Operations Readiness & Assurance Engineer

Role Overview

Operations Readiness & Assurance Engineer at Wood PLC. This position is based initially in Abu Dhabi, then moving to site in Habshan, supporting a major ADNOC project in the Oil, Gas & New Energies business.

Company Overview

Wood is a global leader in consulting, engineering and operations for the energy and materials sectors. The Oil, Gas & New Energies business delivers large and complex projects for national and international energy companies. Wood is the market-leading provider of integrated and innovative solutions across oil and gas upstream and midstream, onshore and offshore, gas to liquids, and decarbonization and electrification markets.

Role Purpose

To ensure that all facilities, systems, personnel, and processes are fully prepared for safe, efficient, and reliable start-up and operations by implementing structured Operations Readiness & Assurance processes across all project phases. This role bridges project delivery and asset operations, ensuring seamless handover to ADNOC Operations.

Key Responsibilities

Strategy & Planning

• Support development and implementation of the Operations Readiness & Assurance Plan.
• Define readiness criteria aligned with ADNOC standards and project objectives.
• Establish OR&A philosophy covering people readiness, process readiness, and systems and asset readiness.

Assurance & Stage Gate Reviews

• Coordinate and participate in OR&A stage gate reviews including FEL, detailed engineering, pre-commissioning, and start-up phases.
• Verify readiness against defined criteria before progression to next project phase.
• Conduct readiness assessments, audits, and assurance reviews.

Operational Input into Design

• Ensure operability, maintainability, and safety are embedded during design.
• Review P&IDs and HAZOP/HAZID outcomes.
• Participate in design reviews and constructability assessments.
• Provide operational feedback on accessibility, maintainability, spare parts strategy, and control philosophy.

Procedures & Documentation Readiness

• Prepare project OR&A Plan.
• Coordinate development and validation of operating procedures covering normal, start-up, shutdown, and emergency operations.
• Coordinate development and validation of maintenance procedures.
• Coordinate development and validation of SIMOPS plans.
• Ensure all documentation is complete, approved, and aligned with ADNOC operational standards.

Training & Competency Assurance

• Produce development of training plans and competency frameworks for operations personnel.
• Coordinate classroom and on-the-job training during commissioning phase.
• Coordinate vendor training sessions.
• Coordinate simulator-based training if applicable.
• Verify workforce readiness prior to start-up.

Systems & Asset Readiness

• Ensure all systems are mechanically complete, commissioned, tested, validated, and ready for safe operation.
• Spearhead Pre-Start Up Safety Reviews (PSSRs).
• Track readiness using completions management systems such as WinPCS, ICAPS, and GoTechnology.
• Support system handover and acceptance.

Interface with Commissioning & Start-Up

• Work closely with Commissioning and Start-Up teams to validate system readiness.
• Ensure smooth transition from project to operations.
• Participate in pre-startup safety reviews and start-up planning and execution.

Risk Management & Assurance

• Identify operational risks and ensure mitigation measures are in place.
• Maintain OR&A risk registers and action trackers.
• Ensure compliance with ADNOC HSE standards and international best practices.

Stakeholder Coordination

• Interface with ADNOC Operations teams, EPCM engineering disciplines, and construction and commissioning teams.
• Act as a key link between project execution and end-user operations.

Qualifications & Experience

• Degree in related discipline.
• Minimum 15 years in Oil & Gas EPC/EPCM projects.
• At least 5 years in a supervisory preservation role.
• Experience on major CAPEX projects with ADNOC or equivalent operators preferred.
• Strong understanding of operations readiness frameworks.
• Strong understanding of commissioning and start-up processes.
• Strong understanding of asset lifecycle management.
• Strong understanding of Computerised Maintenance Management Systems (CMMS).
• Familiarity with HAZOP, HAZID, and SIL studies.
• Familiarity with PSSR processes.
• Familiarity with completions and commissioning systems including WinPCS, ICAPS, and GoTechnology.
• Ability to interpret P&IDs, cause and effect diagrams, and process descriptions.

Skills & Competencies

• Strong analytical and assurance mindset.
• Excellent coordination and stakeholder management.
• Robust safety culture.
• Effective communication across technical and operations teams.
• Detail-oriented with structured problem-solving approach.
• Ability to work in fast-paced, multicultural EPCM environments.

Additional Information

• Competitive remuneration package with regular reviews to ensure alignment with market rates.
• Medical Insurance covering inpatient and outpatient medical care.
• Group Life and Personal Accident Insurance.
• End of Service Gratuity in line with UAE Labor Law.
• Employee Share Plan allowing purchase of Wood shares with company match.
• Long Service Award at 5-year service milestones.
• Commitment to continued professional development with tailored development plans.
• Global connections with experts at the leading edge of the industry.
• Energy Transition Academy providing community of experts sharing knowledge on existing and emerging energy systems.
• Wood is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion.