Lead Instrumentation & Control Engineer
KBR · Abu Dhabi
Title:
Lead Instrumentation & Control Engineer"Belong, Connect, Grow, with KBR !
The KBR team of teams delivers future-forward science, technology and engineering solutions and mission-critical services that help governments and companies around the world accomplish their most important objectives, while also helping achieve their sustainability goals.
KBR Sustainable Technology Solutions provides holistic and value-added solutions across the entire asset life cycle. These include world-class licensed process technologies, differentiated advisory services, deep technical domain expertise, energy transition solutions, high-end design and engineering capabilities, and smart solutions to optimize planned and operating assets."
Job Description - Lead Instrumentation & Control (I&C) Engineer
Title: Lead Instrumentation & Control Engineer
Company: KBR - Inhouse Engineering
Location: Abu Dhabi, UAE - KBR Office
Key Consideration:
Preference will be given to candidates holding valid OPITO-approved T-BOSIET/BOSIET and H₂S certifications with a minimum validity of six months. The selected candidate will be required to travel ADNOC offshore on a rotational basis to conduct site surveys, support brownfield assessments, verify existing installations, and obtain project-specific engineering data necessary for design and execution.
Job Purpose
- Lead, direct, and oversee all Instrumentation & Control (I&C) engineering activities for onshore and offshore oil & gas developments across the full project lifecycle, including Concept Studies, FEED, and Detailed Engineering.
- Serve as the discipline technical authority, providing engineering leadership to ensure the delivery of safe, reliable, maintainable, and cost-effective I&C solutions that comply with client requirements, applicable standards, project schedules, and quality expectations. Act as the focal point for instrumentation, automation, control systems, and functional safety matters while facilitating effective multidisciplinary coordination.
Key Responsibilities
- Function as the Lead Engineer accountable for all Instrumentation & Control engineering deliverables, technical integrity, and discipline team performance.
- Develop and implement discipline execution strategies, engineering work plans, resource forecasts, and project deliverable schedules.
- Lead and mentor a team of engineers and designers, ensuring consistency, quality, and compliance across all engineering activities.
- Interface effectively with Project Management, Engineering Management, Clients, Operations teams, and Vendors to achieve successful project delivery.
- Review, approve, and monitor engineering deliverables prepared by discipline team members, consultants, and subcontractors.
- Support proposal preparation, technical bid evaluations, manpower estimation, cost forecasting, and discipline planning activities.
- Lead brownfield modification projects, debottlenecking studies, facility upgrades, and control system migration initiatives for both offshore and onshore assets.
- Conduct offshore and onshore site surveys, field verification activities, data collection, constructability assessments, and brownfield feasibility reviews.
- Develop scopes of work for site surveys, shutdown campaigns, tie-ins, plant modifications, and control system enhancement projects.
- Assess operational constraints and develop practical engineering solutions that minimize production impacts and optimize shutdown durations.
- Participate in offshore campaigns, Factory Acceptance Tests (FAT), Site Acceptance Tests (SAT), commissioning, start-up, and troubleshooting activities as required.
- Provide technical leadership in the preparation, review, and approval of all Instrumentation & Control engineering deliverables, including instrument indexes, I/O lists, datasheets, specifications, requisitions, technical bid evaluations, cable schedules, control philosophies, system architecture documents, and engineering drawings throughout all project phases.
- Coordinate and participate in OEM control system adequacy assessments and review and approve adequacy study reports.
- Lead Functional Safety lifecycle activities in compliance with IEC 61508 and IEC 61511 requirements.
- Develop, review, and approve Safety Requirement Specifications (SRS).
- Participate in SIL determination, verification, and validation studies.
- Review Safety Instrumented Functions (SIFs) and verify performance and reliability requirements.
- Ensure implementation and closure of recommendations arising from HAZID, HAZOP, SIL, LOPA, CHAZOP, cybersecurity, and other risk assessment studies.
- Support independent Functional Safety Assessments (FSA), audits, and regulatory compliance reviews.
- Ensure full compliance with ADNOC specifications, standards, and project-specific requirements.
- Interpret and apply relevant international codes and standards, including IEC, ISA, API, IEEE, NFPA, NACE, ISO, and ATEX/IECEx requirements.
- Perform, review, and verify design calculations for control valves, flow elements, thermowells, relief valves, and associated instrumentation systems as applicable.
- Facilitate design reviews, technical assurance activities, and value engineering initiatives to optimize project outcomes.
- Ensure maintainability, operability, reliability, lifecycle performance, and asset integrity considerations are embedded within the design.
- Coordinate closely with Process, Mechanical, Piping, Electrical, Telecommunications, and other engineering disciplines to ensure seamless integration of design solutions.
- Monitor discipline progress against approved schedules, budgets, and project milestones.
- Identify technical and execution risks and implement effective mitigation strategies.
- Support project planning, forecasting, progress reporting, and resource management activities.
- Lead interdisciplinary design reviews, technical workshops, and engineering resolution meetings.
- Provide technical support during procurement, construction, commissioning, pre-commissioning, and start-up phases.
- Ensure timely resolution of technical issues and effective implementation of Management of Change (MOC) processes.
- Liaise with Clients, Vendors, OEMs, and third-party stakeholders to ensure technical compliance and resolve engineering challenges.
- Ensure adherence to QA/QC procedures, engineering standards, calibration philosophies, datasheet quality requirements, and procurement documentation standards.
- Maintain awareness of emerging I&C technologies, digitalization initiatives, and industry best practices, promoting innovative and value-enhancing solutions where appropriate.
Experience
- Minimum 17+ years of Instrumentation & Control engineering experience in Oil & Gas, Petrochemical, LNG, or Energy sectors.
- Minimum 8 to 10 years in a Lead Engineer, Senior Lead Engineer, or equivalent leadership capacity.
- Demonstrated experience delivering both offshore and onshore brownfield and greenfield projects.
- Extensive working knowledge of ADNOC Group projects, engineering practices, and technical standards.
- Proven experience across FEED, Detailed Engineering, EPC, PMC, Construction, and Commissioning environments.
- Strong exposure to offshore production facilities, wellhead platforms, central processing facilities, and related infrastructure.
- Experience leading control system migration, modernization, and digital transformation projects is highly desirable.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Instrumentation or Electronics & Communication Engineering, or equivalent.
- Professional certifications in Instrumentation, Automation, Functional Safety, or related areas (e.g., ISA, TUV FSE, EXIDA, IEC certifications) will be considered an advantage.
Technical Skills
- Strong expertise in the design, specification, and implementation of Instrumentation & Control systems and Safety Instrumented Systems (SIS).
- In-depth knowledge of hazardous area classification, equipment selection, certification requirements (IECEx/ATEX), and installation practices for hazardous zones.
- Comprehensive understanding of international standards including API, IEC, ISA, ISO, IEEE, NFPA, NACE, BS EN, and operator-specific standards such as ADNOC requirements.
- Extensive experience with DCS, ESD, FGS, PLC, RTU, SCADA, telecommunications interfaces, and field instrumentation systems.
- Thorough understanding of FEED and Detailed Engineering deliverables, document management systems, MOC processes, and project controls.
- Proficiency in industry-standard I&C engineering software and applications, including AVEVA Instrumentation, SPI, INSTRUCALC, and related tools.
- Strong analytical, problem-solving, troubleshooting, and technical decision-making capabilities.
- Excellent leadership, communication, stakeholder management, and organizational skills.
What We Offer:
- Opportunities for professional development and career advancement.
- Engaging and collaborative work environment with a commitment to safety and sustainability.