Group Principal Rotating Equipment Engineer

Group Principal Rotating Equipment Engineer

Purpose
The Group Principal Rotating Equipment Engineer provides technical leadership and governance for rotating equipment across the organization. This role ensures the development and application of best practices, technical standards, and innovative solutions to deliver safe, reliable, and efficient operations. Acting as a subject matter expert, the Principal Engineer drives continuous improvement, knowledge sharing, and technical assurance for projects and operations, contributing to the company’s strategic objectives of safety, sustainability, and operational excellence.
 
Job description
As Group Principal Rotating Equipment Engineer, you will play a key role in shaping the strategy and governance of the Technical Assurance Group. You will ensure compliance with regulatory requirements, industry standards, and internal guidelines while promoting technical excellence and innovation in rotating equipment engineering with the guidance of the Technical Authority of Rotating Mechanical Equipment.
 
Responsibilities
Technical Assurance & Governance

• Develop and maintain Group Technical Specifications (GTS) and Guidelines (GTG) for rotating equipment.
• Participate in Technical Assurance processes for greenfield and brownfield projects
• Provide technical support for investigations of major incidents involving rotating machinery, driving improvements based on lessons learned
• Resolve complex technical issues to meet project and discipline deliverables
• Act as a consultant and mentor to engineers across regional centers, ensuring knowledge transfer and application of best practices
• Collaborate with Discipline Manager/Leads, and engineering teams to drive continuous improvement in quality and efficiency
• Stay abreast of industry developments and internal technology readiness, ensuring lessons learned are captured and applied.

 
Project & Product Development

• Lead conceptual studies (Framing Studies) for FPSOs, including selection and sizing of compressors, pumps, and gas turbine generators to define optimized architectures.
• Contribute as Rotating Machinery Expert in new product development projects
• Analyze fleet data to identify opportunities for continuous improvement of tools and processes
• Engage with Vendors to identify innovative solutions and participate in vendor qualification processes.

 
Operational Support & Assurance

• Support proposals by developing accurate OPEX cost estimates and input for annual budgets.
• Review specifications, calculations, and data sheets as part of Technical Assurance activities
• Attend Critical Equipment Factory Acceptance Tests (FAT)
• Provide support for package HAZOPs and review Operational Test Procedures (OTPs)
• Conduct construction yard visits focusing on commissioning and preservation activities
• Participate in Reliability, Availability, and Maintainability (RAM) studies
• Maintain strong relationships with key OEMs
• Occasional short term international travel (including offshore) required to support business needs.

 
Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related field (required)

 
Experience

• Minimum 10 years of experience in rotating equipment (gas turbines, centrifugal compressors, screw compressors, centrifugal pumps, PD pumps) within the Oil & Gas or energy industry
• Strong knowledge of vibration monitoring techniques and rotor dynamics
• Offshore experience highly valued but not mandatory
• Proven expertise in rotating machinery selection and troubleshooting complex technical problems
• Hands-on practical experience essential.

 
Functional Competencies

• Concept development and Detailed Design
• Systems Engineering
• Inspection, testing, commissioning and monitoring
• Package engineering and manufacturing
• Reliability, operability and safety
• Mechanical Rotating Equipment
• Analysis

Behaviors & inter-personal

• Strong team spirit and good communication skills
• Dynamic and proactive profile

With over 90 years' combined experience, NES Fircroft (NES) is proud to be the world's leading engineering staffing provider spanning the Oil & Gas, Power & Renewables, Chemicals, Construction & Infrastructure, Life Sciences, Mining and Manufacturing sectors worldwide. With more than 80 offices in 45 countries, we are able to provide our clients with the engineering and technical expertise they need, wherever and whenever it is needed. We offer contractors far more than a traditional recruitment service, supporting with everything from securing visas and work permits, to providing market-leading benefits packages and accommodation, ensuring they are safely and compliantly able to support our clients.