Lydon Harriparsad
Durban
Summary
Results-driven Industrial Engineering and Instrumentation Technician with over 15 years of experience across refineries, chemical plants, and industrial automation environments. Expert in instrumentation, process control, PLC and safety system commissioning, calibration, troubleshooting, and plant start-ups. Skilled in multidisciplinary maintenance, process optimization, and technical project management across mechanical, electrical, and instrumentation systems. Proven ability to lead teams, conduct technical training, and ensure operational excellence in high-pressure, safety-critical environments. Proficient at interpreting technical drawings, SCADA/HMI trends, and control system data to support sound decision-making. Committed to leveraging deep technical knowledge and professional certifications to drive efficiency, safety, and productivity in industrial operations or technical sales roles.
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
Work History
Independent Consultant
Minassole - Sonimech Angola
01.2024 - Current
- Conducted remote competency assessments for industrial instrumentation technicians based in Angola.
- Identified training gaps and provided structured feedback for skills development and compliance.
- Design test rig with full automation and process control as per customer instrumentation on site.
- Developed competency-based training material aligned with industry standards and plant requirements.
Independent Consultant
Durban South Training Trust
01.2024 - 01.2025
- Lecturing Instrumentation to various industries, AECI Chemicals, NPC.
- Repairs on various industrial machinery: automatic roller with hydraulic system and safety limits, 6mm industrial metal Guillotine bearing replacement, rewiring of industrial band saw and motor bearing replacement and various more equipment in the training centre.
- Installation of automatic turnstile Hikvision controller.
- Installation of 3 phase Distribution board and termination to boilermaker and welding equipment.
Instrument Specialist - KHT Start-Up Project
Engen Oil Refinery (Prime Serve Contract)
01.2023 - 01.2024
- Supported commissioning and start-up of KHT solvent production plant.
- Performed loop checks, functional testing, and commissioning of field instrumentation.
- Verified boiler ignition systems, flame scanners, safety interlocks, and permissives.
- Calibrated and commissioned control valves (Fisher DVCs), pressure, flow, and level transmitters.
- Installed and commissioned Yokogawa, Honeywell, and Rosemount instrumentation.
- Executed fault-finding, cross-patching, and pre-startup safety checks (PSSR).
- Closed yellow packs and ensured readiness for maintenance completion and start-up.
Instrument Technician
LANXESS
01.2022 - 01.2023
- Maintained, calibrated, and inspected plant instrumentation and control systems.
- Executed preventative maintenance, fault-finding, and root cause analysis.
- Replaced obsolete instruments and ensured reliable plant operation.
- Participated in shutdowns, projects, and HSE-compliant maintenance activities.
Field Service Engineer / Field Sales Engineer
Alfa Laval
01.2019 - 01.2022
- Commissioned and upgraded B&R PLC and B&R PLUS safety systems.
- Configured safety interlocks and fail-safe shutdown logic.
- Troubleshot ABB 800 series VFD/VSD drives and Ethernet Powerlink networks.
- Serviced decanters and high-speed separators (minor and major services).
- Diagnosed PLC, I/O, and field device failures.
- Integrated Moxa interfaces and Dell gateways for industrial IoT connectivity.
- Provided technical support, commissioning, and customer-facing engineering services.
- Key customer SASOL Secunda and Sasolburg AAA & Cyanide plant.
- Service GPHE's for Safripol and Natref.
Instrument Technician
Sime Darby Oils (Unilever)
01.2018 - 01.2019
- Calibrated pressure, level, pH, and load cell instrumentation.
- Repaired electronic controllers, reducing plant downtime and replacement costs.
- Verified 4-20 mA signal integrity using simulators and certified test equipment.
- Installation of new steam valve in line, configuration to festo solenoids to Allen Bradley PLC and update the P&ID.
Instrument Mechanician
Engen Oil Refinery
01.2008 - 01.2018
- Led instrumentation maintenance, troubleshooting, and project supervision.
- Managed ignition systems, fire and gas detection, and plant instrumentation certification.
