Function: Technical Services
Department: Engineering & Projects
Location: Oman – Duqm
Reporting to: VP Technical Services
Budget control: OPEX and/or CAPEX and/or Revenue amount as relevant
Direct reports:
JOB PURPOSE
Lead and manage refinery engineering, capital projects, modifications, and technical assurance activities to ensure safe, reliable, efficient, and cost-effective operation of refinery assets. Oversee the full project lifecycle from concept development and feasibility studies through design, execution, commissioning, and handover while ensuring compliance with applicable engineering standards, regulatory requirements, and refinery business objectives.
The position will act in accordance with OQ8’s Mission, Vision, Values & Strategies, as well as policies, guidelines and international standards, supported by an IT technology platform, HSE standards, Oman’s government and other legal requirements, and best international practices in consonance with national objectives.
MAIN TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Engineering Management
• Lead refinery engineering activities covering process, mechanical, piping, civil, structural, electrical, instrumentation, automation, and reliability engineering disciplines.
• Provide technical support for plant operations, maintenance, troubleshooting, and performance optimization.
• Ensure compliance with refinery engineering standards, international codes, regulatory requirements, and Management of Change (MOC) processes.
• Review and approve engineering designs, technical specifications, calculations, drawings, and contractor deliverables.
• Identify and implement process improvement, debottlenecking, energy efficiency, emissions reduction, and operational excellence initiatives.
• Conduct technical studies, feasibility assessments, and engineering evaluations to support business and operational objectives.
Projects Management
• Develop and execute CAPEX projects, brownfield modifications, plant upgrades, debottlenecking projects, reliability improvement initiatives, and strategic investment programs.
• Manage project portfolios including scope, schedule, cost, quality, procurement, risks, construction, commissioning, and handover.
• Ensure projects are delivered safely, on schedule, within approved budgets, and aligned with refinery business objectives.
• Lead feasibility studies, Front-End Engineering Design (FEED), detailed engineering, contractor selection, and project execution activities.
• Monitor project performance through KPIs, progress reporting, forecasting, and project governance processes.
Technical Excellence & Continuous Improvement
• Lead root cause investigations for significant operational and equipment performance issues.
• Support refinery turnaround and shutdown planning by providing engineering expertise and technical evaluations.
• Drive technology adoption, digitalization, process optimization, and innovation initiatives.
• Identify opportunities to improve plant performance, energy utilization, reliability, production capacity, and operating costs.
• Ensure technical documentation, engineering records, standards, and drawings remain current and properly controlled.
Contract & Stakeholder Management
• Manage engineering consultants, EPC contractors, service providers, and vendors.
• Review technical bids and support contractor selection processes.
• Coordinate engineering and project activities with Operations, Maintenance, HSSE, Supply Chain, and Finance functions.
• Liaise with regulatory authorities, technology licensors, engineering consultants, and external stakeholders as required.
Budget & People Management
• Develop and manage engineering and project budgets, CAPEX plans, and long-term investment programs.
• Lead, mentor, and develop multidisciplinary engineering and project teams.
• Foster a culture of safety, innovation, accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
KEY INTERACTIONS
Internal: OMT, HSSE, SCM, Finance, Turnaround Teams, Executive Leadership Team, Information Technology / Digital Teams.
External: EPC Contractors, Engineering Consultants, Technology Licensors, Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), Regulatory Authorities, Utility Providers, Industry Associations and Technical Networks.
NOTABLE WORKING CONDITIONS
Field operations and office environment. Moderate to intensive computer screen use.
EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS
Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical, Chemical, Electrical, Instrumentation, Industrial, or Process Engineering or a related discipline.
LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS
Excellent knowledge of reading, written and spoken English (required).
BACKGROUND AND EXPERIENCE
• 14 years of experience.
• Relevant experience in Engineering, Projects & Technical Services in a similar role or leadership role within Oil & Gas (refining, petrochemical, oil & gas, LNG, or other complex hydrocarbon processing industries).
• Proven track record in delivering brownfield projects, plant modifications, debottlenecking initiatives, capacity expansion projects, technology upgrades, and capital investment programs from concept through commissioning and handover.
• Extensive experience in engineering design review, technical assurance, process optimization, operational troubleshooting, and Management of Change (MOC) within a refinery environment.
• Demonstrated success in managing CAPEX portfolios, project budgets, schedules, resources, contractors, and engineering consultants, ensuring delivery of projects within approved cost, quality, and timeline objectives.
• Strong experience supporting refinery operations through technical studies, feasibility assessments, root cause investigations, performance improvement initiatives, and operational excellence programs.
• Practical knowledge of FEED, detailed engineering, EPC/EPCM project execution models, commissioning, start-up, and performance testing of refinery facilities and infrastructure.
• Experience in applying relevant international engineering standards and industry codes, including API, ASME, NFPA, IEC, ISA, and applicable regulatory requirements.
• Proven ability to engage and influence senior stakeholders, manage cross-functional teams, and build effective relationships with technology licensors, contractors, regulatory authorities, and external service providers.
• Experience leading organizational improvement initiatives, fostering innovation, developing engineering talent, and implementing best practices that enhance refinery safety, reliability, efficiency, and business performance.
COMPETENCIES AND SKILLS
• Strategic Thinking
• Leadership & People Development
• Decision Making
• Business Acumen
• Stakeholder Management
• Problem Solving
• Results Orientation
• Communication & Influencing Skills
• Change Management
• Continuous Improvement Mindset
• Refinery Process Technology
• Project Management & Execution
• Front-End Engineering Design (FEED)
• Mechanical & Process Engineering
• Reliability & Maintenance Engineering
• Management of Change (MOC)
• Risk Assessment & HAZOP
• Root Cause Analysis (RCA)
• Turnaround & Shutdown Management
• Contract & Vendor Management
• Budgeting & CAPEX Management
• Engineering Standards & Codes (API, ASME, ASTM, IEC, NFPA)
