Engineering Manager - Project Development & Studies

Role Overview

Engineering Manager - Project Development & Studies at Wood PLC, based in Dubai, UAE. This role leads multidisciplinary engineering teams through early-stage project development for major brownfield infrastructure and asset upgrade projects in the Middle East.

Role Purpose

Lead multidisciplinary engineering teams through Concept, Feasibility, Pre-FEED and FEED studies, ensuring technical excellence, managing engineering risk, and developing practical and economically sound solutions that support project investment decisions. Provide engineering leadership through FEED, Detailed Design and execution phases to ensure continuity of design intent and successful project delivery.

Key Responsibilities

Project Development & Studies

• Lead multidisciplinary engineering teams during Concept, Feasibility, Pre-FEED and FEED phases.
• Develop and evaluate engineering solutions, ensuring technical integrity, operability, maintainability and cost effectiveness.
• Oversee the development of engineering philosophies, design basis documents, execution strategies, schedules and cost estimates.
• Provide continuity and leadership through FEED and Detailed Design phases to ensure delivery of fit-for-purpose engineering solutions.

Technical Management & Leadership

• Manage all engineering aspects of assigned projects to ensure technical objectives are achieved within approved scope, budget and schedule.
• Provide engineering leadership and direction to discipline engineers and specialist consultants.
• Coordinate engineering interfaces across multiple disciplines and stakeholders.
• Interface with project management, operations, asset teams and external stakeholders to resolve complex technical issues.
• Promote engineering excellence, innovation, quality and continuous improvement across the project team.

Risk, Compliance & Assurance

• Identify, manage and mitigate technical risks throughout project development and execution.
• Ensure engineering deliverables comply with applicable codes, standards, client specifications and Wood procedures.
• Lead engineering reviews, design workshops, risk assessments and value improvement initiatives.
• Support technical bid evaluations and contractor selection activities where required.

Business Support

• Support proposal development and business growth activities for future project opportunities.

Qualifications & Experience

Essential

• Bachelor's Degree in Chemical Engineering discipline.
• Minimum 20 years of oil and gas industry experience.
• Significant experience in Concept, Feasibility, Pre-FEED and FEED project phases.
• Demonstrated experience in Engineering Management, Study Management or Project Engineering Management roles.
• Proven Front End Loading (FEL) experience including Select, Assess and Define stages.
• Experience managing multidisciplinary engineering teams on complex projects.
• Strong understanding of brownfield modifications and infrastructure upgrade projects.
• Knowledge of international engineering codes, standards and industry best practices.

Preferred

• Strong Process Engineering background.
• Previous Study Manager experience.
• Experience with oil and gas export facilities, pipeline systems and associated infrastructure.
• Experience delivering projects from early concept through Detailed Design and execution.
• Middle East / Iraq project experience.
• Chartered Engineer status or equivalent professional accreditation.
• Experience facilitating HAZID, HAZOP, design reviews and value engineering workshops.

Skills & Competencies

• Excellent communication, leadership and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to influence technical decisions and guide clients through project development activities.
• Strong leadership and team management capability.
• Strategic thinker with excellent problem-solving skills.
• Commercially aware with sound engineering judgement.
• Able to manage competing priorities and complex stakeholder environments.
• Client-focused with strong influencing and relationship-building skills.
• Committed to the highest standards of safety, quality and technical integrity.

Additional Information

Key Accountabilities

• Delivery of high-quality engineering studies and design packages.
• Effective management of project technical risk and engineering change.
• Achievement of project safety, quality, cost and schedule objectives.
• Development and maintenance of strong client and stakeholder relationships.
• Leadership and mentoring of multidisciplinary engineering teams.
• Assurance of engineering compliance with industry standards and best practices.
• Identification and implementation of design optimisation opportunities.
• Support of project decision gate reviews and investment recommendations.