Principal Mechanical Engineer - Design

Mc Dermott; Dubai; On-site; AED 390,600 - 613,800; Full time

Job summary

Mc Dermott is seeking a Principal Mechanical Engineer in Dubai, UAE for the Oil and Energy sector. This senior technical role requires extensive mechanical design experience, particularly in FEED and EPC project execution, to lead engineering deliverables and resolve complex design challenges.

The ideal candidate should possess 15-20 years of relevant experience and have a deep understanding of mechanical engineering principles, equipment specifications, and multi-disciplinary coordination.

Qualifications

• 15-20 years of oil and gas experience with a major contractor or consultant.
• Strong experience in mechanical engineering for EPC, FEED, detailed design.
• Fluent English communication skills with ability to present technical concepts.

Responsibilities

• Lead mechanical engineering deliverables for complex energy projects.
• Perform conceptual and detailed mechanical engineering analyses.
• Review vendor and subcontractor submittals for compliance with project requirements.

Skills

Mechanical engineering design

FEED and detailed engineering

EPC project execution

Mechanical equipment specifications

Mechanical handling philosophy

Education

Bachelor's Degree or Master's Degree in Engineering

Job description

Job Details

Role: Principal Mechanical Engineer

Location: Dubai, UAE

Industry: Oil and Energy

Function: Mechanical Engineering

Experience: 15-20 years

Job Type: Full-time

Salary: 35000-55000

Gender: Any

Candidate Nationality: Any

Overview

Principal Mechanical Engineer in Dubai, UAE for the Oil and Energy sector is a senior technical opportunity for an experienced mechanical design specialist with strong FEED, detailed engineering, EPC project execution, equipment specification, and multi‑discipline coordination experience. The role supports complex energy projects by leading mechanical engineering deliverables, resolving advanced design challenges, guiding engineering teams, and ensuring safe, cost‑conscious, and high‑quality project delivery.

Key Responsibilities

• Perform conceptual, FEED, and detailed mechanical engineering analyses based on project design basis, technical specifications, design codes, and international standards.
• Prepare clear design calculations, engineering reports, technical procedures, equipment specifications, datasheets, and mechanical deliverables.
• Address complex mechanical engineering problems, non‑standard technical situations, and design issues with limited supervision.
• Lead mechanical engineering work areas when assigned, ensuring deliverables are completed within approved schedule, budget, project procedures, and professional standards.
• Plan and manage discipline scope, deliverables, schedules, manpower requirements, productivity, progress reporting, and corrective actions.
• Review project scope of work, specifications, inter‑discipline requirements, fabrication schedules, construction sequence, milestones, and contractual engineering obligations.
• Interface with engineering disciplines, safety, project management, planning, cost control, document control, procurement, QC, certification teams, vendors, subcontractors, and customers.
• Prepare, review, and approve engineering design basis documents, design philosophies, technical specifications, requisitions, bid evaluations, purchase requisitions, and vendor document comments.
• Support procurement activities by reviewing technical quotations, preparing technical queries, compiling bid tabulations, and coordinating vendor document expediting.
• Review vendor and subcontractor submittals for compliance with project requirements and provide technical comments as needed.
• Participate in design verification, single‑discipline checks, inter‑discipline checks, HAZOP meetings, 3D model reviews, kickoff meetings, vendor meetings, engineering reviews, and site surveys.
• Provide mechanical engineering input to piping design, electrical load lists, P and IDs, equipment lists, weight reports, and other discipline deliverables.
• Check and approve mechanical equipment lists, spare parts lists, special tools lists, lubrication schedules, mechanical handling philosophy reports, and related requisitions.
• Assist with equipment inspection, testing, Factory Acceptance Testing, vendor assistance planning, installation support, pre‑commissioning, and commissioning requirements.
• Provide technical support for fabrication queries, customer comments, certifying authority reviews, third‑party audits, and project quality audits.
• Guide less experienced engineers on procedures, standards, design calculations, technical bid evaluations, software, requisitions, and technical query preparation.
• Support the Discipline Manager with workforce planning, performance feedback, interview support, technical guideline maintenance, and development of global procedures and standards.
• Capture lessons learned and contribute to continuous improvement across mechanical engineering processes and project execution methods.

Ideal Profile

• Bachelor's Degree or Master's Degree in Engineering.
• 15-20 years of oil and gas experience with a major contractor or consultant, mainly in detailed mechanical design.
• Strong experience in mechanical engineering for EPC, FEED, detailed design, fabrication support, procurement support, and project execution.
• Ability to lead small or medium mechanical engineering teams and coordinate discipline deliverables across complex projects.
• Strong knowledge of mechanical equipment specifications, datasheets, handling philosophy, spare parts planning, special tools, lubrication schedules, vendor data, and design review workflows.
• Able to solve complex technical problems independently and recommend practical engineering solutions.
• Preferably registered as a Professional Engineer or member of a recognized professional engineering society.
• Good understanding of HSE, TQM, cost control, productivity, progress monitoring, and project quality requirements.
• Strong organizer, motivator, and supervisor with the ability to guide senior engineers, mechanical engineers, and associated engineers.
• Fluent English communication skills with the ability to present technical concepts, document key decisions, and coordinate with customers and project stakeholders.
• Flexible to support reassignment to other offices, project workload changes, colleague replacement needs, and evolving engineering software or work methods.

Skills Set

• Mechanical engineering design
• FEED and detailed engineering
• EPC project execution
• Mechanical equipment specifications
• Mechanical datasheets
• Design calculations and reports
• Procurement support
• Technical bid evaluation
• Vendor document review
• Factory Acceptance Testing
• Mechanical handling philosophy
• Equipment inspection and testing
• Spare parts and special tools planning
• P and ID review
• Electrical load list updates
• 3D model review
• HAZOP participation
• Inter‑discipline coordination
• Fabrication query support
• Technical quality audits
• Cost and productivity monitoring
• Engineering team supervision
• Project forecasting and manpower planning