Operations & Maintenance Lead

Wood; Sharjah; On-site; AED 367,000 - 441,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading global engineering firm is seeking an Operations & Maintenance Lead in Sharjah, UAE. The successful candidate will oversee the safe and efficient operation of field production facilities and utilities, ensuring compliance with safety standards and optimizing asset integrity. This position requires 15+ years of O&M experience in oil & gas, strong leadership skills, and technical proficiency in CMMS tools. Competitive salary and comprehensive benefits are offered, along with a commitment to diversity and professional development.

Benefits

Medical Insurance

Group Life and Personal Accident Insurance

Employee Share Plan

Long Service Award

Qualifications

• 15+ years of O&M experience in oil & gas production facilities, preferably in the Middle East.
• Strong field experience with surface facilities, pumps, compressors, and rotating equipment.
• Technical skills in oil & gas processes and understanding of HSE standards.

Responsibilities

• Oversee day-to-day operations of surface facilities and utilities.
• Implement SOPs and ensure compliance with safety protocols.
• Manage maintenance technicians and contractors to minimize downtime.

Skills

Leadership

Communication skills

Problem solving

Cultural awareness

Education

Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering or equivalent

Tools

CMMS tools (SAP, Maximo)

Job description

Job Description

Wood is looking for an Operations & Maintenance Lead to join our Engineering team in Sharjah, UAE.

Role Purpose

The Operations & Maintenance Lead is responsible for overseeing the safe, reliable, and efficient operation of field production facilities, utilities, and supporting infrastructure within the Kirkuk project. This role ensures O&M activities are executed in compliance with international standards, local regulations, and company HSE protocols, while supporting production targets and optimizing asset integrity.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee day-to-day operations of surface facilities, processing units, wells, pipelines, and utilities.
• Ensure seamless coordination between operations, maintenance, HSE, engineering, and field teams.
• Monitor production KPIs and troubleshoot operational deviations.
• Implement standard operating procedures (SOPs) and ensure compliance.
• Develop and execute preventive, predictive, and corrective maintenance programs for mechanical, electrical, and instrumentation systems.
• Lead maintenance planning, scheduling, and prioritization to minimize downtime.
• Manage maintenance technicians and contractors to ensure timely work execution.
• Champion a strong safety culture across all operations and maintenance teams.
• Enforce compliance with Iraq oilfield regulations, company HSE policies, and international best practices.
• Support reliability engineering initiatives, including RCA, FMECA, and equipment life cycle management.
• Lead, train, and mentor local Iraqi staff and expat technicians.
• Liaise with internal stakeholders (engineering, logistics, procurement, drilling, completions) and external stakeholders including government bodies, contractors, and JV partners.
• Support facility upgrades, brownfield modifications, and commissioning activities.

What We Can Offer

• Meaningful and interesting projects delivered to high profile clients and complex projects in Iraq.
• Commitment to diversity and inclusion; we are an organization actively committed to diversity and inclusion across our business with employee networks committed to giving all employees a voice.
• Competitive salary with regular salary reviews to ensure we are rewarding at the right level in line with the market.
• Commitment to continued professional development; development plans that are tailored to your individual needs and interests.
• Global connections: join experts around the world who are at the leading edge of our industry, shaping the standards of our profession.
• Medical Insurance: ensures inpatient and outpatient medical care is available should you require treatment.
• Group Life and Personal Accident Insurance: the company provides Life Assurance cover.
• The Employee Share Plan: gives you the opportunity to purchase Wood shares and receive a match from the company.
• Long Service Award: Wood values the commitment and loyalty of our people. Celebrating Long Service provides an opportunity for the business to demonstrate their appreciation of the hard work, dedication and many years’ services of our employees at 5‑year service milestones.

Qualifications

Education: Bachelor’s degree in mechanical, or equivalent.

Professional Experience: 15+ years of O&M experience in oil & gas production facilities, preferably Middle East operations. Strong field experience with surface facilities, CPF, water injection, gas handling, pumps, compressors, and rotating equipment. Previous experience in Iraq or similar high‑complexity international projects preferred.

Technical Skills: Strong knowledge of oil & gas production processes; proficiency in CMMS tools (SAP, Maximo); understanding of HSE standards (API, OSHA, ISO); ability to read P&IDs, PFDs, equipment specs, maintenance manuals.

Soft Skills: Strong leadership and communication skills; ability to work under pressure and in remote field conditions; cultural awareness and adaptability in multicultural teams; strong problem solving and decision‑making abilities.

About Us

Wood is a global leader in consulting and engineering, helping to unlock solutions to critical challenges in energy and materials markets. We provide consulting, projects and operations solutions in 60 countries, employing around 35,000 people. www.woodplc.com

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.