Engineering Manager - Project Development & Studies

Wood is currently recruiting for an Engineering Manager - Project Development & Studies with extensive experience in the oil and gas industry to support the development and delivery of major brownfield infrastructure and asset upgrade projects in the Middle East. This role will be based in Dubai, UAE.

Job Description

This role will lead multidisciplinary engineering teams through the early stages of project development, including Concept, Feasibility, Pre-FEED and FEED studies. The successful candidate will be responsible for ensuring technical excellence, managing engineering risk, coordinating stakeholder interfaces, and developing practical and economically sound solutions that support project investment decisions.

The role will also provide engineering leadership through FEED, Detailed Design and subsequent execution phases, ensuring continuity of design intent and successful project delivery.

A strong process engineering background or previous Study Manager experience is highly desirable, together with proven Front End Loading (FEL) experience and a thorough understanding of brownfield development projects.

Responsibilities

• Manage all engineering aspects of assigned projects to ensure technical objectives are achieved within approved scope, budget and schedule.
• Lead multidisciplinary engineering teams during Concept, Feasibility, Pre-FEED and FEED phases.
• Develop and evaluate engineering solutions, ensuring technical integrity, operability, maintainability and cost effectiveness.
• Provide engineering leadership and direction to discipline engineers and specialist consultants.
• Coordinate engineering interfaces across multiple disciplines and stakeholders.
• Ensure engineering deliverables comply with applicable codes, standards, client specifications and Wood procedures.
• Identify, manage and mitigate technical risks throughout project development and execution.
• Lead engineering reviews, design workshops, risk assessments and value improvement initiatives.
• Oversee the development of engineering philosophies, design basis documents, execution strategies, schedules and cost estimates.
• Support technical bid evaluations and contractor selection activities where required.
• Interface with project management, operations, asset teams and external stakeholders to resolve complex technical issues.
• Promote engineering excellence, innovation, quality and continuous improvement across the project team.
• Provide continuity and leadership through FEED and Detailed Design phases to ensure delivery of fit-for-purpose engineering solutions.
• Support proposal development and business growth activities for future project opportunities.

Key Accountabilities

• Delivery of high-quality engineering studies and design packages.
• Effective management of project technical risk and engineering change.
• Achievement of project safety, quality, cost and schedule objectives.
• Development and maintenance of strong client and stakeholder relationships.
• Leadership and mentoring of multidisciplinary engineering teams.
• Assurance of engineering compliance with industry standards and best practices.
• Identification and implementation of design optimisation opportunities.
• Support of project decision gate reviews and investment recommendations.

Qualifications

Essential

• Bachelor's Degree in Chemical Engineering discipline.
• Minimum 20 years of oil and gas industry experience.
• Significant experience in Concept, Feasibility, Pre-FEED and FEED project phases.
• Demonstrated experience in Engineering Management, Study Management or Project Engineering Management roles.
• Proven Front End Loading (FEL) experience including Select, Assess and Define stages.
• Experience managing multidisciplinary engineering teams on complex projects.
• Strong understanding of brownfield modifications and infrastructure upgrade projects.
• Knowledge of international engineering codes, standards and industry best practices.
• Excellent communication, leadership and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to influence technical decisions and guide clients through project development activities.

Preferred

• Strong Process Engineering background.
• Previous Study Manager experience.
• Experience with oil and gas export facilities, pipeline systems and associated infrastructure.
• Experience delivering projects from early concept through Detailed Design and execution.
• Middle East / Iraq project experience.
• Chartered Engineer status or equivalent professional accreditation.
• Experience facilitating HAZID, HAZOP, design reviews and value engineering workshops.

Personal Attributes

• Strong leadership and team management capability.
• Strategic thinker with excellent problem-solving skills.
• Commercially aware with sound engineering judgement.
• Able to manage competing priorities and complex stakeholder environments.
• Client-focused with strong influencing and relationship-building skills.
• Committed to the highest standards of safety, quality and technical integrity.