Lead Project Engineer (Risk Management) - MEAC

Role Overview

Lead Project Engineer (Risk Management) - MEAC at Wood PLC, reporting to the Head of Risk - MEAC. This role provides specialist risk management support across the Middle East, Africa, and Caspian region.

Company Overview

Wood's Oil, Gas & New Energies business delivers large and complex projects for national and international energy companies globally. The business is the market-leading provider of integrated and innovative solutions in oil and gas upstream and midstream, onshore and offshore, gas to liquids and decarbonization and electrification markets. The team is committed to steady and predictable delivery and sustains a strong reputation for enabling transformative projects in energy security, transition and supply.

Role Purpose

Support major projects and bids across the MEAC region by helping project teams identify, assess and manage uncertainty throughout the project lifecycle. Provide proactive and data-driven risk management that enhances project certainty, improves business performance, and enables informed decision-making across the MEAC portfolio.

Key Responsibilities

Risk Management & Identification

• Support the development, implementation and maintenance of Project Risk Management Plans in accordance with company standards, client requirements and industry best practice.
• Facilitate and support the identification of risks and opportunities across all project phases, including design, engineering, procurement, construction, commissioning, and handover.
• Facilitate risk workshops, reviews, and structured brainstorming sessions with multidisciplinary stakeholders.
• Establish, maintain, and continuously update comprehensive project and bid Risk Registers.
• Assess and prioritize risks relating to cost, schedule, safety, technical performance, commercial exposure, and project delivery.
• Apply practical engineering and construction experience to identify project uncertainties, challenge assumptions and assess potential impacts to project delivery.

Risk Mitigation & Control

• Develop, coordinate, and monitor risk mitigation, management, and contingency plans with designated risk owners.
• Collaborate closely with Engineering, Procurement, Construction, Project Controls, and Commercial teams to reduce risk exposure and maximize opportunities.
• Ensure agreed risk response actions are integrated into project schedules, budgets, execution strategies, and delivery plans.
• Monitor the effectiveness of mitigation measures and recommend adjustments where required to improve project outcomes.

Risk Monitoring & Reporting

• Track identified risks and opportunities throughout the project lifecycle, ensuring mitigation actions are implemented and closed out effectively.
• Regularly review and update Risk Registers with project teams and key stakeholders.
• Prepare and present risk reports, dashboards, heat maps, and key risk indicators (KRIs/KPIs) for project teams, management, and clients.
• Escalate critical risks, emerging threats, and significant trends to senior leadership in a timely manner.
• Provide risk insights and recommendations to support informed decision-making at project and portfolio levels.

Quantitative Risk Analysis & Assessment

• Support the development and delivery of Cost Risk Analysis (CRA) and Schedule Risk Analysis (SRA) under the guidance of senior risk professionals.
• Develop an understanding of quantitative risk analysis techniques, including probabilistic modelling and Monte Carlo simulation.
• Assist with the development, review and validation of risk models, assumptions and input data.
• Challenge project assumptions and uncertainty ranges in collaboration with Engineering, Procurement, Construction and Commercial teams.
• Support the interpretation and communication of risk analysis outputs, including confidence levels, contingency requirements and key risk drivers.
• Contribute to the preparation and presentation of risk analysis results to project teams, management and clients.

Stakeholder Coordination & Interface

• Support and coordinate risk management activities across Bid Teams, Planning, Cost, HSE, Engineering, Procurement and Construction functions.
• Support Commercial and Contract Management teams in the identification and evaluation of contractual and commercial risks.
• Participate in client meetings, audits, assurance reviews, and risk workshops.
• Ensure risk management processes, reporting, and deliverables are aligned with client expectations and contractual requirements.
• Promote a proactive risk-aware culture across projects and proposals within the MEAC region.

Compliance & Governance

• Ensure compliance with corporate risk management frameworks, procedures, standards, and industry best practices.
• Support internal and external audits, assurance activities, and governance reviews related to project risk management.
• Maintain accurate records, documentation, and audit trails for all risk management activities and decisions.
• Contribute to the continuous improvement of risk management processes, tools, methodologies, and reporting standards across the MEAC region.
• Provide coaching and guidance to project teams on risk management principles, processes, and best practices.

Qualifications & Experience

• Experience solving engineering or construction delivery challenges on complex projects.
• Sound technical judgement and background in engineering or construction delivery.
• Prior experience in formal risk management, Cost Risk Analysis (CRA) or Schedule Risk Analysis (SRA) is not required.

Skills & Competencies

• Natural curiosity and comfort questioning assumptions.
• Ability to understand how issues in one area of a project can affect cost, schedule, quality and project outcomes.
• Strong ability to work with people from different disciplines and facilitate discussions.
• Interest in developing specialist expertise in project risk management and quantitative risk analysis.
• Clear and confident communication with both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Analytical mindset and understanding of how engineering, construction and commercial uncertainties affect project outcomes.

Additional Information

• Medical Insurance: Inpatient and outpatient medical care coverage.
• Group Life and Personal Accident Insurance: Life Assurance cover provided by the company.
• End of Service Gratuity: In line with UAE Labor Law, all employees are eligible for an End of Service benefit.
• The Employee Share Plan: Opportunity to purchase Wood shares with company match.
• Long Service Award: Recognition at 5-year service milestones.
• Commitment to continued professional development: Tailored development plans based on individual needs and interests.
• Training and coaching will be provided to develop specialist expertise in project risk management, including qualitative risk assessment, Schedule Risk Analysis (SRA), Cost Risk Analysis (CRA) and Monte Carlo simulation.
• Global connections: Access to experts around the world at the leading edge of the industry.
• Energy Transition Academy: Community of experts sharing knowledge and gaining exposure to existing and emerging energy systems.
• Competitive remuneration package with regular reviews to ensure market-aligned compensation.
• Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion across the business.