
McDermott International
Senior Principal Instrument & Controls Engineer
- Permanent
- Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
- Experience 20yrs+
Job expiry date: 10/10/2026
Job overview
Date posted
26/08/2026
Location
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Salary
Undisclosed
Compensation
Job description
In this role you will solve unique and complex problems that have a broad impact on the business as a specialist in the field of Instrumentation & Controls at McDermott. You will proactively identify and solve the most complex problems affecting the management and direction of the business, impacting the direction and resource allocation of programs and projects within your discipline. You will perform conceptual, FEED, and detailed analyses and design in line with design basis, project specifications, design codes, and standards, developing creative and innovative solutions that are reliable and cost-effective. When acting as Lead Engineer, you will direct large Instrumentation & Controls Engineering teams, planning, organizing, and directing all aspects of Discipline execution on assigned projects including scope, deliverables, schedule, and manpower resources. You are responsible for maintaining responsibility for progress and productivity, identifying corrective action, and acting as project representative for the Discipline during meetings with the Project Team, Customer discipline lead, and certifying authorities. Your responsibilities include interpreting contractual requirements, identifying scope changes and raising change notifications, and interfacing with all disciplines to develop clash-free designs. You will prepare estimates for bid proposals, review and approve Discipline engineering design basis and technical specifications, and provide technical direction to Designers. In this role you will prepare, review, and approve automation system definitions, ESD logic, cause and effect diagrams, and I&C equipment specifications, participating in HAZOP, SIL, and Classification Studies. You will provide leadership, mentoring, and guidance to other engineers, supervising Senior Instrumentation and Controls Engineers and Instrumentation and Controls Engineers, and assist the Discipline Manager with personnel development and performance evaluations.
Required skills
Key responsibilities
- Perform conceptual, FEED, and detailed analyses and design as per design basis, project specifications, design codes, and standards
- Develop creative and innovative solutions that are reliable and cost-effective for problems and challenges
- Apply expertise to the most complex Instrumentation & Controls problems
- Manage own time to meet objectives and, as Lead Engineer, forecast and plan resource requirements
- Direct large Instrumentation & Controls Engineering teams as Lead Engineer
- Lead the Discipline engineering design of the assigned work area within planned schedule and budget
- Plan, organize, and direct all aspects of Discipline execution including scope, deliverables, schedule, and manpower resources
- Act as project representative for the Discipline during meetings with the Project Team, Customer discipline lead, and certifying authorities
- Interpret contractual requirements as they relate to engineering execution
- Identify changes to scope and promptly raise change notifications with supporting documentation and estimates
- Interface with all disciplines to develop clash-free designs
- Prepare estimates for bid proposals, including technical query reviews and manhour estimates
- Prepare, review, and, as Lead Engineer, approve Discipline engineering design basis, philosophies, and technical specifications
- Attend project kickoff and review meetings, vendor meetings, engineering meetings, and offshore site surveys as required
- Provide technical direction and review of Designers producing Instrumentation and Controls Engineering products
- Assist procurement personnel in procuring Discipline equipment, materials, and services
- Review and, as Lead Engineer, approve vendor and subcontractor submittals for compliance with project specifications
- Prepare, review, and, as Lead Engineer, approve automation system definitions, ESD logic, cause and effect diagrams, and F&G logic
- Review and, as Lead Engineer, approve specifications and data sheets for Instrumentation & Controls equipment
Experience & skills
- Hold a Bachelor's Degree in Electrical, or Electronics and Instrumentation Engineering, with a Master's Degree preferred
- Bring 20 or more years of experience in oil and gas with major contractors or consultants predominantly performing detail design
- Be preferably a Registered Professional Engineer or member of a professional engineering society
- Demonstrate detailed knowledge of design techniques and analysis methods, and detailed knowledge of relevant standards, codes, and guidelines
- Show knowledge in project coordination and execution skills
- Be recognized across the company as a key leader, highly innovative designer, or highly skilled analyst
- Demonstrate good communication and presentation skills, including published technical papers, conference participation, or capability presenting design solutions