Principal I and C Engineer - Automation
Posted date [2026-07-07]
(ID: 47683)
McDermott is a global engineering and construction company delivering advanced solutions for the energy sector. The company focuses on transforming energy resources into essential products through innovative, technology-driven approaches across the full project lifecycle, from concept to decommissioning. With operations in more than 30 countries, McDermott combines a skilled workforce, specialized marine assets, and international fabrication capabilities to support large-scale energy projects. The organization plays a key role in developing efficient, reliable, and sustainable energy infrastructure worldwide.... |
Job Description and Requirements
Principal I and C Engineer - AutomationJob Snapshot
Role: Principal I and C Engineer - Automation
Location: Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Industry: Oil and Energy
Function: Instruments and Controls
Experience: 15-20 years in oil and gas instrumentation and controls engineering, detailed design, or engineering leadership
Job Type: Full-time
Position Overview
Principal I and C Engineer - Automation in Dubai, United Arab Emirates is an Oil and Energy opportunity for a senior instrumentation and controls engineering specialist who can lead detailed design, automation system definition, safety logic, technical reviews, procurement support, discipline execution, and project engineering coordination. This role is suited for an experienced engineer with deep knowledge of I and C design, FEED, detailed engineering, control systems, ESD, fire and gas logic, HAZOP, SIL, vendor documentation, and multidisciplinary oil and gas project delivery.
Job Details
Country: United Arab Emirates
City: Dubai
Industry:
Oil and Energy
Function: Instruments and Controls
Salary: 38000-55000
Estimated salary range based on similar jobs in the job city; please confirm the final offer with the employer.
Gender: Any
Candidate Nationality: Any
Job Type: Full-time
Role Context
The Principal I and C Engineer provides specialist engineering leadership for instrumentation, controls, automation, and safety system deliverables across complex oil and gas projects. The role converts project requirements into technically sound design bases, philosophies, specifications, calculations, system architecture, equipment data sheets, testing procedures, and procurement packages. By leading discipline teams, coordinating with other engineering functions, resolving design issues, supporting audits, and guiding less experienced engineers, this position strengthens engineering integrity, improves interface control, protects project schedules, and supports safe construction, pre-commissioning, and commissioning readiness.
Key Responsibilities
* Perform conceptual, FEED, and detailed instrumentation and controls engineering analyses and design in line with design basis, project specifications, design codes, and standards.
* Apply advanced discipline knowledge to solve complex engineering problems, nonstandard technical situations, and project execution challenges.
* Prepare clear design calculations, technical analyses, design reports, procedures, and supporting documentation.
* Manage assigned work priorities, meet objectives, and plan resource requirements when acting as Lead Engineer.
* Communicate difficult technical concepts clearly and influence stakeholders to adopt suitable engineering solutions.
* Lead medium or large engineering teams when assigned as Lead Engineer.
* Direct discipline engineering design for assigned work areas within approved schedule, budget, standards, project procedures, and professional quality expectations.
* Plan, organize, and control discipline execution, including scope, deliverables, schedule, manpower allocation, and engineering priorities.
* Ensure discipline interfaces, deliverables, responsibilities, and technical requirements are clearly identified and controlled.
* Maintain responsibility for progress, productivity, and corrective actions related to assigned engineering work.
* Represent the instrumentation and controls discipline in meetings with project teams, customer discipline leads, certifying authorities, auditors, third parties, and relevant agencies.
* Review project scope of work, specifications, schedules, inter-discipline requirements, and execution constraints to identify concerns early.
* Interpret contractual requirements related to engineering execution and support project compliance.
* Identify changes to scope, raise change notifications, and provide supporting documentation and estimates.
* Support variation orders with technical input, scope evaluation, and engineering estimates.
* Coordinate with all disciplines to support clash-free design development.
* Interface with planning, fabrication, marine, procurement, safety, document control, cost control, certification, project management, subcontractors, vendors, and customers.
* Document substantive communications that result in significant decisions or assigned actions.
* Prepare bid proposal inputs, technical query reviews, execution statements, manhour estimates, software requirements, and project-specific discipline requirements.
* Raise technical queries to clarify work scope, obtain missing information, and maintain preferred company procedures, specifications, standards, and operating practices.
* Prepare, review, and approve discipline design basis, philosophies, technical specifications, and design procedures when acting as Lead Engineer.
* Participate in deliverables list finalization and verify functional integrity and specification compliance.
* Review project and fabrication schedules against construction sequence, milestones, and engineering scope.
* Attend kickoff meetings, design reviews, vendor meetings, engineering coordination meetings, and offshore site surveys when required.
* Provide technical direction and design review support to designers producing instrumentation and controls deliverables.
* Provide design inputs to other disciplines so their deliverables can proceed without delay.
