A RAMS engineer is in charge of using smart techniques and methods to ensure the Reliability, Availability, Maintainability and Safety (RAMS) of systems. These professionals work in various industries and sectors and create solutions to ensure that products are designed according to specific requirements.
What is RAMS?
In engineering, RAMS is a technical methodical approach to tackling engineering projects, end products, complex installations, or systems within a variety of technical industries such as mechanical, chemical, electrical, or software.
This methodology is used either to characterise a product or a system, or to detect errors in the planning phase using a set of parameters. These parameters define the functional requirements that a project must meet. Factors affecting a product or a system are systematically examined for their:
- Reliability
- Availability
- Maintainability and;
- Safety
Individual analyses can be carried out in a modular manner or the entire package can be examined. The earlier in the life cycle a RAMS is performed, the better. While running RAMS in the later operational phase of a system is much easier than in the planning phase, it is much more difficult to make changes to improve the situation.
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What are the responsibilities of a RAMS Engineer?
Now that we know what RAMS is, we can take a look at what a RAMS engineer does. A RAMS engineer is in charge of defining and establishing a RAMS plan, and analysing system requirements in order to confirm compliance to safety and customer needs.
They correctly identify RAMS requirements, carry out prediction analysis, and recommend improvements or updates as needed for various projects and systems.
RAMS engineers also contribute to the assessment of the RAMS performance of a product and apply the Alstom/Engineering rules & processes to RAMS activities.
Responsibilities of a RAMS Engineer:
- Analyse project to come up with clear objectives using the RAMS parameters
- Clearly define requirements and establish RAMS plan
- Ensure correct estimation of RAMS activities
- Perform RAMS analysis on the assigned project, product, or system
- Conduct necessary testing and ensure quality of the test specification and execution
- Ensure validation of the system against defined standards
- Provide necessary RAMS feedback to relevant department in order to help improve the project, product, or system, for improved reliability, safety, function, and maintenance
- Review reliability and maintainability analysis documents
What skills do RAMS Engineers need?
In order to succeed as a RAMS Engineer, you will need to focus on a particular set of skills.
RAMS Engineers possess strong technical knowledge of RAM theory and analysis techniques such as:
- RBD: Reliability Block Diagram
- FMEA: Failure mode and effects analysis
- FTA: Fault Tree Analysis
Other technical skills include knowledge of statistics methods, MTBF Prediction, design assurance principles, complex systems architectures, and functional design. Familiarity with FIDES, ECSS dependability, and safety standards is also important.
Additionally, the ideal candidate will display strong analytical thinking, excellent communication skills and have an affinity for technology. Soft skills such as ability to function in a team environment, manage complex development schedules, lead projects, etc. are also important.
Skills of RAMS Engineers
- Ability to critically analyse and interrogate data
- Confident with specific RAMS tools and methodologies
- Proficient in using software tools for MTBF Prediction
- Strong analytical thinking and technology skills
- Familiar with FIDES, ECSS dependability, and safety standards
- Ability to function well in a team environment
- Excellent written, verbal, and presentation skills
- Ability to lead projects, and manage complex development schedules
- Ability to provide design analysis support and influence to other departments
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How to be a RAMS Engineer: Training and Education
While there is no specific educational pathway to being a RAMS Engineer, the most common prerequisite is a Bachelor’s degree in Engineering. Depending on the individual company requirements, a Master’s degree may be required.
You can choose to obtain courses to increase your knowledge and skills about RAMS. Check out options for these down below:
- Risk Assessment and Method Statement (RAMS) Training Course
- RAMS Engineering and Data Analytics
- MSE 187 – Reliability, Availability, Maintainability and Safety (RAMS)
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Salary of a RAMS Engineer
The starting salary of a RAMS Engineer in the US is around $56,000, with the average salary being about $90,000/year. With increased skills and several years of experience, the higher end of the salary range comes in at $146,000/year.
Salaries can vary depending on location. For instance, in Germany, we see that the salary range for a RAMS Engineer lies between €30,000 and €70,000 with the average salary being €70,000. And in the UK, you’ll see a range of RAMS salaries between £25,000 and £63,000.
It is important to note that location is not the only influencing factor when it comes to salary. Your total salary will also depend on other things such as your skillset, the number of years of experience that you have dealing with RAMS, the company you work for, etc.
How much does a RAMS Engineer make?
| US | $56,000 – $146,000 |
| Germany | €30,000 – €70,000 |
| UK | £25,000 – £63,000 |
How much do freelance RAMS Engineers make?
Freelance RAMS Engineers on freelancermap charge on average:
Rates in this field range between $20 and $72/hour for most freelancers.
The daily rate for RAMS Engineers (8 working hours) would be around:
