Department Manager (Pipelines)

UAE Branches; Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 440,000 - 551,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading engineering firm in Abu Dhabi is seeking an experienced Department Manager for Pipelines. You will oversee pipeline engineering for major projects across the Middle East, ensuring high-quality deliverables and compliance with standards. The role requires strong leadership skills and a minimum of 15 years in pipeline engineering, including experience with large-scale EPC projects. Candidates should be proficient in industry-standard software and possess excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 15 years of experience in pipeline engineering.
• Proven track record in managing large-scale EPC projects.
• Good analytical and problem-solving skills.

Responsibilities

• Oversee Middle East projects including UAE, Iraq, Kuwait, and Oman.
• Guide and mentor a team of engineers and designers.
• Ensure compliance with project specifications and international standards.

Skills

Pipeline engineering

Leadership and team coordination

Cost optimization

Stakeholder management

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering

Chartered engineer (preferred)

Tools

AutoCAD

PDMS

Caesar II

Job description

Overview

Title: Department Manager (Pipelines)

Belong Connect Grow with KBR!

The KBR team of teams delivers futureforward science technology and engineering solutions and missioncritical services that help governments and companies around the world accomplish their most important objectives while also helping achieve their sustainability goals.

KBR Sustainable Technology Solutions provides holistic and valueadded solutions across the entire asset life cycle. These include worldclass licensed process technologies differentiated advisory services deep technical domain expertise energy transition solutions highend design and engineering capabilities and smart solutions to optimize planned and operating assets.

Job Description: Department Manager Pipelines

Company: KBR Abu Dhabi

Project: Operating Centre (various)

Employment Type: Long Term Contract

Responsibilities and Scope

The Department Manager Pipelines will join the engineering leadership team based in Abu Dhabi with oversight for Middle East projects including UAE, Iraq, Kuwait and Oman. The role supports delivery of projects from concepts and FEED through detailed design across onshore and offshore energy and infrastructure projects. The incumbent will grow the department’s capability and headcount to support Middle East-based proposals and projects, and those executed by other operating centres globally, while maintaining high-quality engineering deliverables and service offerings.

The candidate should have excellent organizational and communication skills and be able to guide, manage and mentor a team of multinational engineers and designers. They should be able to multitask, work without supervision, exercise good judgment, and communicate with colleagues within the wider KBR organization.

This role requires extensive experience in detailed design, construction support, and project execution of both onshore and offshore pipeline projects, ensuring designs meet contractual, regulatory, and industry standards. The ideal candidate will provide technical leadership, coordinate with multidisciplinary teams, and drive the successful delivery of pipeline systems from design to construction while optimizing cost efficiency and constructability.

Key Responsibilities

• Senior professional with strong personal drive and credibility with both internal and external stakeholders.
• Provide expert knowledge and guidance of subsea and pipelines for projects.
• A high energy individual with a desire to make a difference and offer suggestions for improvement and recommendations.
• Must be flexible and able to adapt to changing project-related priorities and deliver high quality accurate work within deadlines required.
• Participation in cross fertilization of work between KBR departments and developing a OneKBR approach to execute projects.
• Developing and maintaining customer relationships ensuring customer satisfaction at project level and resolving any issues.
• Train, develop and mentor the next generation of pipeline and subsea engineers; and abide by the KBR Code of Business Conduct and business ethics.
• Be accountable for and oversee the detailed engineering and design of pipeline systems within EPC projects ensuring compliance with project specifications and international standards.
• If deployed directly on project(s) as may be required as part of the larger role:
• Be able to perform and review stress and hydraulic analyses to validate pipeline integrity and operational efficiency.
• Drive value-added engineering initiatives to optimize design, reduce costs and improve constructability without compromising quality or safety.
• Optimize pipeline routing to minimize environmental impact, reduce land acquisition costs and enhance long-term operational efficiency.
• Coordinate with procurement, construction, and commissioning teams to ensure seamless integration of pipeline engineering deliverables.
• Review vendor documents, technical specifications, material selections and equipment requisitions to ensure compatibility with project requirements.
• Provide technical expertise and support during fabrication, installation, testing and precommissioning phases.
• Resolve site-based engineering challenges by working closely with construction and quality teams.
• Conduct technical risk assessments and develop mitigation plans to ensure compliance with safety and regulatory requirements.
• Collaborate with project managers, clients and contractors to ensure alignment on scope, timelines and deliverables.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelors degree in engineering.
• Chartered engineer (preferred).
• Minimum of 15 years of experience in pipeline engineering, specifically within EPC project environments.
• Proven track record in managing pipeline engineering for large-scale EPC projects from design through to construction and commissioning.
• Previous experience in a departmental role is preferred.
• Good analytical and problem-solving skills.

The candidate should be able to demonstrate depth of experience and knowledge in several of the following services areas:

• Onshore pipeline engineering including all major engineering standards.
• Offshore pipeline engineering including all major engineering standards.
• Subsea engineering including all major engineering standards.
• Field development.
• Execution of feasibility and configuration studies.
• Execution of FEED projects.
• Developing proposals; and
• Engaging with clients.

Technical Skills

• Be proficient in pipeline design and analysis software such as AutoCAD, PDMS, Caesar II and other industry-standard tools.
• Strong knowledge of ASME, API, ASCE and other pipeline engineering codes and standards.
• Expertise in material selection, corrosion protection and welding procedures for pipeline systems.
• Experience in feasibility studies and constructability reviews for EPC pipeline projects.
• Proven ability to implement value engineering principles to optimize costs and enhance project efficiency.
• Experience in pipeline route optimization considering environmental, geotechnical and regulatory constraints.

Leadership & Soft Skills

• Strong leadership and team coordination skills to manage engineering activities across multiple disciplines.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills for effective collaboration with clients, contractors and internal teams.
• An analytical and problem-solving mindset to address technical and construction challenges in EPC projects.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities ensuring timely delivery of high-quality engineering work.
• Commitment to safety, quality and efficiency in all aspects of pipeline engineering within EPC projects.

Required Experience: Manager