Senior Instrumentation Engineer - Control Valves

SBM Offshore; Rotterdam; On-site; EUR 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

SBM Offshore is seeking a Senior Instrumentation Engineer – Control Valves to lead valve engineering within the Instrument Department. You will support design, specification, integration and testing of valves and related instrumentation systems for offshore projects.

Responsibilities include selecting valves, performing flow and material calculations, ensuring SIL compliance, and coordinating with multi-discipline teams.

Qualifications

• 8+ years' experience in Instrumentation Valve Engineering in upstream oil & gas.
• Strong knowledge of API 6A/6D including performance requirements and ISO/IEC standards.
• Proactive, team-oriented with strong English communication.

Responsibilities

• Valve selection, specification and compliance with standards.
• Design support and calculations for flow, pressure, and material compatibility.
• Collaborate with instrumentation, process, mechanical and piping teams to integrate valves into systems.
• Ensure valves meet SIL requirements and IEC 61511/61508 familiarity.
• Oversee FAT/SAT and hydrostatic testing and QA/QC processes.
• Assist in vendor management and procurement for valve packages.
• Mentor junior valve engineers in Rotterdam and other SBM locations.

Education

BSc degree

Tools

SmartPlant Instrumentation

AVEVA Engineering

Job description

At SBM Offshore, the Instrument Department is responsible for the design of Process Control and Instrumentation Systems, Integrated Control & Safety Systems, Fire & Gas Systems and Telecom Systems. This includes actuated On/Off valves, Control Valves, Pressure Relief Valves and non-reclosing pressure relief devices such as Rupture Discs.

In the FEED and subsequent Basic and Detailed phases of a project, engineers define the concept and continue to work out the details of the systems, implement vendor data and work closely with sub-contractors to prepare the detailed documentation for construction, commissioning and operation. By making use of reputable suppliers, standardized solutions and experienced contractors, SBM is able to achieve this in a challenging time frame while maintaining high quality.

Senior Instrumentation Engineer - Control Valves

Purpose

The role focuses on valve engineering within SBM’s Instrument Department, supporting the design, specification, integration, testing and reliability of valves and related instrumentation systems.

Responsibilities

1. Valve Selection & Specification:

• Continuously consider cost, constructability, operability and maintainability.
• Specify and/or select appropriate valves (e.g., ball, gate, globe, check, emergency shutdown valves) based on process requirements and applicable Global Technical Standard (GTS).
• Ensure compliance with international industry standards, classification requirements, client specifications, and regulatory requirements such as API 520, API 526, API 6A, API 6D, API 609, API 607, NORSOK M-710 or ISO 23936, ASME and other applicable standards.
• Prepare/review technical datasheets, material selection, and pressure-temperature ratings.
• Maintain a strong background in the analysis of Rapid Gas Decompression (RGD) in valves and elastomers.
• Relevant FPSO experience is preferred.

2. Instrumentation Engineering & Design Support:

• Discuss with the Technical Authority or assist in the design and development of new valve products or modifications to existing designs.
• Perform calculations for flow rates, pressure drops, and material compatibility.
• Collaborate with instrumentation systems, instrumentation design, process, mechanical and piping teams to integrate valves into systems.

3. Safety & Compliance:

• Ensure valves meet safety and environmental standards such as SIL (Safety Integrity Level) requirements.
• The valve engineer must be able to understand IEC 61511 and IEC 61508 standards or be trained as a functional safety engineer.
• Handle the tasks of SBM Performance Standard applicable to valves and instrumentation.
• Support HAZOP and risk assessment studies related to valve performance.
• Keep up to date with industry regulations and technological advancements.

4. Testing & Inspection:

• Supervise factory acceptance tests (FAT), site acceptance tests (SAT), and hydrostatic testing.
• Ensure compliance with quality assurance (QA/QC) processes.
• Troubleshoot valve-related failures and recommend corrective actions such as the execution of Partial Stroke Tests and Staggered Blowdown Tests.

5. Project & Vendor Management:

• Support the supply chain in valve selection and procurement strategy, including qualifying new valve vendors.
• Work with valve manufacturers and suppliers to evaluate technical proposals and ensure product quality.
• Review vendor documentation, drawings, and test reports.

6. Maintenance & Reliability:

• Provide technical support for valve maintenance, repair, and refurbishment in brownfield environments.
• Develop preventive maintenance plans and failure analysis reports.
• Implement reliability improvements for critical valve applications.

7. Mentorship & Development:

• Guide and coach more junior valve engineers in the SBM Rotterdam office as well as engineers in other SBM locations worldwide.
• Provide input to SBM engineering and technical standards for preparing and evaluating valve packages.

Education

• University or Technical College (BSc degree)

Experience

• At least 8 years’ experience in Instrumentation Valve Engineering in the upstream Oil & Gas industry.
• Thorough understanding of international standards API 6A and 6D including performance requirements and ISO actuator requirements.
• In-depth knowledge of API and ASME BPVC requirements for pressure relief devices.
• Fundamental knowledge of control valves and relevant ISO and IEC standards.
• Experience with control valve calculations, preferably with CONVAL.
• Fully competent in the engineering use of SmartPlant Instrumentation.
• Experience with Aveva Engineering is an advantage.
• A proactive approach, taking initiative, problem solving and creative thinking.
• Professional communication in English, verbal and written.
• Conversant with MS Office applications.

Functional Competencies

• ICSS - ICSS Instrumentation Engineering design and calculation tools
• Concept development
• Detailed design
• Systems Engineering
• Package engineering and manufacturing
• Site engineering
• Analysis
• Planning