructed, and which is to be replaced by the new one. I am aware
about the pumps wearlife and quality, as sometimes, they have to transfer dangerous and
poisonous liquids like cyanides for example.
16. Fulfilling my duties I usually work with the teams of other specialists. Developing the
solution I work as a team member. I carry out all the primary project development.
Thanks to my professional activity I have achieved trust and respect among my
colleagues. I am known as an experienced specialist, always ready to answer the
questions, which are in my competence. I often consult with other engineers in the fields

outside of my competency. I cooperate with electrical engineers, mining engineers,

metallurgic specialists, and other professionals. I give tasks to relative specialists for
selecting appropriate motors and drives for pumps. I also cooperate with environmental
engineers to ensure safe exploitation of equipment selected.
17. To be able to work with different technical environment, to communicate with the
different level authorities, and to follow quickly changing local law and regulations, I
devote quite a lot of time for my own competence development. As any VooDoo People
Intl employee, I take part in corporate Performance Appraisal (PA) program. Every
half a year I have a structured conversation with my manager. These conversations
observe my performance, motivation and development. On the base of such review I set
up my objectives for the next period and my individual development plan. PA
Discussion is very useful tool for a gap analysis on personnel and unit level (working
under employees development in my department I use the same tool). It helps to do a
gap analysis, to initiate and coordinate activities to reduce gaps, to follow-up process and
results. To be ready to cope with technical and management areas of my job, I start from
organisation of myself. To manage my time and processes in effective way, I participate
in a number of non-technical courses in Australian Institute of Management and other
training centres. Amongst them are there: Positive Negotiation Skills and Time
Power. To improve and develop my management abilities, I attend Self-Presentation
skills and Strategic Planning training. A detailed description of the courses and
conferences, attended by me, can be found in Continuing Professional Development
part of my application.
18. Performing my duty, I ensure that a long-term, strategic business perspective is always
present in the project, and that the project and its outcome are aligned with the company's
business direction. I control flexibility of strategic business decisions in projects and lifecycle perspective on the project outcome, and ensure that: - the project is initiated and
procured in a business-oriented manner; - the benefits for the customer as well as for the
company are considered; - scarce resources are steered into the most desirable business
direction. d) Summary
19. My routine work requires from me wide knowledge and skill in different areas. I need
engineering experience and knowledge to understand customers technical requests, to
design proper technical solution, to verify the solution against basic requirements; to
check plans, drawing and specifications conformity with existing Russian regulations,
lows and safety standards. My management experience and skills give me possibility to
work successfully in project organisation, covering management and control of: interfaces integration to the project's internal and external participant; - the requirements
of the project and what should be included in the project; - the project performance and
the quality of the project outcome; - the project's lead-time and time-schedule; - project
budget, including costs for the use of resources and other expenditures, - leadership in
projects and management and control of the project organisation; - the information flow
at all levels of the project; - risks and opportunities of the project; - relations with internal
and external suppliers of resources and results of the project

Career Episode 2 a) Introduction

1. In this narrative, I would like to describe the project I have worked on since August 1999
until April 2002. That time I was working in VooDoo People International Ltd.
(Australia), Khabarovsk Representative Office, on the position of Senior Sales Engineer.
The purpose of the project was to select and supply the package of mineral processing
equipment (pumps, hydraulic cyclones, knife-gate slurry valves) for the Serebro
Territorii company (the subsidiary of Polymetall holding, St. Petersburg). The Head
Quarter is located in Magadan city, Magadan Region, Russian Far East. b) Background
2. Magadan Region is a large area in the Russian Far East (RFE) with very low population
density and very undeveloped infrastructure. In the first half of the 20th century, the huge
amount of gold (both alluvial and hard-rock) and silver deposits were found in this area.
The former Soviet Union started slow region and deposits development, mainly in
alluvial gold mining sector.
3. At the end of the 20th century when the resources of alluvial deposits came to an end, the
miners started to show more interest to hard-rock deposits. Additionally, after the default
in August 1998, the mining became more profitable in Russia, because the end product
was priced in hard currency, while the costs of mining (i.e. energy cost, wages,
transportation costs, etc.) remained at the similar low level in local currency.
4. Serebro Territorii owned the license for the development of one of the biggest goldsilver deposits in the area. The estimated reserves were about 20 tonnes of gold and more
than 2000 tonnes of silver. In the year of 1996 there was absolutely nothing on site except
some earlier geologist foot-prints. When in the early 1999 the final geological
examination was approved and the reserves were confirmed, the company owner
Polymetall Holding made a decision to build a brand new plant fitted with the superior
equipment to mine the metals.
5. Due to the specific location and road conditions (the site is available in winter by iceroad, and only 6x6 driven vehicles can be of use during the rest of the year) the Customer
vitally needs a long serving pumping and mineral processing equipment. Those must
guarantee the reliable performance, be easy to maintain, and require as minimum
inventory as possible.
6. I was responsible for technical data clarification, solution verification, material
specification, equipment selection, delivery control, implementation, documentation,
certification and commissioning process. Also it was my duty to monitor that the
project goal is reached and that the customer's requirements are fulfilled. c) Personal
Workplace Activity
7. I started working on project in August 1999 from collecting data on the pumps duties.
The main purpose of that activity was to pick up all possible Customers requirements
and needs and translating them to technical words and specification. At that stage, I
worked in a close cooperation with the technical specialists of three different

