Lead Instrumentation & Control Engineer-(6 Months Contract)

Role Overview

Lead Instrumentation & Control Engineer at KBR, based in Abu Dhabi, UAE. This is a 6-month contract role within KBR's Inhouse Engineering team.

Company Overview

KBR is a team of teams that delivers future-forward science, technology, and engineering solutions and mission-critical services that help governments and companies around the world accomplish their most important objectives while achieving their sustainability goals. KBR Sustainable Technology Solutions provides holistic and value-added solutions across the entire asset life cycle, including world-class licensed process technologies, differentiated advisory services, deep technical domain expertise, energy transition solutions, high-end design and engineering capabilities, and smart solutions to optimize planned and operating assets.

Role Purpose

Lead, direct, and oversee all Instrumentation & Control (I&C) engineering activities associated with the development of onshore gas processing facilities, pipelines, and wellhead systems throughout the FEED project lifecycle. Serve as the discipline technical authority, providing engineering leadership to ensure the delivery of safe, reliable, maintainable, and cost-effective I&C solutions that comply with client requirements, applicable standards, project schedules, and quality expectations.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership & Team Management

• Function as the Lead Engineer accountable for all Instrumentation & Control engineering deliverables, technical integrity, and discipline team performance.
• Lead and mentor a team of engineers and designers, ensuring consistency, quality, and compliance across all engineering activities.
• Support proposal preparation, technical bid evaluations, manpower estimation, cost forecasting, and discipline planning activities.

Engineering Strategy & Execution

• Develop and implement discipline execution strategies, engineering work plans, resource forecasts, and project deliverable schedules.
• Perform, review, and verify design calculations for control valves, flow elements, thermowells, relief valves, and associated instrumentation systems as applicable.
• Maintain awareness of emerging I&C technologies, digitalization initiatives, and industry best practices, promoting innovative and value-enhancing solutions where appropriate.

Technical Deliverables & Standards

• Provide technical leadership in the preparation, review, and approval of all Instrumentation & Control engineering deliverables, including instrument indexes, I/O lists, datasheets, specifications, requisitions, technical bid evaluations, cable schedules, control philosophies, system architecture documents, and engineering drawings throughout all project phases.
• Interpret and apply relevant international codes and standards, including IEC, ISA, API, IEEE, NFPA, NACE, ISO, and ATEX/IECEx requirements.
• Review, approve, and monitor engineering deliverables prepared by discipline team members, consultants, and subcontractors.
• Ensure adherence to QA/QC procedures, engineering standards, calibration philosophies, datasheet quality requirements, and procurement documentation standards.

Functional Safety & Risk Management

• Lead Functional Safety lifecycle activities in compliance with IEC 61508 and IEC 61511 requirements.
• Develop, review, and approve Safety Requirement Specifications (SRS).
• Participate in SIL determination, verification, and validation studies.
• Review Safety Instrumented Functions (SIFs) and verify performance and reliability requirements.
• Ensure implementation and closure of recommendations arising from HAZID, HAZOP, SIL, LOPA, CHAZOP, cybersecurity, and other risk assessment studies.

Stakeholder & Discipline Coordination

• Act as the focal point for instrumentation, automation, control systems, and functional safety matters while facilitating effective multidisciplinary coordination.
• Interface effectively with Project Management, Engineering Management, Clients, Operations teams, and Vendors to achieve successful project delivery.
• Coordinate closely with Process, Mechanical, Piping, Electrical, Telecommunications, and other engineering disciplines to ensure seamless integration of design solutions.
• Liaise with Clients, Vendors, and third-party stakeholders to ensure technical compliance and resolve engineering challenges.

Project Execution & Quality Assurance

• Lead brownfield modification projects, debottlenecking studies, facility upgrades, and control system migration initiatives.
• Facilitate design reviews, technical assurance activities, and value engineering initiatives to optimize project outcomes.
• Lead interdisciplinary design reviews, technical workshops, and engineering resolution meetings.
• Monitor discipline progress against approved schedules, budgets, and project milestones.
• Identify technical and execution risks and implement effective mitigation strategies.
• Support project planning, forecasting, progress reporting, and resource management activities.
• Ensure timely resolution of technical issues and effective implementation of Management of Change (MOC) processes.
• Ensure maintainability, operability, reliability, lifecycle performance, and asset integrity considerations are embedded within the design.

Qualifications & Experience

• Minimum 16 years of Instrumentation & Control engineering experience in Oil & Gas, Petrochemical, LNG, or Energy sectors.
• Minimum 6 years in a Lead Engineer, Senior Lead Engineer, or equivalent leadership capacity.
• Demonstrated experience delivering onshore brownfield and greenfield projects.
• Proven experience across FEED, Detailed Engineering, EPC, and PMC environments.
• Exposure to onshore gas wellhead, gas processing facilities, and related infrastructure.
• Bachelor's degree in Instrumentation or Electronics & Communication Engineering, or equivalent.
• Professional certifications in Instrumentation, Automation, Functional Safety, or related areas (e.g., ISA, TUV FSE, EXIDA, IEC certifications) are considered an advantage.

Skills & Competencies

• Strong expertise in the design, specification, and implementation of Instrumentation & Control systems and Safety Instrumented Systems (SIS).
• In-depth knowledge of hazardous area classification, equipment selection, certification requirements (IECEx/ATEX), and installation practices for hazardous zones.
• Comprehensive understanding of international standards including API, IEC, ISA, ISO, IEEE, NFPA, NACE, BS EN, and operator-specific standards such as ADNOC requirements.
• Extensive experience with DCS, ESD, FGS, PLC, RTU, SCADA, telecommunications interfaces, and field instrumentation systems.
• Thorough understanding of FEED and Detailed Engineering deliverables, document management systems, MOC processes, and project controls.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, troubleshooting, and technical decision-making capabilities.
• Excellent leadership, communication, stakeholder management, and organizational skills.

Additional Information

• Contract duration: 6 months.
• Location: KBR Office, Abu Dhabi, UAE.
• Opportunities for professional development and career advancement.
• Engaging and collaborative work environment with a commitment to safety and sustainability.