Lead Civil Engineer

EHIF; Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 400,000 - 500,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading engineering company in Abu Dhabi is seeking an experienced Lead Civil Structural Engineer. The ideal candidate will have a Master's degree and over 20 years of relevant experience, including at least 5 years in a leadership position. Responsibilities include overseeing civil engineering projects, ensuring compliance with safety standards, and mentoring a team. Competitive remuneration and opportunities for professional development are offered.

Benefits

Competitive remuneration package

Medical Insurance

Group Life Insurance

End of Service Gratuity

Employee Share Plan

Professional Development

Qualifications

• At least 20 years of experience in oil & gas projects design.
• Minimum of 5 years in a Lead Engineer position.
• Experience managing a team of 50+ engineers.

Responsibilities

• Ensure designs comply with safety and regulatory standards.
• Oversee planning and execution of civil engineering projects.
• Guide and mentor the engineering team.

Skills

Designing and analysing structural systems

Supervising construction projects

Team leadership

Communication skills

Problem-solving capacity

Education

Master’s Degree in Structural Engineering

Tools

STAAD Pro Connect Edition

Mat 3D

Navis Works

Job description

Remarkable people, trusted by clients to design and advance the world.

The Role

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced Lead Civil Structural Engineer with a proven track record in designing, analysing, and supervising structural systems, ensuring they meet safety, functionality, and regulatory standards for construction projects for a high‑profile client.

Our Clients and Projects

Wood’s Oil, Gas & New Energies business delivers large and complex projects for national and international energy companies across the globe.

We challenge the status‑quo in upstream and midstream oil and gas, onshore and offshore, gas to liquids and decarbonisation markets, and provide integrated solutions with a focus on energy security and sustainability.

What we can offer

• Meaningful and interesting projects: Delivered to high profile clients across the Energy Sector
• Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion: We actively promote diversity across our business
• Competitive remuneration package: Regular reviews to reward at the right level in line with the market
• Medical Insurance: Inpatient and outpatient medical care coverage
• Group Life and Personal Accident Insurance: Life Assurance cover provided
• End of Service Gratuity: In line with UAE Labour Law
• Employee Share Plan: Opportunity to purchase Wood shares with company match
• Long Service Award: Recognising commitment and loyalty at five‑year milestones
• Professional Development: Tailored development plans and continuous learning opportunities
• Global Connections: Collaboration with experts worldwide in shaping industry standards
• Energy Transition Academy: Community of experts sharing knowledge across emerging energy systems

The key objectives for this role are:

• Ensure all designs and structures are safe, durable, and meet engineering standards.
• Oversee planning, execution, and timely delivery of civil and structural engineering projects.
• Ensure all designs and constructions comply with local laws, codes, and environmental regulations.
• Guide and mentor a team of engineers, fostering collaboration and developmentli>
• Develop efficient structural solutions while staying within budget constraints.
• Apply modern techniques and tools to improve design efficiency and sustainability.

Key Accountabilities and Responsibilities

• Develop civil & structural design from conceptual to detailed stages, providing sustainable and efficient solutions.
• Involve in design and development for greenfield and brownfield large oil and gas projects.
• Establish design basis, specifications, work scope, tender documents, and narratives.
• Review plant layouts, roads, drainage systems, and other layouts.
• Check calculations, general arrangement, detail drawings, 3D models, and MTO.
• Guide and review design of concrete and steel structures and develop engineering calculations for:
  • Pipe racks/bridges and sleepers
  • Process structures and equipment support structures
  • Equipment foundations such as heat exchangers, horizontal and vertical vessels, columns, towers, tanks, and spheres
  • Dynamic load structures of compressors and pumps
  • Equipment shelters, plant buildings, control rooms, substations, admin blocks, site camps, and blast‑resistance design of buildings and structures
• Review and interpret topographical and geotechnical reports.
• Review and design under‑ground services, architectural design, modularisation, and prefabricated buildings.
• Ensure compliance with relevant codes, standards, and regulations (e.g., BS, AISC, ACI, ASCE, client specifications).
• Evaluate supplier/subcontractor technical bids for compliance to internal and client specifications and scopes of work.
• Review vendor drawings and other discipline drawings for adequacy of civil design input requirements.
• Optimize design solutions to meet budget constraints without compromising quality and safety.
• Prepare and review civil materials technical reports, method statements, vendor technical clarifications, and technical bid evaluation reports.

Leadership Skill

• Lead and mentor a team of structural engineers and designers, serving as the primary point of contact for structural engineering matters.
• Identify technical issues, define alternative solutions, establish pros and cons for multiple solutions, and make recommendations through official project documents such as technical queries and deviations.
• Allocate tasks, provide guidance, and issue clear directions to ensure effective and efficient project execution.
• Develop project schedules, ensure adherence to timelines and budgets, and monitor project schedules on submissions of civil deliverables.
• Coordinate with project and engineering managers, procurement, construction, and other engineering disciplines to ensure integrated design solutions.
• Ensure all deliverables are accurate, complete, and comply with quality standards and specifications.
• Demonstrate excellent organisational, interpersonal, communication, problem‑solving, initiative, and analytical skills.
• Lead, motivate, coach, and manage a team independently, ensuring engineering competence, team building, and enhancing responsibility and ownership.

Stake‑holder Management

• Liaise with clients, contractors, and other stakeholders to ensure clear communication and understanding of project requirements.
• Manage interface meetings with clients and vendors to progress design scopes.

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Safety and Compliance

• Ensure all civil and structural activities comply with health, safety, and environmental regulations.
• Promote a culture of safety within the engineering team and across the project site.
• Actively participate in project workshops and reviews such as HAZID, layout reviews, 3D model reviews, constructability reviews.

Expected

• Master’s Degree in Structural Engineering as a minimum.
• At least 20 years of experience in oil & gas projects design from conceptual to detailed stages.
• Minimum of 5 years’ experience in Lead Engineer position for a major greenfield/brownfield project FEED and detailed design.
• Experience managing a team of 50+ engineers and designers.
• Experience coordinating satellite office teams and managing productivity and quality.
• Hands‑on experience with industry software such as STAAD Pro Connect Edition, Mat 3D, Foundation 3D, PROKON, 3D model review tools (SPR & Navis Works), MS Office Suite, etc.
• Self‑motivated, results‑oriented, multi‑tasking and flexible to work under tight schedules in a fast‑paced multi‑disciplinary team environment.
• Able to communicate in English both verbally and written with other disciplines & multinational work forces effectively.
• Knowledge of engineering work planning and control methods.
• Knowledge of inter‑discipline coordination.
• Knowledge of related construction practices and the economics involved.

Diversity Statement

We are an equal opportunity employer that recognises the value of a diverse workforce. All suitably qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment on the basis of objective criteria and without regard to race, colour, age, religion, gender, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic in accordance with applicable laws.

Location: Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates – full‑time at the Abu Dhabi Engineering Center.