Head of Department - Mechanical

Wood; Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 350,000 - 500,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive remuneration package

Medical insurance

Employee Share Plan

Long Service Award

Job summary

Wood is seeking an experienced Head of Department to lead its Engineering Department in Abu Dhabi. This role involves driving engineering excellence across various teams, managing both onshore and offshore projects, and ensuring the successful execution of high-profile projects.

The ideal candidate will possess a strong background in leading engineering teams, a deep understanding of industry standards, and the ability to foster a culture of continuous improvement.

Competitive remuneration, medical insurance, and opportunities for professional development are part of the offer.

Qualifications

• Minimum 25 years of experience on onshore and offshore mega projects (cap-ex over 2 billion USD).
• Minimum 5 years of experience in a Head of Discipline role.
• Expert-level understanding of discipline engineering tools and technologies.

Responsibilities

• Drive engineering excellence across disciplines for projects.
• Lead and manage engineering teams effectively.
• Ensure compliance with safety and governance practices.

Skills

Strategic thinking and problem-solving

Leadership and communication skills

Stakeholder management

Coaching and mentoring

Education

Bachelor’s degree in a relevant engineering discipline

Job description

The Role

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced Head of Department with a proven track record in leading and managing the discipline engineering department, ensuring the successful execution of projects and alignment with company goals for a high‑profile client.

Key Objectives

• Accountable for driving engineering excellence within the Mechanical, Rotating, Static and Packaged Equipment teams for both onshore and offshore projects across the region.
• Ensure consistent, safe, and high‑quality delivery of engineering services and effective governance of discipline practices.
• Lead discipline engineers of both onshore and offshore projects and maintain oversight of all discipline engineering activities.
• Serve as a subject‑matter expert supporting continuous improvement and technical excellence across the wider organisation.
• Role‑model the company’s values and behaviours, demonstrating the highest standards of safety, ethics, and inclusivity.

What we can offer

• Competitive remuneration package with regular reviews.
• Medical insurance covering inpatient and outpatient care.
• Group life and personal accident insurance.
• Company provision of life assurance and end‑of‑service gratuity in line with UAE Labour Law.
• Employee Share Plan offering matching shares.
• Long Service Award recognising commitment at 5‑year milestones.
• Commitment to continued professional development with tailored plans.
• Global connections through experts worldwide and the Energy Transition Academy.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant engineering discipline.
• Minimum 25 years of experience on onshore and offshore mega projects (cap‑ex over 2billionUSD).
• Minimum 5 years of experience in a Head of Discipline role.
• Experience in ASSESS, Pre‑FEED, FEED and Detailed Design stages.
• Extensive experience delivering Mechanical Discipline projects.
• Deep knowledge of ASME, API, TEMA, ISO, and ICSC codes and Middle East client specifications.
• Experience working with ADNOC, Qatar Energy, KNPC, KOC, BGC, BP and Shell.
• Good knowledge of design and procurement of large mechanical equipment (compressors, turbines, vessels, heat exchangers, tanks).
• Expert‑level understanding of discipline engineering tools, processes, and technologies.
• Strong understanding of client business drivers.
• Proven ability to develop and lead high‑performing engineering teams.

Core Competencies

• Strategic thinking and problem‑solving capability.
• Strong leadership, communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to work effectively in multicultural and cross‑functional environments.
• Competency in people interviewing, selection, communication and performance management.
• Proactive, positive and professional interaction with team members.
• Coaching and mentoring with a focus on talent development.

Engineering Delivery & Performance

• Drive HSSEA culture and performance across the discipline team.
• Ensure engineering integrity and compliance throughout all work scopes.
• Maintain a strong focus on process safety and eliminate technical incidents through robust controls and lessons learned.
• Support technical assurance activities, including audits and incident investigations.
• Provide appropriate discipline resources to projects and deliver work in line with company procedures and customer requirements.
• Manage and optimise discipline resource utilisation against workload demand and overhead budgets.
• Support workforce planning activities, including short‑term and annual resource forecasting.
• Collaborate with other discipline managers to develop discipline inputs into engineering execution plans.
• Establish, maintain and continuously improve discipline engineering systems, tools and processes for cost‑effective execution.
• Identify and promote innovation opportunities and emerging technologies within the discipline.
• Identify opportunities for margin improvement and efficiency enhancement.

Strategy, Development & Business Support

• Support business development activities to identify and secure new work.
• Review proposal man‑hours for the discipline and optimise.
• Provide discipline input to proposals in collaboration with other discipline leads.
• Support and strengthen work‑share strategies across engineering centres.

People & Capability Management

• Set the vision and strategic direction for the Discipline Engineering Group under guidance from the Engineering Director.
• Provide line management to direct reports, including performance management, objective setting, career development and remuneration input.
• Ensure recruitment, development and succession planning to meet current and future business needs.
• Implement and maintain discipline competence assurance frameworks.
• Identify skill and capability gaps and organise appropriate training or development plans.
• Build an inclusive, diverse and high‑performing team culture.

Governance, Policies & Procedures

• Develop, maintain and improve discipline processes, procedures, manuals and intellectual property in line with company policies and regulatory requirements.
• Provide guidance on applicable codes, standards, legislation and regulatory compliance.
• Maintain discipline software tools in alignment with corporate policies.
• Support project delivery assurance through reviews and governance activities.
• Implement continuous improvement through structured change management.

Authority & Influence

• Decisions significantly impact technical quality, financial performance and project outcomes.
• Authority over recruitment, development and performance management of discipline resources.
• May hold responsibility for discipline overhead budgets, including training and professional development.

Working Relationships

• Internal Engineering Managers (local and regional).
• Other Discipline Managers.
• Project Managers and Contract Managers.
• Engineering Centres and Work‑share Teams.
• Technical Networks and Communities of Practice.
• External Customers and Clients.
• Engineering Software Vendors.

We are committed to equal opportunities and welcome all talented individuals to consider joining our team. Even if you don’t meet every statement below but feel you have some of the experience, knowledge or skills needed for this role, we encourage you to apply.