Lead Electrical and Instrumentation & Commissioning Engineer

Position Overview

The role of Lead Electrical and Instrumentation & Control (I&C) Engineer focuses on providing technical leadership and expertise in electrical power systems and instrumentation design for oil and gas sector projects. This position encompasses guiding electrical and I&C engineering throughout conceptual design to commissioning, ensuring safety, reliability, and adherence to industry standards in oil and gas facilities.

Key Responsibilities

• Direct all stages of electrical engineering including design, specification, and commissioning of power distribution systems, switchgear, transformers, substations, generators, UPS, and backup power.
• Conduct electrical load, short-circuit, grounding, protective relay, and arc flash hazard analyses ensuring compliance with established codes and best practices.
• Design instrumentation and control architectures involving PLCs, SCADA, DCS, motor control centers, and process automation ensuring functional safety compliance to IEC standards.
• Create detailed electrical documentation such as single-line diagrams, control logic schematics, cable schedules, and technical specifications using CAD tools.
• Lead vendor selection, equipment specification, quality assessment, and shop inspection to ensure supply of high-standard electrical components like motors, drives, and lighting systems.
• Coordinate multidisciplinary engineering efforts to integrate electrical systems with mechanical, process, and civil engineering inputs for optimal system performance.
• Oversee on-site electrical construction, testing, and commissioning including insulation testing, functional validations, and system startups providing field engineering support.
• Implement and enforce rigorous electrical safety practices such as Lockout/Tagout (LOTO), arc flash protection, and regulatory compliance with NFPA, IEC, API, and ASME codes.
• Establish electrical design standards, conduct design audits, manage documentation control, and lead quality assurance activities aligned with company and industry benchmarks.
• Manage electrical project budgets, scheduling, resource allocation, cost estimations, and initiate corrective actions when necessary to maintain project targets.
• Develop operation support materials including training guides, procedures, and maintenance documentation to assist smooth handover and operational readiness.

Required Experience and Expertise

• Over 10 years’ experience in electrical engineering for industrial or oil & gas projects, with minimum 5 years in leadership roles overseeing project engineering or management with budgets exceeding $10 million.
• In-depth knowledge of power systems design including transformers, switchgear, substations and proficiency in PLC, SCADA, DCS control system design and programming.
• Proven capability to lead engineering teams, manage consultants, conduct detailed electrical analyses and support commissioning activities.

Technical Knowledge and Skills

• Excellent grasp of electrical power systems, protective devices, distribution methodologies, and industrial electrical design.
• Advanced understanding of process control, automation systems, instrumentation, and safety standards such as IEC 61508/61511.
• Strong leadership skills in managing multidisciplinary project interfaces and delivering technical engineering management.
• Expertise in electrical CAD software (e.g., EPLAN, ETAP), DCS platforms (e.g., Honeywell, Emerson, Siemens), and analytical tools for load flow, short circuit, protective coordination, and arc flash studies.

Educational Qualifications and Certifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or related field from an accredited university.
• Professional Engineer (PE) license in Electrical Engineering is required or preferred.
• Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering or related discipline is advantageous.
• Project Management Professional (PMP) certification is a plus.
• Additional certifications in control systems, functional safety (e.g., TÜV), and SCADA systems are highly valued.

Competencies and Personal Attributes

• Deliver technically robust, safe and efficient electrical and instrumentation designs.
• Lead and mentor engineering teams and maintain design standards and best practices.
• Ensure electrical safety and reliability in line with regulatory requirements.
• Demonstrate functional safety expertise and apply safety-critical control system principles.
• Foster collaboration among multi-disciplined engineering teams for integrated solutions.
• Provide expert support during commissioning, start-up, and operational transitions.
• Communicate complex technical concepts effectively across diverse stakeholders.