Lead Civil/Structural Engineer

Role Overview

Wood PLC is recruiting a Lead Civil/Structural Engineer to join its UAE Business Unit. This is a full-time, office-based role located in Sharjah, UAE, with business trips required.

Company Overview

Wood is a global leader in consulting, engineering and operations for the energy and materials sectors. With 33,000 people in around 50 countries, Wood supports clients across the full asset lifecycle, delivering safe, predictable outcomes while enabling resilient operations and a lower carbon future. Wood forms the Energy & Materials pillar of Sidara—a global partnership uniting leading multidisciplinary engineering, design, and project management companies. Wood is an integral part of operations in Iraq with a 90-year heritage, 10 major contracts and over 850 employees, delivering complex upstream and midstream oil and gas projects with maintenance, modifications and engineering solutions. The organization is committed to decarbonizing existing assets, producing cleaner energy and developing a sustainable national workforce.

Role Purpose

This role exists to contribute to the delivery of engineering excellence through definition and approval of technical scopes, execution of assigned scopes of work, provision of technical expertise to the business, contribution to business growth, and management and supervision of teams and technical specialists on complex oil and gas projects.

Key Responsibilities

Definition and Approval of Technical Scopes

• Assist in establishing project aims and outcomes to contribute to the development of a comprehensive project design.
• Evaluate current procedures and recommend changes to improve the efficiency of planning and scheduling projects.
• Make recommendations on project organization requirements, work methods and procedures and technical innovations by devising practical and economical solutions to problems in own or various engineering disciplines.

Executing Assigned Scopes of Work

• Supervise and participate in delivery of complex engineering tasks.
• Formulate and direct investigations or prototype, model and system studies, evaluating and interpreting the data obtained and recommending practical application of results.
• Contribute to successful project completion by participating in the resolution of issues such as conflicting design requirements, unsuitability of standard materials, and complex coordination requirements.
• Coordinate implementation of design engineering solutions.
• Review project-related documentation to ensure accuracy.
• Supervise complex engineering tasks related to a portion of a major project.
• Assess work against standards, aims and specifications.
• Adhere to and comply with relevant discipline specific procedures and provide feedback for continuous improvement.
• Manage key stakeholders in the execution and delivery of contracted activities.
• Organize, actively participate in and occasionally lead design reviews.
• Participate in incident investigations as required.
• Exercise mature business judgment in devising practical, economical solutions to complex procedures and tasks where diagnostic ability is required.

Providing Technical Expertise

• Provide expert advice on design processes, construction methods and other technical areas.
• Advise on the development of new engineering methods and participate in short and long-range planning.
• Solve problems requiring application of research data in own and allied professional disciplines.
• Perform the role of Technical Authority when appointed to do so.
• Evaluate options and select technical solutions that optimize technical and financial success.
• Act as technical custodian for low to medium value bids and proposals.
• Provide awareness of technical advancements and new ways to serve customer needs.
• Help establish a culture of technical excellence through role modelling and communicating expectations.
• Undertake Technical Bid Evaluation for subcontracted scopes and may have oversight of vendors.

Contributing to Business Growth

• Contribute to business development through regular engagement, relationship building and delivery to clients, as well as seeking opportunities to expand scope of work for Wood.
• Contribute to engineering bids and proposals.

Managing and Supervising Others

• Supervise technical specialists or engineers responsible for complex technical tasks.
• Provide technical guidance and direction to teams of professional and non-professional staff.
• Outline requirements, assign tasks and supervise progress to ensure that targets and specifications are being met.
• Provide technical direction to project team members.
• Provide coaching and mentoring for direct reports.
• Monitor compliance with competence standards.
• Participate in recruitment, selection, transfers and promotion of resources to meet succession and business plans.
• Support the development and retention of motivated and competent people.
• Manage performance of direct reports.
• Support and supervise tasks delegated to direct reports and respective teams.
• Manage and direct resources efficiently and effectively.
• Supervise delivery of subcontracted design engineering.
• Provide appropriate HSSE leadership including compliance with site and office safety requirements and technical and design safety requirements.
• In consultancy business areas, manage multiple small projects with responsibility for cost, risk and resource allocation.

