Purpose / Mission:
Serve as the owner's technical authority on the Direct Reduction (DR) process for the 2.5 Mtpa green Direct Reduced Iron (DRI) / Hot Briquetted Iron (HBI) plant in Duqm, Oman. Lead all aspects of process engineering, technology licensor interface, process safety, and technical assurance from pre-FID through FEED, EPC award, construction, commissioning and early operations. Provide experienced operational judgement on the systems and safety protocols required for a gas-based reduction plant transitioning to hydrogen.
Key Responsibilities:
- Own the process flow diagrams, mass and energy balances, and process control philosophy for the DR plant and associated HBI briquetting facilities.
- Lead the technical interface with the process technology licensor, including battery limit definition, operating envelope, reducing gas specification, and performance guarantees.
- Lead process input to the hydrogen ramp-up strategy, including transition planning from natural gas to a hydrogen-enriched reducing gas mix.
- Lead and contribute to process safety studies including HAZID, HAZOP, SIL assessment, and process hazard analysis, with particular attention to the hazards associated with reducing gas, natural gas and hydrogen systems.
- Review and approve process engineering deliverables from the Owner's Engineer and EPC contractors.
- Support commercial negotiations with utility providers by providing the technical basis for gas, hydrogen, power and water consumption profiles under nominal, ramp-up and turndown conditions.
- Support cost estimate development for process scope to FID-level accuracy.
- Provide process technical leadership during construction, pre-commissioning, commissioning and performance testing.
- Lead process operational readiness preparation, including operating philosophy, procedures, and training requirements, in close coordination with the future operations organization.
- Contribute to the development and mentoring of process engineering resources as the in-country team grows from pre-FID into execution.
Requirements / Skills / Experience:
- Minimum 20 years' experience in process engineering with direct experience on gas-based Direct Reduction plants. Equivalent experience on ammonia, methanol, syngas, hydrogen or analogous reduction process plants will be considered.
- Proven experience in a senior process role through at least one full lifecycle of a DR or analogous plant: FEED, EPC, construction, commissioning and operations.
- Deep knowledge of gas-based DR process systems, reducing gas chemistry, shaft furnace operation, reformer systems (as relevant), and associated safety protocols.
- Exposure to hydrogen-enriched or hydrogen-based direct reduction is a strong advantage.
- Demonstrated leadership in process safety, including accountability for HAZOP, SIL and process hazard analysis outcomes.
- Strong command of process simulation and mass/energy balance tools.
- Experience managing technology licensor interfaces and negotiating process guarantees.
- Prior GCC or Middle East project experience preferred.
- Demonstrated ability to hold an independent professional position with licensors, contractors and senior executives when process integrity requires it.
- Strong communication, technical writing and review skills.
Required Education / Qualification / Training:
- Bachelor's degree in Chemical, Metallurgical, or Process Engineering (required).
- Master's degree in Chemical, Metallurgical or Process Engineering (preferred).
- Chartered Engineer, Professional Engineer or equivalent internationally recognized professional status (preferred).
- Member of a recognized professional engineering institution (e.g. IChemE, AIChE, AIST) (preferred).
Required Language Proficiency:
English - Fluent
Arabic - Nice to have
What We Do
Our vision is to create a world where development and nature can be in balance. Driven by passion, creativity, and expertise, we make sustainable steel more accessible.
