Senior Principal Mechanical Engineer

Mc Dermott; Dubai; On-site; AED 132,207 - 161,586; Full time

Job summary

Mc Dermott is seeking a Senior Principal Mechanical Engineer in Dubai, UAE, for the Oil and Energy sector. This senior role involves mechanical engineering leadership, focusing on FEED and detailed design, project execution, and technical governance.

The ideal candidate will have 15-20 years of experience, proven leadership in large teams, and a strong understanding of complex engineering problems.

Qualifications

• 15-20 years of experience in mechanical engineering, preferably in the oil and gas sector.
• Strong understanding of engineering execution and procurement support.
• Proven ability to lead and mentor engineering teams.

Responsibilities

• Perform FEED and detailed mechanical engineering analysis and design.
• Manage engineering priorities and project deliverables.
• Lead large mechanical teams ensuring project timelines and standards are met.

Skills

Mechanical engineering leadership

FEED and detailed design

Oil and gas project execution

Mechanical equipment specifications

Technical quality audits

Change management

Education

Bachelor’s Degree or Master’s Degree in Engineering

Job description

Senior Principal Mechanical Engineer

Location: Dubai, UAE

Industry: Oil and Energy

Function: Mechanical Engineering

Experience: 15‑20 years

Job Type: Full‑time

Gender: Any

Nationality: Any

Salary: 40,000–40,000 USD (estimated; please confirm final offer with employer).

Senior Principal Mechanical Engineer in Dubai, UAE for the Oil and Energy sector is a senior specialist role focused on mechanical engineering leadership, FEED and detailed design, project execution, technical governance, and complex engineering problem‑solving. This opportunity is suited to an experienced mechanical engineering professional who can lead large discipline teams, guide project strategy, manage technical deliverables, support procurement and fabrication, and influence engineering quality across major energy projects.

Key Responsibilities

• Perform conceptual, FEED, and detailed mechanical engineering analysis and design in line with design basis, project specifications, codes, and standards.
• Develop reliable, cost‑effective, and innovative solutions for complex mechanical engineering challenges.
• Apply specialist expertise to high‑impact technical problems that affect project execution, business direction, and engineering performance.
• Manage engineering priorities, personal work objectives, and resource forecasting when assigned as Lead Engineer.
• Lead large mechanical engineering teams and ensure discipline deliverables are completed within approved schedule, budget, standards, and project procedures.
• Plan and direct discipline execution, including scope, deliverables, workforce resources, technical interfaces, schedules, and productivity targets.
• Represent the mechanical discipline in meetings with project teams, customer discipline leads, certifying authorities, auditors, and third‑party agencies.
• Review project scope, specifications, contractual requirements, fabrication schedules, construction sequence, milestones, and inter‑discipline requirements.
• Identify scope changes, prepare supporting documentation, raise change notifications, and support variation order requirements.
• Coordinate with all engineering disciplines to support clash‑free designs and timely design input exchange.
• Prepare bid proposal estimates, technical query reviews, execution statements, man‑hour estimates, and software requirement inputs.
• Prepare, review, and approve mechanical engineering design basis documents, philosophies, specifications, design reports, and technical procedures.
• Support procurement by preparing and approving requisitions, evaluating technical quotations, preparing queries, compiling bid tabulations, and expediting vendor documents.
• Review vendor and subcontractor submittals for compliance with project specifications and provide technical comments.
• Participate in design verification, single‑discipline checks, inter‑discipline checks, HAZOP meetings, 3D model reviews, offshore site surveys, vendor meetings, and engineering reviews.
• Provide technical support for fabrication queries, customer comments, certifying authority responses, technical audits, and design review actions.
• Guide engineers and designers on discipline procedures, design calculations, technical evaluations, software use, requisitions, and project standards.
• Assign tasks based on team capability, monitor discipline costs, evaluate solution costs, and support continuous improvement of engineering methods.
• Participate in Factory Acceptance Testing, vendor assistance planning, installation support, pre‑commissioning, and commissioning coordination.
• Update equipment lists, P and ID, electrical load lists, weight reports, and related project documentation based on vendor information.
• Support departmental technical guidelines, global procedures, software standards, lessons learned, staff development, and performance feedback.
• Act as a subject matter expert in internal forums and represent technical mechanical engineering capability when required.

Ideal Profile

• Bachelor’s Degree or Master’s Degree in Engineering.
• Extensive oil and gas engineering experience with a major contractor or consultant, mainly in FEED, detailed design, and project execution.
• Strong mechanical engineering expertise across equipment specifications, datasheets, handling philosophy, spare parts planning, special tools, lubrication schedules, and vendor technical documentation.
• Proven ability to lead large mechanical engineering teams and manage discipline scope, budgets, schedules, man‑hours, and deliverables.
• Strong understanding of engineering execution, procurement support, fabrication support, commissioning readiness, technical audits, and customer‑facing coordination.
• Able to solve highly complex technical problems independently and influence decisions across project and discipline teams.
• Strong communication and presentation skills with the ability to explain complex ideas clearly and address potential objections.
• Experience participating in HAZOP reviews, 3D model reviews, Factory Acceptance Testing, offshore site surveys, and technical quality audits.
• Able to coordinate with project management, planning, procurement, quality, certification teams, vendors, subcontractors, customers, and other engineering disciplines.
• Strong cost awareness, HSE focus, quality mindset, and commitment to continuous improvement.
• Ability to mentor engineers, support staff development, contribute to technical standards, and improve engineering procedures.
• Flexible to support business needs, project reassignment, workload changes, and evolving engineering tools or work methods.

Skills Set

• Mechanical engineering leadership
• FEED and detailed design
• Oil and gas project execution
• Mechanical equipment specifications
• Mechanical datasheets
• Engineering design basis
• Design reports and procedures
• Technical bid evaluation
• Procurement support
• Vendor document review
• Fabrication query support
• Factory Acceptance Testing
• 3D model review
• HAZOP participation
• P and ID updates
• Electrical load list updates
• Equipment list management
• Spare parts and special tools planning
• Mechanical handling philosophy
• Lubrication schedules
• Inter‑discipline coordination
• Technical quality audits
• Change management
• Man‑hour budgeting
• Workforce planning
• Engineering team mentoring
• Customer and vendor coordination

Why Join Us

• Lead senior mechanical engineering work on complex Oil and Energy projects with high technical, commercial, and operational impact.
• Influence discipline strategy, engineering quality, project execution, and resource planning across major energy developments.
• Work with international project teams covering engineering, procurement, fabrication, construction, installation, pre‑commissioning, and commissioning.
• Strengthen technical leadership by guiding large engineering teams, mentoring professionals, and supporting global procedures and standards.
• Join a global energy project company with deep experience in offshore, subsea, onshore, and energy transition infrastructure delivery.

About the Company

McDermott International, Ltd is a global engineering, procurement, construction, and installation company serving the energy industry. With more than 100 years of experience, McDermott delivers offshore, subsea, onshore, and energy transition projects through advanced engineering capability, disciplined execution, safe project delivery, and reliable international operations.