* Support procurement activities by preparing and reviewing requisitions, technical quotations, queries, bid tabulations, recommendations, purchase requisitions, and vendor document follow-up.
* Review and approve vendor and subcontractor submittals for compliance with project specifications.
* Support design verification through single-discipline checks and inter-discipline checks.
* Provide technical support for fabrication queries, including defect identification and rectification requirements.
* Keep discipline management and project management informed of technical, budgetary, manpower, schedule, and productivity concerns.
* Check final subcontractor and vendor data manuals to ensure required information has been received, reviewed, and approved.
* Present issues to customers in a timely manner and support negotiated resolution in line with project and company requirements.
* Perform technical quality audit reviews according to company procedures.
* Respond to customer, certifying authority, auditor, and third-party review comments when required.
* Capture lessons learned and enter them into the company lessons learned system.
* Guide less experienced engineers on procedures, standards, worksheets, calculations, software, requisitions, technical bid evaluations, and technical queries.
* Supervise assigned engineers and coordinate with project lead designers on discipline engineering and design deliverables.
* Monitor costs of assigned work processes and support departmental technical guideline maintenance.
* Participate in development and maintenance of global procedures, software, standards, and technical practices.
* Support standards development committees or task groups such as API when required.
* Prepare, review, and approve automation system definitions, including philosophies, specifications, safety drawings, and system architecture.
* Prepare, review, and approve ESD logic, cause and effect diagrams, fire and gas logic, and related safety system documentation.
* Review and approve specifications, data sheets, spare parts lists, testing procedures, and P and ID inputs for instrumentation and controls equipment.
* Attend instrumentation and controls equipment FATs when required.
* Participate in HAZOP, SIL, and classification studies and assist in closing action items.
* Provide construction, pre-commissioning, commissioning, and automation testing support as required.
* Lead discipline teams during internal, customer, and third-party technical audits and design reviews when assigned.
* Review customer and agency comments on discipline documents and drawings, resolve concerns, and guide updates.
* Assist with quarterly forecasts, manpower planning, staff needs, performance evaluation input, and interviews for discipline job applicants.
Ideal Profile
* Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Electronics Engineering, Instrumentation Engineering, or Electronics and Instrumentation Engineering.
* Master’s degree is preferred.
* 15-20 years of oil and gas experience with major contractors or consultants, mainly in detailed instrumentation and controls design.
* Registered Professional Engineer status or membership in a professional engineering society is preferred.
* Detailed knowledge of instrumentation and controls design techniques, analysis methods, engineering theory, applicable codes, standards, and guidelines.
* Strong experience in conceptual design, FEED, detailed engineering, automation systems, ESD logic, fire and gas logic, cause and effect diagrams, system architecture, and equipment specifications.
* Proven ability to lead engineering teams, manage discipline deliverables, plan manpower, control budgets, and maintain engineering productivity.
* Strong project coordination and execution capability across engineering, procurement, fabrication, marine, construction, commissioning, and customer interfaces.
* Experience preparing and approving design basis documents, philosophies, technical specifications, calculations, reports, procedures, requisitions, bid evaluations, and vendor documentation.
* Practical knowledge of HAZOP, SIL, classification studies, FATs, automation testing, technical audits, and pre-commissioning or commissioning support.
* Ability to identify scope changes, support variation orders, raise technical queries, and resolve customer or third-party comments.
* Strong communication and presentation skills with the ability to explain complex technical issues clearly.
* Ability to mentor senior and developing engineers while maintaining discipline quality and engineering integrity.
* Strong planning, organization, decision-making, and problem-solving skills for complex project situations.
* Comfortable working independently with minimal guidance while leading functional teams or discipline work scopes.
* Strong attention to detail and commitment to safe, compliant, and technically reliable engineering delivery.
Skills Set
* Instrumentation engineering
* Controls engineering
* Automation systems
* FEED engineering
* Detailed design
* Conceptual design
* I and C design basis
* Control system architecture
* ESD logic
* Fire and gas logic
* Cause and effect diagrams
* P and ID markups
* Instrument data sheets
* I and C equipment specifications
* Spare parts lists
* FAT participation
* Automation testing
* HAZOP studies
* SIL studies
* Classification studies
* Technical specifications
* Design calculations
* Design reports
* Engineering procedures
* Inter-discipline checks
* Vendor document review
* Subcontractor submittal review
* Technical bid evaluation
* Purchase requisitions
* Procurement support
* Fabrication query support
* Pre-commissioning support
* Commissioning support
* Technical quality audits
* API standards
* Lessons learned systems
* Project engineering coordination
* Discipline leadership
* Manpower planning
* Progress forecasting
* KPI monitoring
* Change notifications
* Variation order support
* Customer interface
* Certifying authority coordination
* Offshore site surveys
Why Join Us
This role gives a senior instrumentation and controls specialist the opportunity to shape high-value engineering decisions across major oil and energy projects. The position offers leadership exposure across automation, safety systems, detailed design, procurement, vendor coordination, technical audits, construction support, pre-commissioning, and commissioning. It is a strong fit for professionals who want to influence discipline standards, guide engineering teams, and contribute to technically robust project execution from Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
About the Company
McDermott International, Ltd is a global engineering, procurement, construction, installation, and technology company serving the oil and energy sector. The company delivers offshore, subsea, onshore, and energy transition projects across the energy value chain. In Dubai, McDermott International, Ltd offers opportunities for engineering professionals who want to contribute to safe, sustainable, and technically advanced energy infrastructure delivery.
