Principal Commissioning Engineer

Mc Dermott; Dubai; On-site; AED 312,480 - 446,400; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Opportunities for technical leadership

International site exposure

Work on high-value EPC projects

Job summary

Mc Dermott is seeking a Principal Commissioning Engineer with 15-20 years of experience in the oil and gas industry, based in Dubai, UAE. The role involves leading commissioning planning, supervising operational documentation, and ensuring the efficient execution of commissioning activities.

The ideal candidate will possess strong expertise in commissioning and start-up within major EPC projects. This position offers a chance to work on significant global energy infrastructure projects.

Qualifications

• 15 to 20 years of oil and gas industry experience with major EPC contractors or consultants.
• Minimum 5 years of direct experience in chemical, refinery, or oil and gas processing facilities.
• Proven commissioning and start-up experience on at least 3 major EPC projects.
• Strong technical communication skills for both engineers and non-technical stakeholders.
• Ability to work independently and lead specialist commissioning teams.

Responsibilities

• Support safe and efficient execution of pre-commissioning, commissioning, start-up, and performance testing activities.
• Lead commissioning planning to achieve plant production objectives and contractual requirements.
• Supervise development of commissioning home office deliverables and operational documentation.
• Participate in systemization planning and system boundary mark-up development.
• Attend engineering design reviews, including HAZOP and model reviews.
• Supervise development of operating manuals and commissioning procedures.

Skills

Commissioning and start-up management

Pre-commissioning planning

HAZOP and SIL participation

Mechanical completion coordination

Operating manual preparation

EPC project execution

MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Visio proficiency

Vendor and subcontractor coordination

System handover and punch-list management

Cross-functional leadership and client coordination

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering or equivalent qualification

Job description

Job Snapshot

Role: Principal Commissioning Engineer. Location: Dubai, UAE. Industry: Oil and Energy. Function: Engineering. Experience: 15-20 years. Job Type: Full-time. Salary: 28,000-40,000 monthly (Market estimated). Gender: Any. Candidate Nationality: Any.

Responsibilities

• Report to the Commissioning Manager and support safe and efficient execution of pre‑commissioning, commissioning, start‑up, and performance testing activities.
• Lead commissioning planning to achieve plant production objectives and McDermott contractual requirements.
• Coordinate closely with project teams and client representatives to maintain strong working relationships.
• Supervise development of commissioning home office deliverables and operational documentation.
• Participate in systemization planning and system boundary mark‑up development.
• Attend engineering design reviews, including HAZOP, P and ID reviews, SIL studies, and model reviews.
• Support commissioning activity schedules for utility and process systems.
• Supervise development of operating manuals and commissioning procedures.
• Oversee CSU spares planning, temporary equipment, subcontractor services, and vendor support.
• Work with completions teams, construction teams, and clients during inspections and testing activities.
• Lead commissioning engineers, subcontractors, and client personnel during execution phases.
• Coordinate mechanical completion inspections and accept systems ready for pre‑commissioning.
• Participate in walk‑downs, punch‑list development, and closure of outstanding items.
• Contribute to lessons learned and continuous improvement initiatives.

Ideal Profile

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering or equivalent qualification.
• 15 to 20 years of oil and gas industry experience with major EPC contractors or consultants.
• Strong expertise in commissioning, completions, start‑up, and operations readiness.
• Minimum 5 years of direct experience in chemical, refinery, or oil and gas processing facilities.
• Proven commissioning and start‑up experience on at least 3 major EPC projects.
• Strong technical communication skills for both engineers and non‑technical stakeholders.
• Ability to work independently and lead specialist commissioning teams.
• Willingness to travel to international construction and commissioning sites.

Skills Set

• Commissioning and start‑up management.
• Pre‑commissioning planning.
• HAZOP and SIL participation.
• Mechanical completion coordination.
• Operating manual preparation.
• EPC project execution.
• MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Visio proficiency.
• Vendor and subcontractor coordination.
• System handover and punch‑list management.
• Cross‑functional leadership and client coordination.

Why Join Us

• Work on world‑scale offshore and onshore energy infrastructure projects.
• Lead critical commissioning operations for high‑value EPC facilities.
• Join a globally respected engineering organization with long‑term project stability.
• Strong opportunities for technical leadership and international site exposure.
• Be part of major projects supporting the global energy transition.