David Sandison
South Nesting,Shetland
Summary
Professional with extensive experience in industrial plant operations, emphasizing health and safety compliance. Proficient in permit-to-work processes, alarm response, and fault stabilization, ensuring operational efficiency and safety standards. Strong communication skills facilitate effective collaboration with personnel across all levels. Expertise in emergency decision-making and familiarity with chemical handling and steam generation enhance performance in high-pressure environments.
Overview
2027
2027
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work history
Mechanical Maintenance Engineer
Lerwick Power Station
- Completed mechanical apprenticeship with full exposure to diesel engines and rotating machinery.
- Overhauled pumps, compressors, engine components and associated mechanical plant.
- Machined components including liners, pistons and cylinder heads.
- Supported planned maintenance and led small tasks under permit conditions.
- Developed strong fault-finding, safety awareness and practical engineering skills.
- Apprenticeship + Post-Qualified
Plant Operator
Lerwick Power Station
2022.01 - 2026.05
- Operate and monitor large diesel generator units and all auxiliary equipment.
- Carry out routine plant inspections to monitor equipment condition and operational performance.
- Conduct detailed shift handovers to ensure safe and effective continuation of operations.
- Respond quickly to alarms and plant irregularities, carrying out safe first-line fault response.
- Complete boiler water sampling, chemical dosing checks and maintain accurate records.
- Assist Senior Authorised Person with isolations, permits, and safe work preparation.
- Provide basic control room cover when required, maintaining alarms and coordinating field actions.
- Record operational data, maintain shift logs and log plant defects accurately.
- Inspect plant and equipment after maintenance outages.
- Coordinate with maintenance personnel during planned and reactive maintenance.
Factory Maintenance Engineer
Grieg Seafood
2020.01 - 2022.01
- Carried out routine and breakdown maintenance on fish processing equipment and associated machinery.
- Assisted with new plant design, upgrades and installations at thefactory.
- Ensured equipment reliability, safety and supported continuous production.
- Experienced in diagnosing and resolving equipment faults to minimise production downtime.
- Maintained accurate records of repairs and scheduled maintenance activities in line with company procedures.
Education
SVQ Level 3 - Mechanical Maintenance Engineering
SVQ Level 2 - Performing Engineering Operations
National Certificate - Engineering Maintenance
SCQF Level 7 - Engineering Skills
Intermediate 1 - Engineering Skills
Skills
- Strong commitment to health and safety
- Industrial plant operations experience
- Permit-to-work compliance and isolations assistance
- Alarm response and fault stabilisation
- Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, with experience liaising with personnel at all levels
- Proficient in planning, coordinating, and overseeing work to maintain operational efficiency and safety standards
- Experience providing short-term cover within control room environment
- Strong understanding of and adherence to operational procedures and safety standards
- Responsiveness to alarms
- Chemical handling practices
- Steam generation familiarity
- Decision making during emergencies
- Communication in high-pressure situations
- Focus during long shifts
- Systems diagnostics
Certification
- ECITB MJI10 Mechanical Joint Integrity (2019)
- Mirrlees Blackstone K&KV Major Engine Maintenance (2014)
- Emergency First Aid
- Lift Truck Operations (2023)
- Pallet Stacker (2021)
- Telehandler (2021)
SSE Authorizations
- Cat 1B – Entry to substations up to 33kV with exposed conductors
- Cat 5D – LV switching on underground networks
- Cat 5B – Replace cut-outs/secondary wiring fuses (1- or 3-phase)
- Cat 7G – Synchronise generator onto HV electrical system
Timeline
Plant Operator
Lerwick Power Station
2022.01 - 2026.05
Factory Maintenance Engineer
Grieg Seafood
2020.01 - 2022.01
SVQ Level 2 - Performing Engineering Operations
National Certificate - Engineering Maintenance
SCQF Level 7 - Engineering Skills
Mechanical Maintenance Engineer
Lerwick Power Station