Principal Specialist - Marine Operations

Mc Dermott; Dubai; On-site; AED 312,000 - 469,000; Full time

Job summary

McDermott International, Ltd in Dubai seeks a Principal Specialist - Marine Operations to lead field engineers on complex offshore projects, ensuring safe, on-time delivery and technical excellence.

The role requires 10–14 years in oil and gas, strong EPCI execution experience, and offshore installation exposure. Proficiency with AutoCAD and MS Office is expected.

Qualifications

• Bachelors in Engineering required; a Master’s is preferred.
• 10–14 years oil and gas industry experience.
• Proven EPCI experience with focus on engineering execution.
• Offshore project and marine installation experience desirable.
• Strong knowledge of engineering methods, tools and software.
• Ability to lead, motivate and develop technical teams.
• Able to solve complex field-engineering problems independently.
• Excellent written and verbal communication, client-facing skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead and supervise Field Engineers on installation projects.
• Ensure safety and schedule adherence for offshore activities.
• Provide technical guidance and mentorship to field staff.
• Coordinate with procurement, construction and installation teams.
• Conduct site visits to monitor progress and performance.
• Identify issues and implement corrective measures.
• Drive quality-control throughout project execution.
• Develop innovative engineering solutions aligned with specs.

Skills

Marine operations

Offshore installation

Field engineering

EPCI project execution

Engineering leadership

Installation planning

Site supervision

Technical reviews

Engineering-system optimization

Constructability assessment

Quality control

Regulatory compliance

Risk identification

Risk mitigation

Technical problem-solving

AutoCAD

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Word

Microsoft PowerPoint

Client management

Team mentoring

Multidisciplinary coordination

Project reporting

Process improvement

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

Master's degree in Engineering is preferred

Tools

AutoCAD

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft PowerPoint

Job description

Job Snapshot

Role: Principal Specialist - Marine Operations

Location: Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Industry: Oil and Energy

Function: Naval Architecture-Marine Engineering

Experience: 10-14 years

Job Type: Full-time

Job Details

Country: United Arab Emirates

City: Dubai

Industry: Oil and Energy

Function: Naval Architecture-Marine Engineering

Salary: AED 28000-42000 per month Estimated salary range based on similar jobs in Dubai; please confirm the final offer with the employer.

Gender: Any

Candidate Nationality: Any

Job Type: Full-time

Role Context

The Principal Marine Operations Specialist works independently with minimal guidance and serves as a technical authority in field engineering and offshore installation. The position leads engineering teams, interprets complex business and project requirements, recommends best practices, and develops practical solutions that support safe, efficient, and timely marine operations.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and supervise Field Engineers and Senior Field Engineers assigned to installation projects.
• Ensure engineering and offshore installation activities are completed safely and on schedule.
• Provide technical guidance and mentorship to field engineering personnel.
• Verify compliance with project requirements, industry standards, and established engineering practices.
• Coordinate engineering activities with procurement, construction, and installation teams.
• Conduct project-site visits to monitor progress and assess technical performance.
• Identify field issues and implement timely corrective measures.
• Monitor quality-control requirements throughout project execution.
• Develop innovative engineering solutions aligned with specifications and customer requirements.
• Ensure proposed solutions comply with regulatory and technical standards.
• Oversee the design and optimization of engineering systems used in project execution.
• Evaluate the feasibility, efficiency, constructability, and safety of deliverables.
• Conduct technical reviews and recommend performance improvements.
• Identify engineering and operational risks and develop mitigation measures.
• Introduce relevant industry practices and emerging engineering methods.
• Support continuous improvement of project procedures and execution methodologies.
• Serve as a principal technical contact for clients throughout the project lifecycle.
• Understand client requirements and provide suitable technical recommendations.
• Maintain effective relationships with project teams, clients, contractors, and other stakeholders.
• Proactively communicate potential challenges, deviations, and opportunities.
• Coordinate the resolution of technical concerns within demanding project deadlines.
• Promote technical excellence, service quality, and customer satisfaction.

Ideal Profile

• Bachelor 's degree in Engineering.
• Master 's degree in Engineering is preferred.
• Between 10 and 14 years of oil and gas industry experience.
• Previous employment with a major engineering contractor or consultant.
• Proven EPCI experience with a strong focus on engineering execution.
• Offshore project and marine installation experience is highly desirable.
• Strong knowledge of applicable engineering methods, tools, and software.
• Demonstrated ability to lead, motivate, and develop technical teams.
• Able to solve complex field-engineering problems independently.
• Strong analytical judgment and attention to technical detail.
• Capable of managing multiple priorities under short deadlines.
• Excellent written, verbal, interpersonal, and client-facing communication skills.
• Working knowledge of AutoCAD.
• Familiarity with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

Skills Set

• Marine operations
• Offshore installation
• Field engineering
• EPCI project execution
• Engineering leadership
• Installation planning
• Site supervision
• Technical reviews
• Engineering-system optimization
• Constructability assessment
• Quality control
• Regulatory compliance
• Risk identification
• Risk mitigation
• Technical problem-solving
• AutoCAD
• Microsoft Excel
• Microsoft Word
• Microsoft PowerPoint
• Client management
• Team mentoring
• Multidisciplinary coordination
• Project reporting
• Process improvement

Why Join Us

This role provides the opportunity to lead field engineering and marine installation activities across complex offshore energy projects. The successful candidate will guide experienced technical teams, influence project execution practices, resolve high-impact engineering challenges, and maintain direct engagement with clients throughout the project lifecycle.

About the Company

McDermott International, Ltd is a global engineering and construction company serving the energy industry. For more than 100 years, the company has transformed complex ideas into operational infrastructure, including subsea systems, offshore platforms, offshore wind facilities, and major onshore developments. With more than 30000 professionals across 54 countries, McDermott combines engineering expertise, technology, and project execution capabilities to support reliable energy delivery and the global energy transition.