SPS Engineering Lead

SPS Engineering Lead

Location: Bristol, UK or Baku, Azerbaijan
Employment Type: Residential

About the Role We are seeking an experienced SPS Engineering Lead to provide technical leadership and coordination across all Subsea Production System (SPS) engineering activities on a major offshore development project.

This is a senior leadership position responsible for ensuring the safe, efficient, and compliant delivery of SPS engineering throughout the project lifecycle, from engineering and procurement through fabrication, installation, commissioning, and handover.

The successful candidate will lead a team of engineers and specialists while acting as the primary technical focal point for subsea hardware, controls systems, and associated engineering interfaces. 

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and coordinate all SPS engineering activities throughout project execution.
• Provide technical leadership for Subsea Trees, Wellheads, Running Tools, Installation Equipment, and associated SPS hardware and control systems.
• Manage and supervise SPS engineers and technical specialists.
• Ensure engineering deliverables are completed and approved in line with project schedules and quality requirements.
• Oversee contractor and supplier engineering performance and technical compliance.
• Lead technical reviews, design assessments, and engineering decision-making processes.
• Support procurement, fabrication, testing, installation, commissioning, and handover activities.
• Manage technical risks, design deviations, concessions, and non-conformance resolution.
• Coordinate multidisciplinary interfaces across subsea controls, pipelines, structures, drilling, completions, and operations teams.
• Review and approve engineering calculations, analyses, procedures, and technical documentation.
• Participate in supplier assessments, bid evaluations, and equipment qualification activities.
• Ensure technical integrity and compliance with applicable industry codes and standards throughout project execution.
• Drive continuous improvement, lessons learned, and knowledge sharing within the engineering team. 

Leadership Responsibilities

• Lead, mentor, and develop SPS engineering personnel.
• Allocate resources and manage engineering workloads.
• Conduct performance and development reviews.
• Foster collaboration, technical excellence, and a strong safety culture.
• Promote consistent engineering practices and adherence to project procedures. 

Qualifications & Experience Essential

• Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Subsea Engineering, Drilling Engineering, or a related discipline.
• Minimum 15 years' experience in the oil and gas industry.
• Minimum 10 years' experience in Subsea Production Systems.
• Proven experience leading SPS engineering teams on major offshore projects.
• Extensive knowledge of Subsea Trees, Wellheads, Running Tools, and SPS hardware delivery.
• Strong understanding of EPFS/EPC project execution.
• Experience managing suppliers, contractors, and complex multidisciplinary interfaces.
• Experience supporting procurement, fabrication, testing, installation, and commissioning activities.
• Strong knowledge of API, ISO, DNV, and other relevant industry standards.
• Experience participating in FAT, SIT, EFAT, and offshore commissioning activities.
• Demonstrated ability to manage technical risk and make sound engineering decisions.
• Fluent English communication skills. 

Desirable

• Experience with major SPS equipment suppliers and subsea hardware packages.
• Knowledge of offshore developments in challenging environments and deepwater projects.
• Experience working on large-scale international energy projects. 

What You'll Bring

• Strong technical leadership and stakeholder management skills.
• Excellent communication and team development capabilities.
• A proactive approach to problem-solving and risk management.
• The ability to confidently manage engineering interfaces across complex offshore developments.
• A commitment to safety, quality, and operational excellence. 

Join a major offshore development project and play a pivotal role in delivering world-class subsea production systems from concept through to successful project handover.

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.