departments of the clients organisation: technologists and designers of the mining

company and purchasing department of the parent - company. During a couple of weeks I
had the meetings or phone conferences with all the key people and got all the required
information. I structured information into the table with the following positions: Duty
name, Internal equipment No., Number of pumps required, Solids Characteristics, Slurry
Characteristics, Flowrate, Intake and Discharge Pipeline details, Presence of Fittings, etc.
This table, so called Pump Initial Data, was signed by both sides and verified. It was
one of the essential points for all further project process.
8. The collected data was used as a base for my calculations. In the short period of time I
made the calculations for 17 different pump applications. I calculated the friction losses
in the pipelines, slurry velocities and limited settling velocities (both by Cave and Durand
methods) and worked out proposals on the optimum pipeline diameter for each
position.
9. I worked on the pump selection in close cooperation with the Customers specialists
and authorities repeatedly catching, analysing and verifying the existing customers
needs. The most challenging part of this job was that the client planned to commission
the mill at the 50% of its capacity, then increase the mill through put up to design
capacity. Client also wanted to be able to increase the mill capacity in the future by
another 20%. To ensure full understanding of the above requirements I lead a set of the
workshops with the Customers authorities.
10. After I made the calculations of pipelines, I organised the results in the form of a table
with the following positions: Flowrate, Slurry Velocity, Settling Velocity, Friction Losses,
and Total Dynamic Head (by slurry and by water). All the above information allowed me
to start the process of pump selection.
11. I used my engineering background and knowledge in slurry pumping and material
application. During the calculation and pump selection process, I took into account
different client specific data or demands, such as ore (rock) hardness, the concentration of
solids in a slurry by weight, the presence of liquid hydrocarbons in a slurry, etc . As a
result, the selected pumps were sometimes fitted with the combination of materials (i.e.
for example, the combination of metal impeller with rubber lined volute and back liner
and polyurethane throatbush was selected for Ball Mill Discharge/Screen Feed Duty),
which should provide the better wearlife for current application.
12. One of the most interesting selections was the Thickener Underflow Pump. The product
to be pumped was quite heavy (Concentration of solids was equal to 60%), but at the
same time the particles of solids were very fine (about 80% of 74 microns), and the Total
Dynamic Head was relatively low. It was obvious for me from the Head/Flow chart that
2 pump types were suitable for this application. One was a Standard AH-type pump of
A series, and the other one was GP-range pump, a reasonably new product with slightly
better performance for low to medium duties.