- Supervised contractors during shutdowns and plant upgrades.
- Managed CAPEX instrumentation procurement.
- Designed a control valve leak test device meeting OEM specifications (award received).
Enraf Technician
Engen Oil Refinery Inventory Control Systems
01.2007 - 01.2008
- Periodically maintained and overhauled Enraf tank gauging, radar level systems, and conducted electrical repairs and level calibration activities using the Portable Enraf Terminal(PET).
Education
BSc - Life Sciences
UNISA
01.2026
National Diploma - Engineering (Electronic)
FET, Durban Campus
12.2016
Trade Test - Instrument Mechanician (Process Control)
SASA - CHIETA
12.2012
NQF 4 - Chemical Instrumentation
TEKmation - CHIETA
12.2010
Senior Certificate - undefined
Marburg Secondary School
12.2006
Skills
- Analytical skills
- Problem-solving skills
- Troubleshooting
- Mechanical systems
- Electrical systems
- Instrumentation systems
- Plant uptime
- Production continuity
- Safety standards compliance
- Communication skills
- Technical report writing
- Interpreting engineering drawings
- Interpreting P&ID drawings
- Data extraction
- Technical decision-making
- Hands-on experience
- Instrumentation and control systems
- Installation
- Calibration
- Commissioning
- Maintenance
- Fault finding
- Operational safety
- Risk assessment
- Regulated industrial environments
- Microsoft Office
- SAP
- ISCALA
- Uniformance
- Process Trend
- Lotus
- ValveLink
- B&R PLC
- DELTA ISP
- WPL
- LADSIM
- ABB VFD
- HART
- Ethernet Powerlink
- Loop Checks
- Interlocks
- PSSR
- Arduino
- TinkerCAD
- 3D Printing
- PET
- TREX Emerson
- 475 Emerson
Computer Competencies
- Microsoft Office (Advanced)
- SAP
- ISCALA
- Uniformance (PHD)
- Process Trend
- Lotus (SMS)
- ValveLink
- B&R PLC / Safety
- DELTA ISP/WPL
- LADSIM
- ABB VFD (800 Series)
- HART
- Ethernet Powerlink
- Loop Checks
- Interlocks
- PSSR
- Arduino
- TinkerCAD (3D Printing)
- PET
- TREX Emerson
- 475 Emerson
Professional Courses
- NOSA First Aid
- HIRA
- Working at Heights
- RCAT-IRCA
- Honeywell GUS
- Time Management
- Emotional Maturity & Performance
- Communication & Assertiveness (DDI)
- Delegating with Purpose (DDI)
- Panametrics Flare Gas Flow Meter
- Management of Change (MOC) - Engineering Procedures
- HAZLOC
- Fisher DVC
- Technical & Business Report Writing (CESA)
- Microsoft Added Advantage Academy
- Vega Level Measurement
- PC&I Measuring Principles (Yokogawa)
Personal Information
- Title: Industrial Technician
- Gender: Male
- Driving License: C1 - Code 10
- Marital Status: Single
Timeline
Independent Consultant
Minassole - Sonimech Angola
01.2024 - Current
Independent Consultant
Durban South Training Trust
01.2024 - 01.2025
Instrument Specialist - KHT Start-Up Project
Engen Oil Refinery (Prime Serve Contract)
01.2023 - 01.2024
Instrument Technician
LANXESS
01.2022 - 01.2023
Field Service Engineer / Field Sales Engineer
Alfa Laval
01.2019 - 01.2022
Instrument Technician
Sime Darby Oils (Unilever)
01.2018 - 01.2019
Instrument Mechanician
Engen Oil Refinery
01.2008 - 01.2018
Enraf Technician
Engen Oil Refinery Inventory Control Systems
01.2007 - 01.2008
BSc - Life Sciences
UNISA
National Diploma - Engineering (Electronic)
FET, Durban Campus
Trade Test - Instrument Mechanician (Process Control)
SASA - CHIETA
NQF 4 - Chemical Instrumentation
TEKmation - CHIETA
Senior Certificate - undefined
Marburg Secondary School