Lead Engineer, Electrical

About the Role
The Lead Engineer, Electrical provides advanced technical expertise and leadership in the design, analysis, and integrity assurance of electrical systems critical to safe, reliable, and efficient operations within the Engineering function. This role is accountable for delivering high-quality engineering solutions, ensuring compliance with industry standards, regulatory requirements, and company specifications, while optimizing system performance and lifecycle value. As a senior technical authority, the position drives the development and implementation of robust engineering practices, supports complex project execution, and mitigates technical risks that could impact asset integrity, operational continuity, or business performance. This role enables innovation, standardization, and technical excellence, directly contributing to operational reliability, cost efficiency, and sustainable energy delivery.

The Lead Engineer operates within the individual contribution framework, providing subject matter leadership, influencing engineering decisions across multidisciplinary teams, and aligning electrical systems and solutions with strategic business priorities and long-term asset performance goals. The position adheres to the organization's Mission, Vision, Values & Strategies, along with policies, guidelines, and international standards, supported by an IT Technology platform, QHSE & Energy Management System requirements standards, Omani government and legal justifications, and best international practices in alignment with national objectives.

Main Tasks and Responsibilities

• Lead the technical review and approval of electrical engineering designs, calculations, and specifications for oil and gas facilities to ensure compliance with international standards, company technical practices, and local regulatory requirements.
• Develop and maintain electrical engineering standards, specifications, and design guidelines to ensure consistency, quality, and alignment with industry best practices across all engineering projects.
• Provide expert technical guidance and mentorship to junior and mid-level electrical engineers on complex design challenges, including power systems, high and low voltage distribution, hazardous area classification, and electrical protection systems.
• Review and validate electrical engineering deliverables produced by engineering contractors and third-party consultants, ensuring technical accuracy, constructability, and adherence to project scope and specifications.
• Conduct and oversee power system studies including load flow analysis, short circuit analysis, motor starting studies, harmonic analysis, and protective relay coordination studies using industry-standard software tools.
• Ensure all electrical engineering activities comply with relevant codes and standards such as IEC, IEEE, NEC/NFPA, API, and company-specific technical requirements throughout the project lifecycle.
• Coordinate with multidisciplinary engineering teams (process, instrumentation, mechanical, and civil disciplines) to ensure seamless integration of electrical systems within overall facility design.
• Support the evaluation and technical assessment of electrical equipment and vendor proposals, providing recommendations on equipment selection, specification compliance, and lifecycle cost considerations.
• Participate in hazard identification studies, HAZOP reviews, SIL assessments, and other safety and risk evaluation activities to ensure electrical systems meet safety integrity and operational reliability requirements.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives within the electrical engineering discipline by identifying opportunities to enhance design efficiency, reduce costs, adopt new technologies, and improve engineering workflows.
• Contribute to the development of project execution strategies, engineering man-hour estimates, and resource planning for electrical engineering scope within capital and brownfield projects.
• Monitor and assess emerging electrical technologies, digital solutions, and industry trends relevant to oil and gas operations, and recommend adoption where technically and commercially justified.
• Prepare and review technical reports, engineering studies, and technical queries, ensuring clear documentation and effective communication of engineering decisions and recommendations.
• Support construction, pre-commissioning, and commissioning activities by providing technical clarification, solving field engineering issues, and reviewing as-built documentation for electrical systems.
• Advise project management and engineering leadership on electrical engineering risks, technical deviations, and mitigation strategies to support informed decision-making throughout project phases.
• Ensure proper management of change processes are followed for any modifications to approved electrical engineering designs, maintaining full traceability and documentation integrity.
• Coordinate with asset operations and maintenance teams to provide technical support for operational electrical issues, reliability improvement initiatives, and brownfield modification projects.
• Perform any other duties assigned by the Manager in line with the role's scope and organizational requirements.

Key Interactions
Internal: Collaborate with multidisciplinary engineering teams (process, instrumentation, mechanical, civil), engineering contractors, project management, asset operations and maintenance teams, and engineering leadership to ensure integrated electrical system design, resolve technical issues, and support informed decision-making across project phases.
External: Engineering contractors, Equipment vendors, Third-party consultants, Regulatory authorities

Notable Working Conditions
Office environment and visits to operational sites. Moderate to intensive computer screen use. Site access is subject to applicable medical, security, and HSE requirements.

Education Requirements
Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or a related engineering discipline, and a relevant post-degree qualification. Professional registration or chartership with a recognized engineering institution (e.g., CEng, PE, or equivalent) is preferred.

Language Requirements
Excellent knowledge of written, read, and spoken English is required.

Background and Experience
Competencies and Skills

• Minimum 10 years of relevant experience in electrical engineering with a Bachelor's degree and a relevant post-degree professional qualification, preferably within the Oil & Gas or energy sector.
• Extensive experience in electrical engineering design, review, and assurance for upstream or downstream Oil & Gas facilities, including brownfield and greenfield projects.
• Demonstrated expertise in electrical power systems analysis, including load flow, short circuit, protection coordination, motor starting, and harmonic studies using industry-standard tools such as ETAP or SKM.
• Proven track record of leading electrical engineering deliverables across multiple project phases, from concept and FEED through to detailed design, construction support, and commissioning.
• Strong familiarity with international and industry codes and standards such as IEC, IEEE, NEC, NFPA, API, and relevant national regulatory requirements applicable to hazardous area classifications and electrical installations.
• Experience in specifying, evaluating, and providing technical oversight for major electrical equipment, including HV/MV/LV switchgear, transformers, variable speed drives, UPS systems, and emergency power generation.
• Solid exposure to electrical safety practices, hazardous area classification (IEC 60079 series), and compliance with HSE requirements in Oil & Gas operating environments.
• Experience mentoring and providing technical guidance to junior and mid-level electrical engineers, and coordinating with multidisciplinary engineering teams.
• Familiarity with asset integrity management, reliability-centered maintenance principles, and lifecycle considerations for electrical systems in operating facilities is considered an advantage.

Behavioral Competencies

• Technical Leadership & Influence Without Authority
• Mentoring & Coaching
• Cross-Functional Collaboration & Teamwork
• Effective Written & Verbal Communication
• Analytical Thinking & Complex Problem-Solving
• Stakeholder Management
• Decision-Making Under Uncertainty
• Attention to Detail & Quality Orientation
• Adaptability & Continuous Learning Mindset
• Conflict Resolution & Negotiation

Technical Competencies

• Advanced power system analysis using simulation tools (e.g., ETAP, SKM, PSS/E)
• Expert knowledge of electrical codes & standards (e.g., IEC, IEEE, NEC/NFPA, API)
• HV/MV/LV equipment specification & evaluation (e.g., switchgear, transformers, VSD, UPS)
• Hazardous area classification & compliance per IEC 60079 series standards
• Protective relay coordination, load flow, short circuit & harmonic study expertise
• Proficiency in engineering document management & technical reporting practices
• Working knowledge of asset integrity management & reliability-centered maintenance principles