Principal Marine Operations Specialist

Job Overview: 

The Principal Marine Operations Specialist is a senior technical authority and recognized specialist responsible for delivering fit‑for‑purpose welding and Material solutions across complex onshore and offshore projects. The role operates with a high degree of independence and is accountable for resolving complex welding, materials, and quality‑related challenges through sound engineering judgment and best‑practice recommendations. The position provides welding engineering governance across projects, supports tendering and execution activities, drives technology development and innovation, and ensures alignment with McDermott standards, client requirements, and certifying authority expectations. The Senior Principal / Principal Welding Engineer may lead functional teams or project initiatives and must demonstrate deep technical expertise in welding, supported by broad discipline knowledge within the engineering function.

Key Tasks and Responsibilities:

• Senior technical authority accountable for welding engineering governance, qualification strategy, execution readiness, and innovation across global McDermott onshore and offshore projects
• Provide welding engineering leadership and material consultative support to Operations and Project Management Teams for onshore and offshore projects
• Deliver welding engineering governance, including development and execution of the Project Welding Execution Plan covering WPS/WPQT scope, schedules, consumables, and materials
• Review, approve, and manage all project weld procedures, engaging directly with Clients and Certifying Authorities
• Lead welding consumable and electrode selection, ensuring suitability from Material, corrosion, weldability, availability, and economic perspectives
• Support tendering and bidding activities, including welding estimates, productivity cycles, equipment and personnel evaluations, and technical specification reviews
• Provide execution support through fabrication, marine, and offshore phases, including readiness reviews, monitoring of welding performance, productivity, quality, and repairs
• Drive automation and technology development, supporting mechanized welding systems and participating in R&D initiatives for ferrous and non‑ferrous materials
• Manage training and competency development, including welding school facilities, crew qualifications, and mentoring of Welding Engineers
• Investigate and resolve welding, material, and quality issues, performing root cause analysis and leading fit‑for‑purpose evaluations of non‑conforming work
• Maintain strong collaboration with internal and external stakeholders, including Operations, Engineering, QA/QC, NDT, PMT, clients, certifying authorities, technical institutes, and suppliers
• Ensure safe, compliant, and cost‑effective execution of welding activities, including equipment fitness, documentation control, and enforcement of safety requirements

Essential Qualifications and Educations:

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Welding/Materials/Metallurgy Engineering or equivalent experience
• European/International Welding Engineer (EWE/IWE) certification or have CEng or PE status or equivalent professional recognition preferred
• Strong practical knowledge of Quality, Health, Safety, and Environmental (QHSE) systems relevant to welding operations
  Experience:
• Minimum of 15 to 20 years of experience in offshore pipeline welding
• Extensive experience as a Welding Engineer across multiple work sites (offshore and onshore)
• Proven expertise in project planning and execution within the oil and gas welding industry
• Strong background in welding inspection and compliance
• Comprehensive knowledge of mechanized welding, welding procedure qualifications, and troubleshooting common welding challenges

• Exceptional communication skills, enabling effective discussions on complex technical matters during tender and project execution

  
  

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