Function: Instruments and Controls
Salary: 38000-55000
Estimated salary range based on similar jobs in the job city; please confirm the final offer with the employer.
Gender: Any
Candidate Nationality: Any
Job Type: Full-time
Role Context
The Principal I and C Engineer provides specialist engineering leadership for instrumentation, controls, automation, and safety system deliverables across complex oil and gas projects. The role converts project requirements into technically sound design bases, philosophies, specifications, calculations, system architecture, equipment data sheets, testing procedures, and procurement packages. By leading discipline teams, coordinating with other engineering functions, resolving design issues, supporting audits, and guiding less experienced engineers, this position strengthens engineering integrity, improves interface control, protects project schedules, and supports safe construction, pre-commissioning, and commissioning readiness.
Key Responsibilities
* Perform conceptual, FEED, and detailed instrumentation and controls engineering analyses and design in line with design basis, project specifications, design codes, and standards.
* Apply advanced discipline knowledge to solve complex engineering problems, nonstandard technical situations, and project execution challenges.
* Prepare clear design calculations, technical analyses, design reports, procedures, and supporting documentation.
* Manage assigned work priorities, meet objectives, and plan resource requirements when acting as Lead Engineer.
* Communicate difficult technical concepts clearly and influence stakeholders to adopt suitable engineering solutions.
* Lead medium or large engineering teams when assigned as Lead Engineer.
* Direct discipline engineering design for assigned work areas within approved schedule, budget, standards, project procedures, and professional quality expectations.
* Plan, organize, and control discipline execution, including scope, deliverables, schedule, manpower allocation, and engineering priorities.
* Ensure discipline interfaces, deliverables, responsibilities, and technical requirements are clearly identified and controlled.
* Maintain responsibility for progress, productivity, and corrective actions related to assigned engineering work.
* Represent the instrumentation and controls discipline in meetings with project teams, customer discipline leads, certifying authorities, auditors, third parties, and relevant agencies.
* Review project scope of work, specifications, schedules, inter-discipline requirements, and execution constraints to identify concerns early.
* Interpret contractual requirements related to engineering execution and support project compliance.
* Identify changes to scope, raise change notifications, and provide supporting documentation and estimates.
* Support variation orders with technical input, scope evaluation, and engineering estimates.
* Coordinate with all disciplines to support clash-free design development.
* Interface with planning, fabrication, marine, procurement, safety, document control, cost control, certification, project management, subcontractors, vendors, and customers.
* Document substantive communications that result in significant decisions or assigned actions.
* Prepare bid proposal inputs, technical query reviews, execution statements, manhour estimates, software requirements, and project-specific discipline requirements.
* Raise technical queries to clarify work scope, obtain missing information, and maintain preferred company procedures, specifications, standards, and operating practices.
* Prepare, review, and approve discipline design basis, philosophies, technical specifications, and design procedures when acting as Lead Engineer.
* Participate in deliverables list finalization and verify functional integrity and specification compliance.
* Review project and fabrication schedules against construction sequence, milestones, and engineering scope.
* Attend kickoff meetings, design reviews, vendor meetings, engineering coordination meetings, and offshore site surveys when required.
* Provide technical direction and design review support to designers producing instrumentation and controls deliverables.
* Provide design inputs to other disciplines so their deliverables can proceed without delay.
* Support procurement activities by preparing and reviewing requisitions, technical quotations, queries, bid tabulations, recommendations, purchase requisitions, and vendor document follow-up.
* Review and approve vendor and subcontractor submittals for compliance with project specifications.
* Support design verification through single-discipline checks and inter-discipline checks.
* Provide technical support for fabrication queries, including defect identification and rectification requirements.
* Keep discipline management and project management informed of technical, budgetary, manpower, schedule, and productivity concerns.
* Check final subcontractor and vendor data manuals to ensure required information has been received, reviewed, and approved.
* Present issues to customers in a timely manner and support negotiated resolution in line with project and company requirements.
* Perform technical quality audit reviews according to company procedures.
* Respond to customer, certifying authority, auditor, and third-party review comments when required.
