Construction Principal Engineer

Manpower Group Middle East; Dubai; On-site; AED 300,000 - 400,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading engineering firm is seeking a Principal Engineer, Construction, in Dubai. This role provides technical leadership and expert-level engineering support across construction activities. The ideal candidate will have 12-15 years of experience in construction engineering, a strong focus on safety and quality compliance, and excellent skills in communication and stakeholder management. You will coordinate with multidisciplinary teams and ensure successful project execution aligned with industry standards and regulations.

Qualifications

• 12-15+ years of experience in construction engineering within large industrial, infrastructure, or EPC projects.
• Proven experience resolving complex field-engineering issues.
• Strong exposure to construction methodologies and multi-disciplinary coordination.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical leadership and engineering support across construction activities.
• Review construction engineering deliverables and support construction teams.
• Ensure compliance with engineering designs, quality standards, and safety requirements.

Skills

Leadership and mentoring

Communication skills

Analytical skills

Problem-solving skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Civil, Mechanical, Electrical, or relevant Engineering discipline

Advanced degree or professional registration (PE, CEng, PMP)

Tools

Construction management tools

Engineering software

Job description

Job Purpose

The Principal Engineer, Construction is responsible for providing technical leadership, expert‑level engineering support, and advanced oversight across all construction activities. The role ensures that engineering designs are properly interpreted and implemented in the field, construction challenges are resolved efficiently, and project execution aligns with safety, quality, cost, and schedule objectives. This position acts as the senior technical authority for construction engineering issues and supports stakeholder coordination throughout the project lifecycle.

Key Accountabilities

Technical Leadership & Oversight

• Serve as the senior technical advisor for construction‑related engineering issues, ensuring alignment with design intent, codes, standards, and specifications.
• Review and validate construction engineering deliverables, method statements, and technical documentation.
• Provide expert guidance on engineering challenges, constructability, and field modifications.
• Lead constructability reviews during FEED, detailed design, and execution phases.

Construction Execution Support

• Support construction teams with interpretation of engineering drawings, specifications, and technical requirements.
• Evaluate site conditions and recommend engineering solutions, modifications, or material substitutions where required.
• Oversee technical aspects of installation, erection, testing, and field engineering activities.
• Validate field change requests, NCRs, and technical queries, ensuring proper documentation and approvals.

Quality & Compliance

• Ensure construction work complies with approved engineering designs, quality standards, regulatory codes, and safety requirements.
• Support quality inspections, testing procedures, and verification of critical installations.
• Work with QA/QC teams to address non‑conformance issues and ensure corrective actions are implemented promptly.

Coordination & Interface Management

• Coordinate closely with engineering, procurement, construction, commissioning, and contractor teams to resolve interface issues.
• Participate in coordination meetings and provide timely technical input to avoid delays.
• Support integration between engineering deliverables and construction sequencing.

Risk, Safety & Performance Management

• Identify construction risks related to engineering, design, materials, and execution.
• Participate in risk assessments (HAZID, HAZOP, constructability reviews) and implement mitigation plans.
• Promote and enforce strong safety culture and compliance with HSE requirements.

Reporting & Documentation

• Prepare technical reports, field engineering assessments, and progress updates.
• Ensure accurate documentation of technical changes, redline drawings, and as‑built deliverables.
• Provide input for project reviews, audits, and commissioning readiness evaluations.

Skills

Minimum Qualifications & Experience

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Civil, Mechanical, Electrical, or relevant Engineering discipline.
• Advanced degree or professional registration (PE, CEng, PMP) is preferred.

Experience

• 12–15+ years of experience in construction engineering within large industrial, infrastructure, or EPC projects.
• Proven experience resolving complex field‑engineering issues.
• Strong exposure to construction methodologies, standards, and multi‑disciplinary coordination.

Skills & Competencies

Technical Skills

• Expert knowledge of engineering principles, construction techniques, and relevant industry codes.
• Strong understanding of construction sequencing, field engineering workflows, and quality requirements.
• Proficiency in reading and interpreting complex engineering drawings and specifications.
• Familiarity with construction management tools and engineering software.

Behavioral & Leadership Competencies

• Strong leadership and mentoring ability.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• High‑level analytical and problem‑solving capabilities.
• Strong focus on safety, quality, and execution excellence.
• Ability to work in a fast‑paced, multi‑disciplinary, multicultural environment.