Offshore Startup Manager

Offshore Start-up Manager

• Start Date: 01/09/2026
• Duration: 6 months 
• Rotation: 3 weeks on / 3 weeks off
• Location: Offshore Constanta, Romania 

The Offshore Start‑Up Manager is responsible for supporting the Project Operations group in all offshore activities associated with start‑up, and early production phases of the Facilities. The Start-Up Manager will also be directly responsible for system handover, verification and commissioning of systems which can only be fully tested post-hydrocarbon introduction, including the overall performance test, The role ensures safe, efficient, and compliant execution of assigned scopes in alignment with project schedules and operational objectives.

1. Ensure all systems meet contractual, technical, and safety requirements prior to handover to Project Operations
2. Review, validate, and approve handover documentation including ITRs, punch lists, and system readiness dossiers from the project Delivery line
3. Manage close out of pre start up punch items and verify that all critical and mandatory tasks are completed.
4. Plan, direct, and supervise hot commissioning activities for process, utility, mechanical, electrical, instrumentation, and control systems.
5. Ensure all commissioning procedures, checklists, and method statements are followed precisely and safely.
6. Coordinate with vendors, discipline engineers, and OTL to bring systems online safely.
7. Troubleshoot commissioning issues and provide technical guidance to resolve failures or deviations.
8. Ensure proper configuration and testing of control logic, safeguarding systems, and emergency shutdown functions during live commissioning.
9. Ensure surface facilities are properly configured to safely handle initial flow of well fluids during well clean up and oversee integration and operation of well clean up package
10. Support the Project Operations group in the safe introduction of hydrocarbons into the facility, ensuring all technical, safety, and regulatory requirements are met.
11. Monitor live plant conditions, identify abnormalities, and coordinate rapid resolution to avoid production downtime or risks.
12. Communicate progress and status to onshore/offshore operations, project teams, and leadership.
13. Develop and implement performance testing plans for process equipment, wells, and utilities to verify compliance with design parameters.
14. Ensure accurate measurement and verification of production rates, equipment efficiencies, energy consumption, and system reliability.
15. Support Project Operations in troubleshooting and optimization activities to achieve stable plateau production and validate performance test results and prepare acceptance documentation for project close out.
16. Champion safety culture during all high risk offshore commissioning and start up operations.
17. Ensure compliance with all regulatory requirements, company standards, and industry best practices.
18. Conduct pre job safety reviews, risk assessments, and operational readiness checks.
19. Act as the primary offshore point of contact for Project Operations
20. Provide daily status updates on  progress, constraints, risks, and mitigation actions.

HSE Duties
To ascertain and respect the legislation’s and internal provisions in the field of health, safety, security and environment protection at work, protection against fire and civil protection as long as their implementation measures; to use the equipment of the current and protection activity according to the technical instructions;  not affect the good functioning, not alter, change or arbitrary remove the security devices in the building where he/she is working; to communicate immediately to the employer and/or assigned employees any situation on which he/she have serious reasons to consider as a danger for the security and health of the employees, as well as any malfunctioning of the protection system; to inform the line manager and/or the employer about the accidents suffered; to cooperate with the employer and/or assigned employees in order to make possible the implementation of any measures or requirements of the law or related authorities; to cooperate with the employer and/or the related authorities in order to allow a work environment and work conditions without risks for security and health; to act, according to the procedures established at the work place, in case of occurrence of any imminent fire danger or other emergency situation; to provide to assigned persons all known data and information concerning occurred work accidents and/or fires.; to attend medical health surveillance examinations at the workplace, as planned by the occupational health physician with the employer’s agreement.

Minimum Requirements
Education: Bachelor   
Subject of education: Relevant Engineering Discipline (subsea or facilities ).

A professional lead with extensive knowledge across multiple disciplines. Has excellent understanding of Hot Commissioning, Start-up and Performance Testing workflows associated with large greenfield projects in the offshore oil and gas industry. Demonstrable track record integrating multiple work streams.
Relevant professional experience: 15 years >

• Minimum of 15 years experience in the offshore oil and gas industry 
• Previous experience on large greenfield project executed under the Offshore Safety Directive or equivalent
• Led multi disciplinary offshore teams through System Handover, Hot Commissioning and Start Up 
• Managed end to end hot commissioning of process and utility systems, including separation trains, produced water systems, power generation, and safety instrumented systems and subsea production systems.
• Directed the introduction of hydrocarbons and coordinated first oil/gas operations, ensuring safe, controlled, and compliant platform start up. 
• Oversaw well clean up operations in collaboration with completions, and subsurface teams, optimizing facility configuration for initial well flowback and early production phases. 
• Ensured operational readiness through review of commissioning dossiers, punch list close out, permit to work alignment, and competency assessments of control room and field operators. 
• Led troubleshooting and optimization during commissioning and start up, resolving equipment failures, instrumentation faults, and control logic issues to maintain progress against key milestones. 
• Managed performance testing of major equipment packages, verifying capacity, throughput, efficiency, and reliability in line with design criteria and contractual guarantees. 

Relevant professional skills:

• Experience of working with multi-national and multi-cultural project teams is strongly preferred 
• Previous experience of working for an Operator is preferred 
• Thorough awareness of relevant international codes and standards 
• Experience with company business management system and quality assurance processes 
• Hands-on experience in dealing with technical issues and providing solutions (with limited support from discipline engineers) 
• Highly motivated and self-reliant 
• Confident and assertive 
• Problem solver 
• Open thinker and innovator 
• Flexible and adaptable 
• Planning and forecasting duties:
• Provide input to project plans and monitor performance against targets

Organization:

• Enables and facilitates collaboration on multidisciplinary projects by establishing good relations and ensuring sufficient information flows 
• Coordinates between delivery lines to ensure overall project objectives are met  

Reporting:

• Provides regular, qualitative and quantitative and ad-hoc reports on assigned work scopes
• Able to clearly communicate with senior management and escalate appropriate issues
• Excellent written communication skills

Others:

• Able to motivate and mobilize others; creates a team environment where everyone wants to do their best and deliver results
• Holds others accountable by monitoring progress and results, and giving effective feedback; able to make tough decisions when appropriate
• Demonstrated ability to build trust and strong cross-functional relationships across an organization to achieve common goals
• Takes a constructive and proactive approach to problem solving
• Professional with a high degree of integrity and honesty
• Thrives in a high pressure, fast-paced environment

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.