Principal Mechanical Engineer

About the Role
The Principal Mechanical Engineer SME (Rotating Equipment) serves as the technical authority for rotating equipment and machinery systems across the company contracts for upstream and downstream projects. This role provides specialist expertise in the selection, design, specification, procurement, reliability, troubleshooting, commissioning, operation, maintenance, and lifecycle management of rotating equipment, including mega and high-capacity pumps, compressors, steam turbines, gas turbines, high-voltage motors, and large driver trains.

Responsibilities

• Mechanical Engineering Leadership

  • Lead mechanical engineering design and execution activities for major projects.
  • Provide technical direction and guidance to engineers and designers.
  • Review and approve engineering calculations, studies, specifications, and equipment selections.
  • Lead design reviews, technical audits, peer reviews, and engineering assurance activities.
  • Mentor and develop discipline engineers and technical specialists.

• Project Delivery

  • Manage discipline scope, schedule, cost, quality, and resource requirements.
  • Support project planning, forecasting, progress reporting, and change management activities.
  • Ensure engineering deliverables are completed within project milestones.
  • Identify project risks and develop mitigation strategies.
  • Drive achievement of project objectives and client expectations.

• Multidisciplinary Coordination

  • Coordinate engineering activities with Process, Piping, Civil, Structural, Electrical, Instrumentation, Procurement, Construction, and Operations teams.
  • Experienced in brownfield modifications, debottlenecking, capacity expansion, and technology upgrades.
  • Lead interdisciplinary design reviews and technical coordination meetings.
  • Resolve engineering conflicts and technical interface issues.
  • Ensure mechanical design integration across all project disciplines.

• Key Accountabilities

  • Lead mechanical discipline engineering execution on assigned projects.
  • Ensure technical accuracy, compliance, and quality of mechanical engineering deliverables.
  • Support business development, proposals, and technical bid activities.
  • Manage engineering risks and technical decisions.
  • Maintain discipline performance, productivity, and client satisfaction.
  • Support development of engineering standards and best practices.

• Technical Knowledge

  • Expert knowledge of rotating equipment, static equipment, packaged systems, and utility systems.
  • Strong understanding of equipment reliability, maintainability, integrity, and lifecycle management.
  • Thorough knowledge of ASME, API, ASTM, ISO, NFPA, and international engineering standards.
  • Familiarity with company Engineering Standards and specifications.
  • Experience with brownfield modifications and greenfield facility development.

• Project Execution

  • Lead mechanical discipline execution from Conceptual Design through FEED, Detailed Engineering, Procurement, Construction, Commissioning, and Startup.
  • Manage discipline resources and engineering workshare activities.
  • Ensure compliance with project execution plans and engineering procedures.
  • Support schedule recovery plans and critical issue resolution.
  • Provide leadership during project reviews and gate approvals.

• Project Deliverables

  • Design Basis.
  • Mechanical specifications and standards.
  • Equipment datasheets and requisitions.
  • Technical bid evaluations and recommendations.
  • Engineering calculations, studies, and reports.
  • Vendor document reviews and approvals.
  • Technical deviations, concession requests, and management of change documents.
  • Mechanical input to final turnover and close-out documentation.

• Procurement Support

  • Lead preparation and review of equipment requisitions and procurement packages.
  • Participate in vendor prequalification and selection activities.
  • Lead technical bid evaluations and clarification meetings.
  • Review vendor drawings, calculations, and technical submissions.
  • Participate in factory acceptance tests (FAT) and equipment inspections.
  • Support procurement risk assessment and vendor performance management.

• Site Support (if required)

  • Provide technical leadership during construction, pre-commissioning, commissioning, startup, and turnover.
  • Lead constructability reviews and field issue resolution.
  • Support troubleshooting, performance testing, and operational readiness reviews.
  • Resolve critical technical issues affecting schedule, quality, safety, or operability.
  • Support plant optimization and debottlenecking initiatives.

• Quality, Safety & Compliance

  • Ensure compliance with company procedures, client standards, and statutory requirements.
  • Promote adherence to Quality Assurance, Quality Control, and HSE management systems.
  • Participate in technical risk assessments and safety reviews.
  • Maintain high standards of engineering quality and professional integrity.
  • Champion safe engineering practices and environmental stewardship.

• Professional Development

  • Maintain awareness of industry developments, technologies, and regulatory changes.
  • Promote continuous improvement and lessons-learned initiatives.
  • Mentor Saudi Mechanical Engineers and support competency development programs.
  • Contribute to discipline knowledge-sharing and engineering excellence initiatives.

• Decision Making & Supervision

  • Acts as the technical authority for assigned projects and discipline scope.
  • Makes independent engineering and technical decisions on complex issues.
  • Supervises Mechanical Engineers, Graduate Engineers, Designers, and technical specialists.
  • Reviews and approves engineering deliverables and technical recommendations.
  • Supports competency assessment and performance management of discipline personnel.

• Communication, HSE & People Skills

  • Strong leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
  • Effective client-facing and presentation capabilities.
  • Strong mentoring and coaching abilities.
  • Demonstrated commitment to HSE leadership and safe work practices.
  • Excellent problem-solving, negotiation, conflict resolution, and team-building skills.
  • Ability to thrive in multicultural and multidisciplinary project environments.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering.
• Master's Degree is advantageous.
• Chartered Engineer (CEng), Professional Engineer (PE), or equivalent professional registration preferred.

Minimum Requirements (Experience)

• Mechanical engineering experience with specialization in rotating equipment.
• Extensive experience in FEED, Detailed Engineering, EPC, EPCM, and LSTK projects.
• Significant experience in brownfield, tie-ins, revamps, debottlenecking, and grassroots projects.
• Company project experience preferred.
• Proven experience leading multidisciplinary engineering teams and managing complex project interfaces.

Desirable Experience

• Strong knowledge of company standards and procedures.
• Experience with relevant industry players.

Benefits
We are committed to building a diverse, inclusive, and respectful workplace. This commitment extends to providing opportunities for personal and professional growth, ensuring that the culture within the organization fosters belonging, connection, and innovation. We actively support the transition of our workforce to become experts in today's low carbon energy technology and infrastructure. Join us to explore diverse opportunities and make a sustainable impact.