Blair McNeill has over 15 years of experience working as a mechanical engineer in manufacturing, mining and similar projects in Australia and Canada.

Blair is an expert in failure analysis and forensic engineering investigations.
He provides engineering and quality inspections, quality assurance reviews, technical and auditing, third party/witness inspections and expert witness reporting and reporting as Head Engineering Consultant at Kroft Electrical & Engineering Pty Ltd. His expertise also includes plant & equipment valuation, root cause fracture and failure analysis, product verification, and supplier management, expediting and inspection.

He holds a Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering majoring in Manufacturing and Engineering Management and an Advanced Diploma of Engineering Technology both from RMIT University.

Areas of expertise include:
Failure analysis
Forensic Engineering Investigations
Damage assessment
Product conformity
Welding and joining
Materials engineering
Accident investigation
Root Cause Analysis
Forensic Reporting
Due Diligence Reports
Mechanical failures & nonconformances
Durability
Steel manufacturing and fabrication
Mechanical testing and Inspections
Construction
Mechanical Design
Expert Witness and Reporting
Risk based inspections
Industrial Engineering
Manufacturing Plants and Equipment
Steel Fabrication & Vessels
Motors & Pumps
Actuators & Filters
Generators
Hydraulic & Pneumatic Equipment
Conveyor Belts
Sorting and Packing Machines
Actuated and Manual Valves

He started his engineering career at AMCOR Australasia (Preston Flexible) in 2006. As process engineer, he handled commissioning new works, new plant analysis for capex, cost reductions for manufacturing environment, and process data analysis and, site power play plant champion.

In 2007, he was assigned to AMCOR's Paper Mill in Fairfield that included a power plant 4200kpa, 100MW and waste water plant (treating 350 Kl/hr).
As process engineer, he oversaw operations management of power plant staff, major fixed plant shutdown planning, permit to work approvals, and more.

After two years, he worked as mechanical engineer at Transfield Services from 2009 to 2010. In that role, he carried out work inspections, and supplier work audits, managed plant maintenance employees, and established scope definition, and documented changes and documenting, to name a few.

He then moved to JVA Engineering as Lead Engineer and QA Manager, providing manufacturing engineering services to petroleum and allied industries. For the next two years, he handled product mechanical testing, verification and sign off to Australian Standards, carried out onsite inspections for clients, and audits on critical suppliers, and oversaw critical works/shutdowns and managed labor force.

From 2012 to 2013, he served as QA/QC Project Engineer at Sherrit International Metals based in Alberta, Canada. He worked as a primarily Senior Engineering Project Manager for capital projects at the mining, nickel and cobalt refinery plant. His duties included: developing project scopes for clients and sub-contractors and handling the engineering design, inspection, verification and sign off, contractor management, selection and auditing.

At present, Blair is Engineering Manager and Head Engineering Consultant at Kroft Electrical & Engineering where he manages all engineering services and team members of the Victoria-based company.

Blair is a member of the Forensic Engineering Society of Australia (FESA) and a Professional Development Partner for Engineers Australia (PDP).

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