Electrical Lead Engineer (Technical Authority)

Orion Group; Aberdeen City; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Orion Group is recruiting for an Electrical Lead Engineer (Technical Authority) position based in Aberdeen, offering hybrid working arrangements. The successful candidate will lead a team of Electrical engineers, ensuring that business priorities are met while maintaining high standards of safety and integrity.

This permanent role requires significant experience in UK oil and gas operations and a degree in Electrical Engineering. Strong leadership and technical skills are essential to oversee engineering activities and manage risks effectively.

Qualifications

• Chartered status preferred.
• Significant experience in UKCS oil and gas operations.
• Detailed knowledge of safety regulations.

Responsibilities

• Lead a team of Electrical engineers.
• Oversee technical authority for Electrical discipline.
• Conduct internal audits and assurance reviews.
• Provide technical expertise for operational issues.

Skills

Communication

Leadership

Technical Judgement

Risk Management

Electrical Engineering Expertise

Education

Degree in Electrical and Electronic Engineering or equivalent

Job description

Our client is a North Sea operator currently recruiting for the position of Electrical Lead Engineer (Technical Authority) on a permanent staff basis. Aberdeen based with hybrid working.

Responsibilities

• Lead a team of Electrical engineers to ensure business priorities are delivered.
• Discipline head, ensuring discipline health across all areas of the business (Engineering, Operations, Projects) including competence assurance, technical guidance and direction, coaching/mentoring, development of team and succession planning.
• Subject matter expert and appointed Technical Authority for all aspects of the Electrical discipline.
• Provide technical expertise and professional engineering judgement on key operational engineering issues within the Electrical discipline, including assessing the safety, integrity, and production implications arising from operational conditions, deviations, or events.
• Establish, control and oversee the delegation of technical authority within the discipline to competent discipline personnel.
• Maintain oversight and assurance of work carried out by engineers in the discipline. Provide direction, technical advice and support as required.
• Set, maintain and assure SECE Performance Standards. Monitor and audit SECE performance as part of the company’s assurance program.
• Define, maintain and approve assigned OMS documents, Technical Standards and Maintenance Strategies.
• Owner of company Electrical Safety Rules and responsible for the assessment and appointment of offshore Responsible Electrical Persons (REPs).
• Contract owner for relevant contracts as required.

Risk Assessment and Management

• Review and evaluate Operational Risk Assessments and other asset risk evaluations to ensure that potential hazards are identified, analysed, and mitigated appropriately.
• Assume ownership of the Performance Standards for assigned Safety and Environmentally Critical Elements (SECEs), ensuring compliance with Performance Standards over the asset lifecycle.
• Support the Management of Change (MoC) process by ensuring that any operational or technical changes are thoroughly evaluated and approved prior to implementation.
• Approval authority for the Electrical discipline for specific processes (work order deferrals etc).
• Collaborate with engineering and operations teams in the identification and management of asset risks, ensuring that robust risk reduction strategies are implemented.

Audit and Assurance Activities

• Lead and coordinate internal audits and assurance reviews relating to the discipline.
• Provide independent, discipline‑specific assurance to ensure compliance with regulatory and company requirements.
• Establish key performance indicators (KPIs) and assurance metrics to monitor process safety performance and the effectiveness of risk mitigation measures, for example on the effectiveness of inspection and maintenance of Ex certified equipment.
• Carry out ‘Formal Technical Assessments’ on the health of SECE barriers and ensure action is taken to address degraded barriers.

Project Oversight

• Support project teams with input to design decisions, review of key deliverables (such as Basis of Design documents) and resolving technical queries.
• Evaluate project proposals, designs, and engineering documentation to identify potential risks and ensure compliance with company standards and that operability and maintainability requirements are being met.

Incident Response and Investigation

• Lead technical investigations and root cause analyses (RCA) for discipline related incidents or equipment failures.
• Ensure corrective actions are effectively implemented and lessons learned are integrated into updated procedures.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Engage with regulators, duty‑holder forums and industry bodies to share and influence good practice and guidance relevant to the regulatory regime.

Experience & Qualifications

• Degree level qualification in Electrical and Electronic Engineering or equivalent. Chartered status preferred.
• Significant experience in relevant Engineering roles across the asset lifecycle in UKCS oil and gas operations, with a focus on supporting the operational phase and brownfield modifications and projects.
• Detailed knowledge of applicable safety regulations, industry standards, good practice and guidance relating to their discipline.
• Detailed understanding of key legislation and regulatory framework applicable to UKCS offshore installations.
• Proven line management skills with the ability to create a high performing team.
• Excellent communication skills, capable of engaging effectively with stakeholders at all levels.
• Provides robust, independent technical judgement and is prepared to challenge decisions where safety, integrity or compliance may be compromised.

Permanent position

If you feel that you are well suited to the above opportunity and would like to find out more then please contact Orion Group for more information or apply by forwarding your current CV quoting reference: PR/082270.