Michael Stead

A mechanical engineer working in the ventilation and HVACR industry. I am experienced with the full life cycle of refrigeration and ventilation contracting; from design and optimisation through project management of installations. I am experienced in managing and coordinating installation and service crews as well as production staff. I have experience in tender pricing and design. I am easy to get on with and great at teamwork. I enjoy making business connections and I strive for good customer and supplier relations.  

I live life wild at heart and seek adventure in the day-to-day. I am a qualified Dive Master with marine conservation experience. 

Position: Project engineer and manager  March 2021 – Present

Employer: Marine and Refrigeration Engineering

Projects: Design, supply and installation of ammonia and freon refrigeration equipment for various cold stores, food production facilities and petrochemical applications. Reefer cold stores - 3 Chiller rooms, Medium to low temp dual room conversion, Strip and rebuild burnt out production facility, New 1600kW distribution warehouse, Additional 1600 kW fruit chiller rooms, Additional 1600kW chiller room conversion to comply with export fruit requirements, Butane tank cooling system at port bulk terminal. Various smaller upgrades and 

Role:  Contract engineering to evaluate, design and price tenders. Contract management with a heavier reliance on multiple subcontractors to fulfill various tasks. Responsible for allocating technicians to daily operations and call outs. Preparing and evaluating company design documentation including pipe design packages and data books.  

Responsibilities include:

• Developing heat loads, compressor, vessel, condenser and evaporator specifications. 
• Developing tender BOM, pricing and schedules, 
• Creating a standardised pipe design package, quality assurance controls and complete data books,
• Creating purchase orders for project equipment, 
• Logistical and resource management for projects and jobs,
• Developing engineering solutions to maintain project momentum and completion, 
• Regular site visits to ensure quality and deliverables are being met, 
• Maintaining customer and supplier relations, 
• Day to day operations and staff management. 
• Maintain a 24/7 contact presence for technical assistance to technicians. 

Position: Contract Manager and Engineer November 2018 – December 2019

Employer: ACTOM HVAC Systems

Projects: Installation of chilled water and split unit system at Verigreen Admin Building, Various tenders for industrial and commercial projects with clients including Anglo Platinum, Sasol and Illovo Sugar. 

Role:  Contract, including sub-contractor, management. Contract engineering to evaluate, design and price tenders. Oversight of design draftsman and manufacturing quality. 

Responsibilities include:

• Determining and maintaining the scope of projects, according to the clients needs
• Developing tender BOM, pricing and schedules.
• Tender vetting and contract management.
• Management of procurement and manufacturing
• Site management of sub-contractors and performance evaluation. 

Position: Development Engineer July 2017 – November 2018

Employer: TLT ACTOM

Projects: Flameproof certification of auxiliary fan range, South Deep Gold Mine Fan Upgrades, Impala Mine BAC Fan Sound Attenuation. 

Role:  Development Engineer for TLT ACTOM project division and contracted by TLT MECHCAL. Management of development projects and consulting with external certification companies to develop supply chain required for IEC standards. Project manager for smaller upgrade projects and warranty claims.

Responsibilities include:

• Determining and maintaining the scope of projects, according to the clients (internal) needs
• Developing project schedule and cost estimates
• Designing and producing manufacturing drawings of components on CAD software
• Management of procurement and manufacturing
• Researching and testing new materials

Training: PADI Dive Master and Marine Conservation April 2017 – June 2017

Company: Wildlife and Ecological Investments

Course: Extended leave taken to attend Dive Master and marine conservation program. Training completed while working at the WEI marine ecology research centre in Sodwana Bay. Training and responsibilities included:

• PADI Dive Master training
• Marine ecology and conservation training
• Collecting data and photography of marine life during dives
• Processing collected data and uploading onto global online citizen databases
• Supervise new trainees and researchers during dives

Position: Project Manager April 2016 – March 2017

Employer: TLT ACTOM

Projects: Bathopele mine fan upgrades, PPC Dwaalboom baghouse fan and kiln fan upgrades, Idwala mine baghouse fan upgrade.

Role:   Project manager for TLT ACTOM projects division. Management of fan installation and upgrade projects across southern Africa.

Responsibilities included:

• Development of project schedule and cost structures 
• Management of ACTOM design team and sub-contractors against project schedule
• Management of procurement including tender compilation and adjudication
• Compile project quality documentation
• Compile installation and commissioning procedures and O&M manuals
• Commissioning of completed fan installations
• Invoicing client according to agreed cost structures
• Progress reporting to Client

Position: Mechanical Engineering Intern January 2015 – March 2016

Employer: TLT ACTOM

Projects: Improving the Aerodynamic Performance of Axial Fan Range, High Temperature Certification Testing for HVAC Division.

Role: Junior engineer for TLT ACTOM. Responsible for improving the aerodynamic performance of axial fan product range.

Responsibilities included:

• Development of experimental methodology to determine fan performance
• Design and construction of testing column to ISO standards.
• Design and modelling of improved product range
• Performance testing
• Technical report writing

Bsc Mechanical Engineering.