Lead Project Engineer

EHIF; Sharjah; On-site; AED 293,000 - 368,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading engineering firm is seeking a Lead Project Engineer in Sharjah, UAE. The ideal candidate will lead the design and execution of complex oil and gas projects and has 15+ years of experience, including significant time in the Gulf region. This full-time office-based role offers competitive pay and a commitment to professional development.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Medical insurance

Commitment to professional development

Employee share plan

Qualifications

• 15+ years of relevant experience in major Brownfield oil & gas projects.
• At least 5 years in a similar lead position.
• Specific experience in Oil and Gas projects across their lifecycle in the GCC region.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design and execution of complex oil and gas projects.
• Supervise a small work group of technical staff.
• Participate in audits and incident investigations.
• Ensure successful completion of projects within budget and time constraints.

Skills

Leadership

Technical expertise in Oil and Gas

Project management

Problem-solving

Communication

Education

B.Sc. in Engineering or equivalent

Tools

Project planning software

Job description

Wood is recruiting for a Lead Project Engineer to join our team in Sharjah, UAE. This is a full-time office‑based role.

The role

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced Lead Project Engineer to join our Iraq Operations Business. This role is full‑time office‑based in Sharjah, UAE. The Lead Project Engineer will lead the design and execution of complex upstream and midstream oil and gas projects in Iraq, supporting clients to deliver energy security and decarbonisation ambitions.

Our Clients and Projects

Wood is an integral part of operations in Iraq and is continuing to grow its footprint across the country. With a 90‑year heritage, 10 major contracts and over 850 employees, Wood delivers complex upstream and midstream oil and gas projects, providing maintenance, modifications and engineering solutions. The focus is on decarbonising existing assets, producing cleaner energy and developing a sustainable national workforce.

What we can offer

• Meaningful and interesting projects – Delivered to high profile clients and complex projects in Iraq.
• Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion – Widespread networks support all employees.
• Competitive salary – Regular reviews to reward at the right level.
• Commitment to continued professional development – Tailored development plans.
• Global connections – Join experts around the world at the leading edge of the industry.
• Medical insurance – Covers inpatient and outpatient care.
• Group life and personal accident insurance – Life assurance cover.
• Employee share plan – Opportunity to purchase Wood shares with company match.
• Long service award – Celebrates loyalty at 5‑year milestones.

Job Objective

Contributing to technical delivery of engineering excellence through:

• Executing assigned scopes of work.
• Providing discipline expertise to the business.
• Supporting and supervising task delegation to the team.
• Using technical knowledge to perform assignments and produce deliverables, including complex problems.
• Serving as the primary discipline engineer or technical authority on small to medium projects.
• Performing significant assignments with engineering technique selection and design recommendations.
• Coordinating difficult tasks and applying expertise in the discipline area.
• Reviewing and managing complex projects within consultancy settings.

Key Accountabilities & Responsibilities

Executing Assigned Scopes of Work

• Participate as a team member in a specific phase of a broad engineering assignment.
• Direct preparation of appropriate documentation.
• Ensure successful completion within budgeted time and cost.
• Define engineering approaches, plan and schedule work.
• Evaluate problems, organise investigations and establish performance specifications.
• Check calculations and drawings to industry codes and standards.
• Assist in the development of less senior technical professionals.
• Adhere to discipline procedures and provide feedback for continuous improvement.
• Participate in audits and incident investigations.
• Perform complex engineering tasks for major projects.
• Attend site visits, project reviews, design reviews and workshops.
• Organise and actively participate in design reviews.

Providing discipline expertise

• Solve problems requiring new approaches or uses for existing ones.
• Modify established guidelines, devise new approaches and apply criteria creatively.
• Act as a technical leader or significant contributor to complex projects.
• Produce innovative solutions for complex problems.
• Use creativity and professional judgement in engineering standards and constructive thinking.
• Develop unique solutions for technical problems.
• Anticipate potential problems and solve complex issues creatively.
• Exercise professional judgement on experimental results.
• Understand customer needs and apply solutions to meet goals.
• Provide technical input and support to proposals.

Supporting and supervising task delegation to team

• Supervise a small work group of technical staff with coaching.
• Assist in managerial tasks: assign tasks, plan and coordinate engineering work, prepare scopes, schedules and budgets, attend meetings, develop junior staff.
• Discuss priorities and implications with senior engineers.
• Approve work schedules and recommend resources.
• Commit to acceptance of projects, completion dates and resource allocation.
• Coordinate activities of engineering and design groups on small projects.
• Develop deadlines and work plans.
• Manage small projects with responsibility for cost, schedule, resources and risk.
• Provide HSSE leadership compliant with safety requirements.

Working Relationships

Internal

• Develop productive collaborations within and across projects, offices and regions.
• Engage with inter‑discipline community and promote networking and knowledge sharing.
• Persuade stakeholders to change criteria or methods and accept findings.
• Seek support from managers for major projects.

External

• Maintain awareness of external stakeholders: industry bodies, academia, vendors.
• Build relationships with customers.
• Seek new avenues for building external relationships and coach others.

Level Of Influence & Decision‑Making Authority

• Work is assigned within broad guidelines; complex matters referred to senior authority.
• Decisions influence technical, operational and financial results.
• Translate standards and guidelines into practical actions.
• No direct reports but serve as a technical resource.
• May supervise teams and guide junior staff.
• Accountable for own targets.
• Performance reviewed and evaluated.

What makes you remarkable?

At Wood, we are committed to equal opportunities and welcome all talented individuals to consider joining our team. Even if you don't match every statement below but feel you have some of the experience, knowledge or skills needed for this role, we encourage you to apply. It will take all of us working together to deliver solutions to the world’s most critical challenges.

Expected

• B.Sc. or equivalent degree in an Engineering discipline from an accredited university.
• Minimum of 15+ years relevant experience in major Brownfield oil & gas projects, including at least 5 years in a similar position.

Knowledge, skills and experience

• Specific experience in Oil and Gas projects across their lifecycle in the GCC region, preferred.
• Pre‑FEED and FEED experience required.
• Detailed Engineering experience preferred.

Role‑Specific Skills and Knowledge

• Provide guidance and direction to project team, managing, motivating and mentoring professional engineering specialists.
• Discover issues and recommend solutions to technical and commercial issues.
• Proficient user of relevant software and calculation templates.
• Professional level of ability in the application of standards, processes and procedures.
• Knowledge of applicable codes and standards.
• Technically competent in own discipline, pursuing continuous professional development.
• Maintains knowledge of regulatory framework and industry developments.
• Apply mature professional knowledge to complex assignments.
• Apply advanced laws, principles, mathematics or industry knowledge to improve designs.
• Excellent skills in persuasion, negotiation, motivation and communication.
• Proficiency in project planning.
• Work knowledge of Wood business units, functions and services.

Personal attributes

• Solutions‑oriented and creative, applying process and rigour to deliver quality solutions.
• Compelling communicator, verbally and written.
• Good interpersonal and team‑working skills.
• Enthusiastic, conscientious and committed to continuous professional development.
• High awareness and commitment to safety.
• Strong organisational skills and attention to detail.
• Highly motivated, demonstrating personal initiative.
• Integrity, strong work ethic, positive attitude and dependability.
• Adaptable and flexible to changing project needs.

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 the following (which is a non‑exhaustive list): race, colour, age, religion, gender, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, protected veteran status, or other characteristics in accordance with the relevant governing laws.