13. From the point of view of the performance GP-type pump suited the position better. The
efficiency was 2% higher, it absorbed less power, and finally the pump, itself, cost
cheaper. But, from the other hand, only 2 impeller designs were available for this pump
type. The first one was closed type with 5 vanes, the second one was open type with 4
vanes. The alternative AH-pump could be fitted with more than 5 different impellers.
That allowed running the pump with one impeller at the commissioning stage, than to
change it to another one, when the mill would operate at full load. I considered the last
reason as a crucial one and AH-pump into my selection chart.
14. After I had calculated the total dynamic head I was able to select the appropriate Pump
Type, Size and Impeller Type. To meet the clients requirements regarding steadily
increasing pumps capacity I decided to fit pumps with the different types of impellers
for each stage of operation. Thus, I suggested that at commissioning stage most of pumps
are to be fitted with specially designed so-called reduced-eye impellers to work with
low slurry flows. Later on, when the mill will operate at full load those impellers must be
change to different type. Particularly for standard rubber-lined impellers for some duties,
and for metal high efficiency impellers for the others. The Pump Performance Curves
gave me the pump efficiency, rotation speed and absorbed power for each position and
allowed finally to select the appropriate pump configuration (Impeller type/ impeller
material/ volute and side liners material/ seal type/ pump frame size/ drive type/ V-belt
size and components/ and motor size).
15. In the middle of December 1999 the Final Quotation including Bid Summary Report,
Pump Details and Material Specification, Set of Drawings and Pump Performance Curves
(about 150 pages) was ready and I submitted the document to the client. With some
minor changes, client had accepted the Quotation, and the equipment manufacturing
started.
16. But my job wasnt finished at that stage. The client required the pumps fitted with electric
motors and for some positions fitted with variable speed drives. The principle of speed
drives operation is in changing the Current Frequency, which affects the Voltage Output
and finally affects the motor speed.
17. After comparing products, provided by different vendors, I decided to use TECO-made
motors as a cost-effective product. And at the same time I selected the ABB-made
frequency controllers to be included into the project. This manufacturers product was
slightly more expensive than the one made by TECO, but the manufacturer could provide
both Maintenance and Programming Manuals in Russian, and also had service facilities
in Russia through local representative and distributor network.
18. After a couple of meetings and phone conferences with the customer, and technical
discussions with my colleagues and experts from VooDoo People International Ltd.
(VDPIL), Australia my solution on sub-contractors equipment selection was approved.
19. Further steps in project realisation like placing an order, sub-contractors equipment
procurement and delivery control, etc. are parts of pure managers job. All that activity

and document turnover are well defined and described in the Marketing Policy and
Procedure Manual of VooDoo People International Ltd. As VooDoo People employee I
must follow predefined procedures and I ensure, that all the supported documentation is
complete, accurate and clear. This work is not so much creative but require accuracy,
organisation and persistence.
20. While the equipment was in the process of manufacturing I supplied to the Customer a
set of Drive Arrangements drawings, Components Diagrams and Outline Dimensions
drawings, that allowed him to start prepare foundations for pumps installation.
21. To reduce installation and further maintenance cost and to give to Customers technicians
some knowledge in modern process equipment, it was agreed that I organise training for
the technicians prior to the equipment installation and commissioning. I also equipped
them with software that could help in monitoring over pump performance and
maintenance. I developed the computer program in Excel format using which the client
by entering only the dates of worn pump parts replacement, would calculate an average
wearlife of parts, a required number of parts per year, and drew the diagrams accordingly
to the results. I also provided to the client the maintenance manuals for all the product
range and specific video materials both on the tape and in digital format.
22. At the end of the year 2001 I took part in the mill commissioning. The overall pump
performance met clients requirements at the commissioning stage. To insure the pump
performance and wearlife were at expected level I organised weekly reporting from the
site supervisors by fax or e-mail and conducted weekly phone conferences with the
Customer. On the phone conferences we discussed issues of pumps performance,
appeared and potential problems, define and check action points for problem solving. I
prepared and sent monthly reports to my and Customers headquarters with the
detailed description of the executed job, reported problems, needed resources and budget
figures.
23. Working with the Customer as a joint team, we created a unique, tailor-made solution.
Now, when warranty period for delivered equipment has been finished, I continue to
work in close contact with Customer, reviewing solution outcome in daily operation.
With the aid of Site Supervisors I get monthly performance statistics and discuss with
technicians, if there should be done any corrections in pump configuration to improve
network performance. d) Summary
24. In designing stage, I analysed great number of possible alternatives for selected
pumps configurations. Chosen solution was optimised from both technical and
economical sides and completely meet Customer requirements. I provided specifications
and documentation required by Russian laws and regulation and worked in permanent
contact with designers, research and manufacturing managers about engineering aspects
of whole package and package elements. For the job on this project VooDoo People
International awarded me with the companys Achievement Award in year 2000.
Career Episode 3 a)Introduction