Working Relationships

• Establish effective working relations with colleagues, associates, direct reports and project team members.
• Develop productive, collaborative relationships of trust within and across offices and regions, as well as with functions.
• Share resources and work appropriately, based on the good of the company as a whole.
• Interface with multiple disciplines including project engineers and Proposal groups.
• Confer with engineers, managers and others to discuss projects, prepare documents and modify schedules.
• Facilitate effective communication between various disciplines.
• Establish effective working relations with clients and officials.
• Build relationships with customers to discuss requirements, understand customer needs and apply technical solutions to meet goals.
• Participate in professional organizations to maintain current knowledge of technical innovations.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor of Science (B.S.) or equivalent degree in an Engineering discipline from an accredited university.
• Minimum of 15 years relevant experience in major Brownfield oil and gas projects, including at least 5 years in a similar position.
• Specific experience in Oil and Gas projects across their lifecycle in the GCC region is preferred.
• Pre-FEED and FEED experience is required.
• Detailed Engineering experience is preferred.

Skills & Competencies

• Technically competent in own discipline with commitment to continuous professional development of skills and knowledge according to standards.
• Professional level of knowledge of relevant regulatory framework and legislation.
• Ability to supervise, manage, motivate and mentor technical professionals.
• Multi-discipline knowledge and knowledge of advanced principles and techniques of engineering as well as quality management standards and practices.
• Recognized as a technical expert with ability to develop and mentor more junior staff.
• Ability to execute and oversee project scope, budget and schedule.
• Consistently demonstrate creativity and innovation in finding solutions and alternatives to address complex client requirements.
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills for inter-departmental and external company interactions.
• Ability to diagnose and resolve significant and unusual problems and generate substantial improvements to practices and procedures.
• Agile, with ability to adapt and troubleshoot solutions.
• Ability to broadly interpret principles, theories and concepts of an engineering specialty.
• Possess good knowledge of the various Business Units, Functions, Sectors and services offered within business area, general understanding of other Wood business offerings and some ability to network and connect internal stakeholders.
• In-depth understanding of Wood's business position and commercial objectives, ability to implement and recommend improvements to those commercial objectives.
• Understand and manage technical and commercial risk.
• Solutions-oriented and creative, able to apply process and rigour to deliver quality solutions.
• Compelling communicator both verbally and in written form.
• Good interpersonal and team working skills; build positive relationships with supervisors, subordinates, peers and clients.
• Enthusiastic, conscientious and committed to continuous professional development of self and others.
• High level of awareness and commitment to safety in all aspects of daily work.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Highly motivated and demonstrate personal initiative.
• Possess integrity, strong work ethic, positive attitude and are dependable.
• Adaptable and flexible to the changing needs of projects.

Additional Information

• Full-time employment.
• Medical Insurance: Covers inpatient and outpatient medical care.
• Group Life and Personal Accident Insurance: Company provides Life Assurance cover.
• The Employee Share Plan: Opportunity to purchase Wood shares and receive a match from the company.
• Long Service Award: Recognition at 5-year service milestones to celebrate commitment and loyalty.
• Competitive salary with regular salary reviews to ensure rewarding at the right level in line with the market.
• Commitment to continued professional development with tailored development plans to individual needs and interests.
• Global connections: Opportunity to join experts around the world at the leading edge of the industry, shaping the standards of the profession.
• Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion; Wood is an organization actively committed to diversity and inclusion across its business with employee networks committed to giving all employees a voice.
• Wood is an equal opportunity employer that recognizes the value of a diverse workforce. All suitably qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, colour, age, religion, gender, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, protected veteran status, or other characteristics in accordance with relevant governing laws