Principal Electrical Engineer

Job Overview

The Principal Electrical Engineer is responsible for interpreting internal or external business issues and recommending best practices. They will be tasked with solving complex Electrical-related problems and will work independently with minimal guidance. The Principal Electrical Engineer may be responsible for leading functional teams or projects and is regarded as a specialist in the field of Electrical. As such, they must have in-depth expertise in Electrical as well as broad knowledge of the Electrical discipline within the Engineering function.

Key Tasks and Responsibilities

Become fully familiar with the project scope of work, specifications, schedule, and all inter-discipline requirements; including identifying concerns as early as practicable and taking appropriate initiatives to address the issues. Interpret contractual requirements as they relate to engineering execution

Identify changes to scope and promptly raise change notifications, including providing any necessary supporting documentation and estimates. Provide similar support for Variation Orders

Interface with all disciplines to develop clash-free designs

Interface with other departments to obtain input for Discipline designs and drawings

Maintain close coordination with other engineering disciplines, SCM, Planning, Fabrication, Marine, and Project Management teams, as required

Document substantive communications (communications that result in significant decisions or assignment of actions) and forward copies to the Discipline Lead Engineer and Discipline Manager. Prepare estimates for bid proposals, including technical query reviews, execution statements, and man-hour estimates, identifying software requirements and any other project-specific requirements. Raise technical queries to obtain missing information, clarify work scope, and maintain preferred McDermott procedures, specifications, standards, practices, and operational requirements

Prepare, review, and (as Lead Engineer) approve Discipline engineering design basis, philosophies, and technical specifications

Participate in finalizing deliverables lists and deliverables, ensuring compliance with specifications and functional integrity

Review project schedule and fabrication schedule in relation to construction sequence, milestones, and engineering scope

Attend project kickoff and review meetings, vendor meetings, engineering meetings, and offshore site surveys, as required

Provide technical direction and review of Designers producing products related to Electrical Engineering

Prepare, review, and (as Lead Engineer) approve design reports and procedures

Assist in providing necessary design inputs to other disciplines to enable them in proceeding with their deliverables

Assist procurement personnel in procuring Discipline equipment, materials, and services; ensuring that work produced complies with Customer objectives and procedures. Procurement assistance includes preparing, reviewing, and (as Lead Engineer) approving requisitions, evaluating technical quotations and preparing queries, compiling bid tabulations and recommendations, preparing purchase requisitions, and coordinating with Procurement to expedite vendor documents, as directed by the Discipline Lead Engineer

Assist in updating weight reports based on receipt of vendor information

Review and (as Lead Engineer) approve vendor and subcontractor submittals, checking for compliance with project specifications and providing comments as necessary

Review and (as Lead Engineer) approve design verification through single discipline check/interdisciplinary check (IDC)

Provide technical support to fabrication queries, including identifying defect/rectification requirements

Keep the Discipline Manager and Project Management Team apprised of all activities and concerns, technical, budgetary, and manpower related

Assist in providing inputs for actual, planning, and forecasting progress reports including associated productivity

Check final subcontractor and vendor data manuals to ensure that all requested data has been received and approved

Present issues and problems to Customers in a timely manner and assist the Lead Engineer in negotiating resolution in accordance with project and company requirements

Perform (as required) Technical Quality Audit reviews in accordance with MDR Global Procedures

Assist Lead Engineer with responses to Customers and other agencies (such as certifying authorities, auditors, third parties, etc.) on their review and approval

Capture lessons learned and entered them into MDR's Lessons Learned system

Guide less experienced engineers on MDR and Discipline procedures, standards, worksheets, design calculations, software, requisitions, technical bid evaluations, technical queries, etc.

Supervise and guide assigned engineers and coordinate with project Lead Designers for Discipline engineering and design deliverable

Responsible for the engineering integrity of the assigned work area

Monitor costs of own work processes

Assist in the maintenance of departmental technical guidelines and standard calculation notes

Participate in the development and maintenance of Global Procedures, Software, and Standards

May participate in standards development committees or task groups such as API

Identify and provide training to staff in specific techniques and proprietary software

Provide information on employee performance to the Discipline Manager

Assist the Discipline manager in interviewing job applicants

Review and (as Lead Engineer) approve material lists, P&ID, etc. for Electrical equipment/systems and services for detailing the scope

Update and (as Lead Engineer) approve specifications and data sheets for Electrical and bulk materials

Review and (as Lead Engineer) approve Electrical system studies/calculations

Prepare, review, and (as Lead Engineer) approve one-line diagrams and schematics diagrams

Prepare, review, and (as Lead Engineer) approve electrical equipment building layout drawings

Prepare, review, and (as Lead Engineer) approve lighting calculations/illumination study for the platform lighting system

Prepare, review, and (as Lead Engineer) approve load lists or update load lists issued by Customer

Coordinate and arrange for equipment inspection, FAT

Participate in FAT & inspection and preparation & resolution of punch lists on the arrival of skid/material

Prepare, review, and (as Lead Engineer) approve spare part lists and preservation reports

Review and (as Lead Engineer) approve Pre-commissioning and commissioning index and provide technical assistance on-site during pre-commissioning and start-up as required

Review and provide input to secondary cable routing (branch cable trays, channel trays, single tubing, etc.) where detailing is not done

Advise fabrication yard of installation locations for small E&I equipment that is not sufficiently detailed in the AFC drawings

Prepare, review, and (as Lead Engineer) approve cable drum schedules

Identify special tools, equipment, and requirements for commissioning and Hook-up

Prepare/review Hook-up installation procedures

Coordinate with vendors for installation and pre-comm/commissioning

Coordinate work content split between onshore fabrication and installation

Review and check the electrical equipment list

Participate in the checking and (as Lead Engineer) approval of key discipline deliverables such as:

All electrical studies using approved software

C&E chart and ESD logic diagrams

Specifications, Datasheets, Requisitions, TBEs

• SLD, Interconnection, and trouble-shooting drawings
• Hazardous area classification drawings
• Instrument and F&G detector layout
• Electrical Load list
• Lighting calculations & lighting layout
• Error log reports
• Participate in HAZOP and SIL Studies
• Provide E&I input to pre-comm. activities and offshore hook-ups

Reports to

• Functional: Discipline Manager
• Liaise With: All Engineering disciplines, Fabrication Groups, Safety Dept,
• Project Management Team, Document Control, Project Planner, Project Cost Controller, QC and Certification Group, Procurement Group, Subcontractors and Vendors, and Customers

Essential Qualifications and Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or master’s degree
• 18+ years in oil and gas with major contractors or consultants predominantly performing detail design
• Detailed knowledge of design techniques and analysis methods, and detailed knowledge of the theory, content, and application of standards, codes, and guidelines as applicable
• Knowledgeable in project coordination and execution skills
• Develop communication and presentation skills (e.g., write technical papers, participate in conferences and/or seminars, present design solutions, and/or present topics at "lunch and learns"; etc.)
• #LI-SK1