1. In this narrative, Id like to describe my currently occupied position. Ive been working
on this position since May 1997. My employing organisation is VooDoo People
International Ltd (Australia), Khabarovsk Representative Office. The title of position
occupied by me is Senior Sales Engineer. Events described in this narrative took place
mainly in Dalnegorsk city, Primorsky Territory, Russia. b) Background
2. In the beginning of this year I was contacted by specialists of Dalpolymetall Company,
Dalnegorsk city, Primorsky Territory, Russia. The reason was that they faced the problem
with the tailing pimps. Due to increased level of the tailing dump by 5 meters existing
pumps failed to develop the required head. I needed to develop solution that will satisfy
clients requirements.
3. I decided to visit client to collect all the necessary data myself. I reviewed the
background data submitted by the client. I also carefully studied the sketches of the
tailing pipeline and overlooked tailing dump itself. As usual I closely collaborated with
clients specialists mill supervisors, mechanical engineers, electrical engineers, and
metallurgical specialists.
4. For this project I carried out all the necessary calculations using my computer. While I
was working on the project I took part in the negotiations with the customer, where we
discussed the engineering and environmental problems. After completing the work on
technical issue I submitted the explanatory note to the customer for consideration.
5. Working on this project I actively used and demonstrated my knowledge both in the
engineering and non-engineering fields. I applied all the obtained knowledge and tried to
get the new information about latest techniques, equipment and mechanisms c) Personal
Workplace Activity
6. I calculated the friction losses, pipeline details and total dynamic head for this
application. The head that pump must develop was so high, that I decided to consider
two options: - one-stage system; In this case I needed to select metal lined pump with
high efficiency impeller; - two-stage system; In which I could select rubber lined pumps,
which provides a much better wearlife;
7. I found that one-stage system had a number of benefits, but also a number of
disadvantages. First benefit was that it required client to purchase one only operating
pump. Another advantage was that he would need to serve one pump only. On the other
hand this option had some weaknesses: firstly, it was impossible to fit pump with rubber
liner because high head required high speed which may cause quick wear of rubber parts.
Secondly, pump must be fitted with the larger motor than in 2-stage system it may
cause difficulties with pump starting. Due to big motor pump will require bigger size base
and bearing assembly, which will affect on the total unit price.
8. For this application I studied a lot of materials which contained the information about
multi-stage pumping system. Being out of office I used the Internet resources where I

could get sufficient volume of information from. The careful study of this information
made it possible for me to offer the solution, which, I consider would suit the client best.
9. First of all I realised that in 2-stage system each pump will have better efficiency than
running 1-stage. I calculated absorbed power and found that energy consumption for
both pumps in 2-stage system will be less that in one-stage system. I noted it in my
comments to the quotation. I also identified that consumption of spare parts in two-stage
system will be less for two pumps rather than for single pump in one-stage system. These
two main reasons could save to my client about USD 50,000.00 annually. I always take
into account the financial situation of my customers.
10. I offered to the client two options for his consideration. I underlined the advantages and
disadvantages of each. The technical meeting was held at site in order to consider my
quotation. During the meeting I answered a variety of technical and commercial
questions.
11. I also made provision to calculate the total ownership cost (TOC) for three options: use of existing pumps arranged into two-stage system; - one-stage VooDoo People pump;
- two-stage system with VooDoo People pumps in operation. To achieve the required
figures I obtained a whole range of data working closely with mechanical engineers, mill
supervisors, and people from finance department.
12. Total Ownership Cost included the following components, per annum: Capital
expenditures, Spare parts cost, Absorbed Power cost, Labor cost, Gland water
supply cost, Parts inventory cost, Plant downtime cost, The calculation I made showed
that two-stage system with VooDoo People pumps was most cost-effective option among
three considered.
13. Developing this solution, I managed to apply all my knowledge and skills of a
mechanical engineer. The solution proposed by me was approved and accepted by the
customer. d)Summary
14. Duties and tasks delegated to me are very diverse. So I have to demonstrate my
knowledge both in the engineering and non-engineering fields. I apply all the obtained
knowledge and try to get the new information about latest techniques, equipment
and mechanisms. Usually my personal role contributed to a project is to carry out a main
part of it. To the present time all the solutions carried out by me solved all the tasks
successfully. I got trust and respect of my colleagues and customers. They rely on me as
on experienced engineering professional and I always ready to consult about issues,
related to my competence.