The Principal Subsea Engineer is responsible for interpreting internal or external business issues and recommending best practices, solving complex subsea-related problems while working independently with minimal guidance. Regarded as a specialist in Subsea, this role may lead functional teams or projects and requires in-depth expertise in subsea engineering alongside broad knowledge of the discipline within offshore energy.
About the Role – Subsea & Offshore Installation Engineering
Core Mandate: Design and installation engineering/analysis for subsea and offshore projects
Infrastructure Focus: Rigid pipelines, risers, flexible flowlines, umbilicals, and subsea structures
Technical Software: Orcaflex, MCS Pipelay, and Abaqus for installation analysis
Leadership Scope: May act as Lead Engineer, directing small to medium-sized engineering teams
Company Legacy: Over 100 years of offshore engineering, driving the global energy transition
Career Growth & Global Energy Impact
Strategic Location: Dubai – a major hub for offshore energy and SURF engineering projects
Global Scale: Join a company with 30,000+ employees across 54 countries driving energy transition
Technical Leadership: Opportunity to lead discipline engineering teams and mentor junior engineers
Career Growth: Deep specialization in subsea installation engineering with global project exposure
Position Overview
This Principal Subsea Engineer role supports subsea and offshore projects in a lead capacity, performing design and installation engineering/analysis for procurement, tender support, and technical reporting. You will perform conceptual, FEED, and detailed analyses and design per design codes and standards, conduct installation analysis for rigid pipelines, risers, flexible flowlines, and subsea structures, and — when acting as Lead Engineer — direct engineering teams, manage schedules and budgets, mentor junior engineers, and serve as the discipline point of contact with clients and certifying authorities.
Why This Role Matters: As Principal Subsea Engineer, you solve complex, high-stakes engineering problems for subsea infrastructure installed thousands of feet below sea level, apply deep technical expertise using industry-standard software like Orcaflex, MCS Pipelay, and Abaqus, lead engineering teams and mentor the next generation of subsea engineers, interface directly with clients, certifying authorities, and vendors on major offshore projects, and contribute to a company driving the global energy transition across 54 countries.
Key Responsibilities
Design & Installation Engineering
- Support subsea and offshore projects performing design and installation engineering/analysis in a lead role
- Perform conceptual, FEED, and detailed analyses and design per design basis, specifications, codes, and standards
- Perform Installation Analysis for rigid pipelines and risers, including CLAD and lined pipelines from reel-lay and S-lay vessels
- Perform Installation Analysis for flexible flowlines, flexible risers, umbilicals, and subsea structures
Technical & Tender Support
- Provide tender engineering support including document review, subcontractor documents, and bid evaluation
- Prepare estimates for bid proposals, technical query reviews, and manhour estimates
- Assume responsibility for technical reports, design calculations, and engineering analysis
- Interface with third parties including subcontractors and verification bodies
Lead Engineer Responsibilities
- Direct small or medium-sized Engineering teams as Lead Engineer
- Lead discipline engineering design of the assigned work area within schedule and budget
- Plan, organize, and direct all aspects of discipline execution including scope, deliverables, and resources
- Act as project representative for the discipline during meetings with clients, certifying authorities, and auditors
Mentorship & Quality Assurance
- Train and mentor graduates and junior engineers
- Review and (as Lead Engineer) approve third-party reports related to installation engineering and analysis
- Perform Technical Quality Audit reviews in accordance with global procedures
- Capture lessons learned and knowledge objects into company systems
Procurement & Vendor Coordination
- Assist procurement personnel in procuring discipline equipment, materials, and services
- Evaluate technical quotations, compile bid tabulations, and prepare purchase requisitions
- Review and (as Lead Engineer) approve vendor and subcontractor submittals for compliance
Qualifications & Requirements
Educational Requirements
- Bachelor’s Degree or Master’s Degree in Engineering
Experience Requirements
- Minimum 10-15 years of industry experience related to SURF
- Experience in installation engineering and analysis for subsea infrastructure including rigid pipelines, flexible flowlines, risers, and subsea structures
Technical Software & Standards
- Experience with industry-standard software packages for analysis (e.g., Orcaflex, MCS Pipelay, Abaqus)
- Familiar with content and application of relevant standards, codes, and guidelines
- Knowledge of basic design techniques and analysis methods
- Experience with industry-common codes and standards for subsea installation engineering
Essential Skills
- Good organization and communication skills
- Ability to prioritize workload to meet project deadlines
About This Offshore Energy Opportunity
Our ingenuity fuels daily life. This role sits within a global offshore energy company that has forged trusted partnerships across the energy value chain for more than 100 years — laying subsea infrastructure thousands of feet below sea level, installing offshore platforms, and building offshore wind infrastructure. Today, the company drives the energy transition with more than 30,000 employees across 54 countries.
Career Excellence: Lead subsea installation engineering for major offshore energy projects with a company shaping the future of the global energy transition.
Who Should Apply?
- Senior Subsea Engineers: With 10-15+ years in SURF or offshore installation engineering
- Orcaflex/Abaqus Specialists: Skilled in pipeline, riser, and flowline installation analysis
- Lead Engineers: Ready to direct discipline teams and mentor junior engineers
- Offshore Energy Professionals: With experience in FEED and detailed subsea design
- SURF Industry Veterans: Seeking a specialist role with global offshore energy exposure
Recently Opening Job👇