* Capture lessons learned and enter them into the company lessons learned system.
* Guide less experienced engineers on procedures, standards, worksheets, calculations, software, requisitions, technical bid evaluations, and technical queries.
* Supervise assigned engineers and coordinate with project lead designers on discipline engineering and design deliverables.
* Monitor costs of assigned work processes and support departmental technical guideline maintenance.
* Participate in development and maintenance of global procedures, software, standards, and technical practices.
* Support standards development committees or task groups such as API when required.
* Prepare, review, and approve automation system definitions, including philosophies, specifications, safety drawings, and system architecture.
* Prepare, review, and approve ESD logic, cause and effect diagrams, fire and gas logic, and related safety system documentation.
* Review and approve specifications, data sheets, spare parts lists, testing procedures, and P and ID inputs for instrumentation and controls equipment.
* Attend instrumentation and controls equipment FATs when required.
* Participate in HAZOP, SIL, and classification studies and assist in closing action items.
* Provide construction, pre-commissioning, commissioning, and automation testing support as required.
* Lead discipline teams during internal, customer, and third-party technical audits and design reviews when assigned.
* Review customer and agency comments on discipline documents and drawings, resolve concerns, and guide updates.
* Assist with quarterly forecasts, manpower planning, staff needs, performance evaluation input, and interviews for discipline job applicants.
Ideal Profile
* Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Electronics Engineering, Instrumentation Engineering, or Electronics and Instrumentation Engineering.
* Master’s degree is preferred.
* 15-20 years of oil and gas experience with major contractors or consultants, mainly in detailed instrumentation and controls design.
* Registered Professional Engineer status or membership in a professional engineering society is preferred.
* Detailed knowledge of instrumentation and controls design techniques, analysis methods, engineering theory, applicable codes, standards, and guidelines.
* Strong experience in conceptual design, FEED, detailed engineering, automation systems, ESD logic, fire and gas logic, cause and effect diagrams, system architecture, and equipment specifications.
* Proven ability to lead engineering teams, manage discipline deliverables, plan manpower, control budgets, and maintain engineering productivity.
* Strong project coordination and execution capability across engineering, procurement, fabrication, marine, construction, commissioning, and customer interfaces.
* Experience preparing and approving design basis documents, philosophies, technical specifications, calculations, reports, procedures, requisitions, bid evaluations, and vendor documentation.
* Practical knowledge of HAZOP, SIL, classification studies, FATs, automation testing, technical audits, and pre-commissioning or commissioning support.
* Ability to identify scope changes, support variation orders, raise technical queries, and resolve customer or third-party comments.
* Strong communication and presentation skills with the ability to explain complex technical issues clearly.
* Ability to mentor senior and developing engineers while maintaining discipline quality and engineering integrity.
* Strong planning, organization, decision-making, and problem-solving skills for complex project situations.
* Comfortable working independently with minimal guidance while leading functional teams or discipline work scopes.
* Strong attention to detail and commitment to safe, compliant, and technically reliable engineering delivery.
Skills Set
* Instrumentation engineering
* Controls engineering
* Automation systems
* FEED engineering
* Detailed design
* Conceptual design
* I and C design basis
* Control system architecture
* ESD logic
* Fire and gas logic
* Cause and effect diagrams
* P and ID markups
* Instrument data sheets
* I and C equipment specifications
* Spare parts lists
* FAT participation
* Automation testing
* HAZOP studies
* SIL studies
* Classification studies
* Technical specifications
* Design calculations
* Design reports
* Engineering procedures
* Inter-discipline checks
* Vendor document review
* Subcontractor submittal review
* Technical bid evaluation
* Purchase requisitions
* Procurement support
* Fabrication query support
* Pre-commissioning support
* Commissioning support
* Technical quality audits
* API standards
* Lessons learned systems
* Project engineering coordination
* Discipline leadership
* Manpower planning
* Progress forecasting
* KPI monitoring
* Change notifications
* Variation order support
* Customer interface
* Certifying authority coordination
* Offshore site surveys
Why Join Us
This role gives a senior instrumentation and controls specialist the opportunity to shape high-value engineering decisions across major oil and energy projects. The position offers leadership exposure across automation, safety systems, detailed design, procurement, vendor coordination, technical audits, construction support, pre-commissioning, and commissioning. It is a strong fit for professionals who want to influence discipline standards, guide engineering teams, and contribute to technically robust project execution from Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
About the Company
McDermott International, Ltd is a global engineering, procurement, construction, installation, and technology company serving the oil and energy sector. The company delivers offshore, subsea, onshore, and energy transition projects across the energy value chain. In Dubai, McDermott International, Ltd offers opportunities for engineering professionals who want to contribute to safe, sustainable, and technically advanced energy infrastructure delivery.
