Test Bed Engineer (Pump Performance Testing)

About the role

Sulzer Zambia Service Centre in Chingola is hiring three Test Bed Engineers (Grade 4, reporting to the Service Centre Manager). The engineer ensures that pumps assembled, refurbished or serviced by Sulzer Zambia undergo rigorous performance testing and validation against Sulzer Flow Excellence standards, contractual obligations and OEM specifications before delivery. The role supports the KCM contract, contributes to a long-term follow-on agreement and helps the facility act as a regional pump testing hub for the Central African market.

Key responsibilities

• Prepare pumps for testing: rigging, alignment, coupling to drive systems and installing flow meters, pressure transducers, temperature sensors and vibration probes.
• Run pump performance tests following Sulzer Flow procedures, ISO 9906 standards and customer requirements, using test bed control systems and data acquisition software.
• Analyse results, draw performance curves (flow, head, efficiency, power, NPSH) and issue certified test reports and performance certificates.
• Maintain traceable records of tests and certifications in line with Sulzer Flow documentation standards.
• Ensure compliance with HSEQ policies, 5S standards and the Disciplinary Code of Conduct, calibrate and verify instrumentation, and take part in root cause analysis.
• Coordinate with the workshop team on handovers and testing schedules, and communicate with the Service Centre Manager and regional technical teams.
• Maintain the test bed facility, help update SOPs, and work shifts and travel to customer sites when needed.

Required profile

• National Diploma or degree in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering, Grade 12 certificate, and an unendorsed valid driver's licence.
• 3-5 years of hands-on experience in pump testing, rotating equipment commissioning or a related field; experience with multi-stage (HPH/HPL) and slurry pumps is an advantage.
• Experience with instrumentation calibration, data acquisition and test report generation is essential.
• Proficiency in English is essential; French or local languages are beneficial.

Required skills

• Pump performance testing and rotating equipment commissioning, with working knowledge of ISO 9906 or equivalent.
• Reading engineering drawings, P&IDs and pump performance curves.
• Data analysis and troubleshooting of performance deviations.
• Computer literacy (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Familiarity with ERP systems (e.g. SAP) and maintenance management systems is beneficial.

Benefits mentioned include medical aid. Shift work and occasional customer site travel are required.