Lead Commissioning Engineer - Electrical & Instrumentation – WHT’s Subsea Cable

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Job Title: Lead Commissioning Engineer - Electrical & Instrumentation (E&I) – WHT’s Subsea Cable

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Job Title: Lead Commissioning Engineer - Electrical & Instrumentation (E&I) – WHT’s Subsea Cable

KBR is growing its Project Management Consultancy (PMC) team for an exciting, high‑profile offshore development in Abu Dhabi. The ADNOC PMC project role would be based initially in Contractors Office/ Fabrication Yard Office in Abu Dhabi for some time  and then will later move to Offshore Site on 6 weeks on/ 3 weeks off rotation.

Job Purpose

The Lead Commissioning Engineer - Electrical & Instrumentation (E&I) is responsible for leading, planning, coordinating, and executing all Electrical and Instrumentation commissioning activities for offshore and onshore Oil & Gas projects. The role ensures the safe and efficient transition of systems from construction completion through pre-commissioning, commissioning, start-up, testing, and operational handover.

The position provides technical leadership for electrical power systems, instrumentation, control systems, telecommunications, safety systems, and integrated automation systems, ensuring compliance with project specifications, client requirements, applicable standards, and HSE regulations.

Key Responsibilities

Commissioning Leadership

• Lead Electrical and Instrumentation commissioning teams throughout project execution.
• Develop commissioning strategies, execution plans, schedules, procedures, and system completion programs.
• Ensure commissioning activities are completed safely, efficiently, and in accordance with project objectives.
• Manage and coordinate commissioning engineers, supervisors, technicians, vendors, and subcontractors.
• Monitor commissioning progress and ensure achievement of project milestones.

Pre-Commissioning Activities

• Lead system walkdowns and Mechanical Completion verification.
• Review and validate construction completion and turnover packages.
• Coordinate cable continuity testing, insulation resistance testing, and loop checking activities.
• Verify system readiness prior to energization.
• Ensure punch lists are identified, tracked, and closed in a timely manner.
• Support preservation and reinstatement of electrical and instrumentation systems.

Electrical Commissioning

Manage commissioning activities for:

• High Voltage (HV), Medium Voltage (MV), and Low Voltage (LV) Systems
• Switchgears and Motor Control Centers (MCCs)
• Power Transformers
• Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) Systems
• Emergency Power Systems
• Diesel Generators
• Cathodic Protection Systems
• Earthing and Lightning Protection Systems
• Electrical Heat Tracing Systems
• Lighting and Small Power Systems
• Offshore Electrical Distribution Networks

Instrumentation & Control Commissioning

Coordinate commissioning activities for:

• Distributed Control Systems (DCS)
• Emergency Shutdown Systems (ESD)
• PLC Systems
• SCADA Systems
• Fire & Gas Detection Systems
• HIPPS and Safety Instrumented Systems (SIS)
• Telecommunications Systems
• Analyzer Systems
• Field Instrumentation
• Control Valves and On-Off Valves
• Metering Systems
• Fiber Optic Communication Systems
• Integrated Control & Safety Systems (ICSS)

Energization & Start-Up

• Prepare system energization plans and startup procedures.
• Lead energization of electrical networks and process control systems.
• Coordinate functional testing and cause-and-effect verification.
• Manage system integration testing and plant operational readiness activities.
• Support start-up, performance testing, and acceptance testing phases.
• Ensure systems perform in accordance with design specifications.

Interface & Coordination

• Coordinate closely with Engineering, Construction, QA/QC, Operations, Vendors, and Client representatives.
• Participate in readiness reviews, commissioning meetings, and management reporting sessions.
• Liaise with package vendors during testing, troubleshooting, and start-up activities.
• Resolve technical issues affecting commissioning progress and operational readiness.
• Coordinate multidisciplinary system handovers.

System Completion & Handover

• Manage Mechanical Completion (MC), Ready for Commissioning (RFC), Ready for Start-Up (RFSU), and Final Handover milestones.
• Review completion dossiers and turnover documentation.
• Ensure proper certification and documentation of commissioning activities.
• Coordinate punch list management and closeout.
• Support project close-out and final acceptance activities.

HSE Responsibilities

• Ensure full compliance with project HSE requirements and company procedures.
• Lead commissioning risk assessments, SIMOPS reviews, and job safety analyses.
• Ensure implementation of Permit-to-Work (PTW), LOTO, and electrical isolation procedures.
• Promote a strong safety culture across all commissioning activities.
• Participate in incident investigations and corrective action implementation.

Quality Assurance

• Ensure all testing and commissioning activities comply with approved procedures and standards.
• Review commissioning records, test reports, and certification documents.
• Support internal audits, client audits, and regulatory inspections.
• Verify accuracy and completeness of as-built and handover documentation.
• Ensure all systems meet quality and operational performance requirements.

Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering, Instrumentation Engineering, Electrical & Electronics Engineering, or related discipline.

Preferred Certifications

• PMP Certification
• BOSIET/HUET (Offshore Projects)
• Functional Safety (IEC 61511) Certification
• CompEx Certification
• NEBOSH or Equivalent HSE Qualification
• Commissioning Management Certification (Preferred)

Experience

• Minimum 18-22  years of experience in Electrical & Instrumentation Commissioning within Oil & Gas, Offshore, LNG, Petrochemical, Refining, or EPC/EPCI projects.
• Minimum 5 years in a Lead Commissioning or Senior Commissioning Engineering role.
• Proven experience in commissioning:
  • Offshore Platforms and Topsides
  • Wellhead Towers (WHTs)
  • Jackets and Bridges
  • Substations
  • Utility Facilities
  • Process Plants
  • Brownfield Modifications and Tie-Ins
  • Control and Safety Systems
• Experience in pre-commissioning, commissioning, start-up, and operational handover phases.
• Previous experience with ADNOC, Saudi Aramco, QatarEnergy, PDO, or major international operators is preferred.