Mechanical Lead Inspector (Offshore Substation Dubai)

TIS GmbH; Dubai; Hybrid; AED 441,000 - 661,000; Full time

Job summary

TIS GmbH seeks an experienced Mechanical Lead Inspector to act as Client/Owner's Representative for a 2 GW HVDC offshore converter platform. The role covers verification, FAT witnessing, yard inspections in Dubai and offshore commissioning across multiple stages between 2026 and 2031.

Responsibilities include leading a team of inspectors, reviewing documents, coordinating hold/witness points, and ensuring compliance with international codes.

Qualifications

• Degree or certificate in mechanical engineering.
• Minimum 8 years in QA/QC inspection of mechanical equipment, with offshore/marine project exposure.
• Proven experience witnessing FATs, load tests and commissioning activities offshore.

Responsibilities

• Review evidence against Employer's Requirements and advise on compliance status.
• Comment on contractor and supplier documents, including FAT procedures and load tests.
• Define hold/witness points and maintain the mechanical inspection register.
• Witness FATs for mechanical packages and tests on diesel generators, pumps, and lifting appliances.
• Attend supplier kick-off meetings and conduct surveillance visits at sub-suppliers.
• Oversee commissioning tests and ensure readiness for load-out and offshore activities.
• Plan inspection coverage, manage NCRs and drive closure of punch items.
• Report daily/weekly KPIs and participate in HSE walks and reviews.

Skills

Team leadership

Offshore/marine project experience

FAT witnessing

Load tests

Quality control

Client representative

Documentation review

Interdisciplinary coordination

Education

Mechanical engineering degree

Tools

Relatics

ThinkProject

Job description

Mechanical Lead Inspector

Berlin, Germany (remote) → Dubai, UAE (fabrication yard) → Offshore

Contract / Long-term assignment | Start: December 2026

We are looking for an experienced Mechanical Lead Inspector to act as the Client / Owner's Representative for the mechanical scope of a 2 GW HVDC offshore converter platform in the Baltic Sea, built for a German transmission system operator.

The scope covers:

• Material handling: platform cranes, davit and overhead cranes, elevators and hoists
• Access and egress: boat landings, walk-to-work and jack-up landings, and the helideck
• Diesel generators and the fuel system
• Process equipment: pumps, tanks, the fresh water generator and oil/water separators
• The mechanical equipment of the converter cooling system

You follow this scope from requirements verification to offshore commissioning.

Assignment Timeline

• Start: December 2026
• Contract: 12 months, with option to extend
• Work split: 50% on site in Dubai, 40% remote, 10% in Berlin

Key Responsibilities

• Review the contractor's evidence against the Employer's Requirements in the verification plan (Relatics) and recommend compliance status
• Review and comment on contractor and supplier documents, including:
  • ITPs and FAT procedures
  • load test and inspection procedures
  • certification concepts
• Define client hold, witness, review and surveillance points and keep the mechanical inspection register up to date
• Assess Technical Queries, deviation and concession requests and NCRs
• Witness FATs for mechanical packages, including:
  • pumps, tanks and water treatment equipment
  • diesel generator packages and diesel systems
  • lifting appliances and helideck systems
• Witness load, performance, functional, vibration, noise and pressure tests
• Verify CE documentation, lifting appliance certification, material certificates, corrosion protection and marking
• Attend supplier kick-off meetings and audits, and carry out surveillance visits at international sub-suppliers
• Carry out release inspections and verify preservation, packing and readiness for shipment
• At the Dubai yard, inspect:
  • receipt, storage and preservation of mechanical equipment and free-issue materials
  • installation work: alignment, levelling, bolting, grouting and equipment setting
  • seafastening arrangements before load-out
  • certification and marking of lifting appliances and lifting accessories
• Witness commissioning, including:
  • diesel generator load tests and power management system tests
  • fuel system functional tests
  • crane, davit and elevator tests
  • access, egress and emergency evacuation equipment tests
• Plan inspection coverage, coordinate the client inspection team and make sure every hold and witness point is attended
• Raise NCRs, assess root causes and verify closure of corrective and preventive actions
• Carry out mechanical completion inspections and manage close-out of A, B and C punch items
• Take part in final inspections, harbour acceptance tests (HAT) and load-out readiness reviews
• Offshore: monitor re-commissioning after hook-up, witness lifting appliance tests and converter cooling commissioning, and verify closure of offshore punch items
• Issue daily, weekly and monthly inspection reports with KPIs (hold and witness point attendance, NCR status, punch list close-out)
• Report HSE non-conformities and take part in safety walks and HSE reviews

Required Qualifications

• Degree or certificate in mechanical engineering
• Minimum 8 years in QA/QC inspection of mechanical equipment, of which at least 5 years on offshore or marine projects
• Proven experience witnessing FATs and load tests of offshore cranes and lifting appliances, and tests of diesel generator sets and pumps
• Proven experience leading a team of inspectors
• Experience as Lead Inspector, Client Representative or Owner's Inspector on offshore substations, HVDC platforms, oil & gas topsides or ships
• Experience in FAT witnessing and surveillance at international sub-suppliers
• Experience in mechanical completion, pre-commissioning and commissioning, including punch list and completion management systems
• Fluent English, minimum C1 (spoken and written)
• Valid work and travel permits for Europe and the UAE; willingness to travel to suppliers worldwide and to be deployed long-term at the Dubai yard and offshore
• Working knowledge of codes and standards, e.g. EN 13852, DNV-ST-0378, EN 13557, EN 81-20/-50, ISO 8528, ISO 14122, Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC and Machinery Regulation (EU) 2023/1230

All experience must be backed by personal project references stating client, period, scope and your role.

Nice to Have

• Thorough examination and load testing of lifting equipment (DGUV V52, EN 13852, DNV-ST-0145)
• LEEA certification or equivalent lifting inspection qualification
• ISO 9712 Level 2 certification
• Vibration analysis certification (ISO 18436-2)
• Pressure and leak testing of piping systems (EN 13480, DNV standards)
• Inspection of fire-fighting piping, valves and systems (EN 12845, NFPA)
• Previous work on HVDC converter platforms or offshore substations
• Experience on European projects
• Relatics, thinkproject or similar systems; yard experience in the Middle East or Asia

Additional Advantages

• German and Arabic language skills
• Valid GWO BST or OPITO BOSIET (incl. HUET) and offshore medical, or willingness to obtain them before the offshore phase
• Knowledge of BSH offshore codes and German occupational safety rules (BetrSichV, DGUV, ASR)

Why This Role

• Owner's-side position with real authority over the mechanical scope
• One platform from start to finish: verification, FATs, yard, load-out and offshore commissioning (2026 to 2031)
• Lead Inspector role with your own team of inspectors at a major fabrication yard in Dubai
• Grid connection project for the German energy transition, 2 GW HVDC