Lead Automation & Controls Engineer

JOB DESCRIPTION & REQUIREMENTS We are presently looking for experienced candidates to take on a short contract assignment as a LEAD AUTOMATION & Controls Engineer for an offshore development project. The role will incorporate both the technical engineering responsibilities and with some project planning/control duties. Engineering & Design • Lead and execute Automation, ICSS, SIS, F&G, and ESD engineering activities for FPSO topside and marine systems. • Develop and review automation system architectures, control narratives, cause and effect matrices, I/O lists, network diagrams, and system interface documentation. • Review and validate instrumentation and automation design deliverables including data sheets, loop diagrams, interconnection diagrams, panel layouts, and control system specifications. • Ensure compliance with project requirements, applicable codes, standards, hazardous area classifications, and client specifications. • Coordinate and interface with Process, Mechanical, Electrical, Telecom, Marine, Construction, and Commissioning disciplines. • Develop, maintain, analyze, and optimize project schedules using planning tools. • Monitor engineering, procurement, construction, commissioning, and startup activities against approved project schedules. • Perform critical path analysis, schedule risk assessments, progress forecasting, and recovery planning. • Generate and review daily, weekly, and monthly progress reports, KPIs, S-Curves, manpower histograms, and management dashboards. • Identify schedule deviations, risks, bottlenecks, and potential delays, and present findings and mitigation plans to project management. • Participate in project planning, progress review, risk management, and coordination meetings. • Review project performance metrics and ensure progress reporting accurately reflects actual project status. Project Execution & Commissioning • Support PLC programming, logic development, HMI configuration, and safety system implementation. • Supervise FAT, SAT, loop checks, functional testing, integrated system testing, and offshore commissioning activities. • • Coordinate commissioning schedules and ensure alignment between engineering completion, mechanical completion, and startup milestones. • Monitor and report commissioning progress, punch list status, and system readiness. • Support construction and commissioning teams in resolving technical and schedule-related issues. Site Coordination & Operations Support • Liaise between Automation, Construction, Assembly, and Commissioning teams to ensure activities are executed according to approved schedules and project priorities. • Monitor site progress and verify execution against planned work sequences and milestones. • Review reports, schedules, and progress data to identify inconsistencies and provide recommendations for corrective actions. • Support troubleshooting, system integration, interface testing, and vendor package coordination during commissioning and operational phases. • Ensure completion of as-built documentation, test records, and project handover documentation in accordance with client and regulatory requirements. REQUIREMENTS • Bachelor's Degree in Instrumentation, Electrical, Automation, Control Systems Engineering, or equivalent. • Minimum 10 years of relevant experience in Automation, ICSS, SIS, F&G, ESD, DCS design, integration, construction, and commissioning within FPSO, Offshore Oil & Gas, or Marine projects. • Expert understanding of planning software such as Primavera P6, MS Project, and similar scheduling tools. • Strong knowledge of project management methodologies, including WBS development, project risk management, schedule management, critical path analysis, and PMBOK principles. • Experience in developing, analyzing, and maintaining integrated engineering, procurement, construction, commissioning, and startup schedules. • Expert understanding of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), progress measurement systems, S-Curves, Earned Value Management (EVM), and performance reporting. • Proven experience in FPSO topsides, marine systems, offshore construction, integration, commissioning, and startup activities. • Strong understanding of industrial automation systems including ICSS, SIS, F&G, ESD, DCS, Instrumentation, and Telecom systems. • Experience with PLC programming, HMI configuration, safety logic development, and automation network architectures.