Lead Automation & Controls Engineer

JOB DESCRIPTION & REQUIREMENTS
We are presently looking for experienced candidates to take on a short contract assignment as a LEAD AUTOMATION & Controls Engineer for an offshore development project. The role will incorporate both the technical engineering responsibilities and with some project planning/control duties.

Engineering & Design

• Lead and execute Automation, ICSS, SIS, F&G, and ESD engineering activities for FPSO topside and marine systems.
• Develop and review automation system architectures, control narratives, cause and effect matrices, I/O lists, network diagrams, and system interface documentation.
• Review and validate instrumentation and automation design deliverables including data sheets, loop diagrams, interconnection diagrams, panel layouts, and control system specifications.
• Ensure compliance with project requirements, applicable codes, standards, hazardous area classifications, and client specifications.
• Coordinate and interface with Process, Mechanical, Electrical, Telecom, Marine, Construction, and Commissioning disciplines.

• Develop, maintain, analyze, and optimize project schedules using planning tools.
• Monitor engineering, procurement, construction, commissioning, and startup activities against approved project schedules.
• Perform critical path analysis, schedule risk assessments, progress forecasting, and recovery planning.
• Generate and review daily, weekly, and monthly progress reports, KPIs, S-Curves, manpower histograms, and management dashboards.
• Identify schedule deviations, risks, bottlenecks, and potential delays, and present findings and mitigation plans to project management.
• Participate in project planning, progress review, risk management, and coordination meetings.
• Review project performance metrics and ensure progress reporting accurately reflects actual project status.

Project Execution & Commissioning

• Support PLC programming, logic development, HMI configuration, and safety system implementation.
• Supervise FAT, SAT, loop checks, functional testing, integrated system testing, and offshore commissioning activities.
• Coordinate commissioning schedules and ensure alignment between engineering completion, mechanical completion, and startup milestones.
• Monitor and report commissioning progress, punch list status, and system readiness.
• Support construction and commissioning teams in resolving technical and schedule-related issues.

Site Coordination & Operations Support

• Liaise between Automation, Construction, Assembly, and Commissioning teams to ensure activities are executed according to approved schedules and project priorities.
• Monitor site progress and verify execution against planned work sequences and milestones.
• Review reports, schedules, and progress data to identify inconsistencies and provide recommendations for corrective actions.
• Support troubleshooting, system integration, interface testing, and vendor package coordination during commissioning and operational phases.
• Ensure completion of as-built documentation, test records, and project handover documentation in accordance with client and regulatory requirements.

REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelor's Degree in Instrumentation, Electrical, Automation, Control Systems Engineering, or equivalent.
• Minimum 10 years of relevant experience in Automation, ICSS, SIS, F&G, ESD, DCS design, integration, construction, and commissioning within FPSO, Offshore Oil & Gas, or Marine projects.
• Expert understanding of planning software such as Primavera P6, MS Project, and similar scheduling tools.
• Strong knowledge of project management methodologies, including WBS development, project risk management, schedule management, critical path analysis, and PMBOK principles.
• Experience in developing, analyzing, and maintaining integrated engineering, procurement, construction, commissioning, and startup schedules.
• Expert understanding of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), progress measurement systems, S-Curves, Earned Value Management (EVM), and performance reporting.
• Proven experience in FPSO topsides, marine systems, offshore construction, integration, commissioning, and startup activities.
• Strong understanding of industrial automation systems including ICSS, SIS, F&G, ESD, DCS, Instrumentation, and Telecom systems.

• Experience with PLC programming, HMI configuration, safety logic development, and automation network architectures.