Department Manager (Pipelines)

Job description / Role

Employment: Full Time

Belong, connect, grow, with KBR!

The KBR team of teams delivers future-forward science, technology and engineering solutions and mission-critical services that help governments and companies around the world accomplish their most important objectives, while also helping achieve their sustainability goals.

KBR Sustainable Technology Solutions provides holistic and value-added solutions across the entire asset life cycle. These include world-class licensed process technologies, differentiated advisory services, deep technical domain expertise, energy transition solutions, high-end design and engineering capabilities, and smart solutions to optimize planned and operating assets.

Job description

Department Manager - Pipelines

Employment type: Long term contract

Job purpose

We are seeking a Department Manager - Pipelines to join our engineering leadership team to be based in our Abu Dhabi office with oversight for Middle East projects including UAE, Iraq, Kuwait and Oman. The successful candidate will be a key member of the engineering leadership team and will work with other department managers and the location engineering director to support the delivery of projects from concepts and FEED through detailed design across various sectors including onshore and offshore energy and infrastructure projects.

The Department Manager - Pipelines will be expected to grow the capability and headcount of the department to support Middle East-based proposals and projects, and those executed by other operating centres globally, and to support business processes, maintaining a high quality of engineering deliverables and service offerings.

The candidate should have excellent organizational and communication skills and be able to guide, manage and mentor a team of multi-national engineers and designers. They should be able to multi-task, work without supervision, exercise good judgment and communicate with colleagues within the wider KBR organization.

This role requires extensive experience in detailed design, construction support, and project execution, of both onshore and offshore pipeline projects, ensuring that pipeline designs meet contractual, regulatory, and industry standards. The ideal candidate will provide technical leadership, coordinate with multidisciplinary teams, and drive the successful delivery of pipeline systems from design to construction while optimizing cost, efficiency, and constructability.

• Senior professional with strong personal drive and credibility with both internal and external stakeholders.
• Provide expert knowledge and guidance of subsea and pipelines for projects.
• A high energy individual with a desire to make a difference and offer suggestions for improvement and recommendations.
• Must be flexible and able to adapt to changing project-related priorities and deliver high quality, accurate work within deadlines required.
• Participation in cross fertilization of work between KBR departments and developing a OneKBR approach to execute projects.
• Developing and maintaining customer relationships, ensuring customer satisfaction at project level and resolving any issues.
• Train, develop and mentor the next generation of pipeline and subsea engineers; and abide by the KBR Code of Business Conduct and business ethics.
• Be accountable for and oversee the detailed engineering and design of pipeline systems within EPC projects, ensuring compliance with project specifications and international standards.
• If deployed directly on project(s), as may be required as part of the larger role:
• Be able to perform and review stress and hydraulic analyses to validate pipeline integrity and operational efficiency.
• Drive value-added engineering initiatives to optimize design, reduce costs, and improve constructability without compromising quality or safety.
• Optimize pipeline routing to minimize environmental impact, reduce land acquisition costs, and enhance long-term operational efficiency.
• Coordinate with procurement, construction, and commissioning teams to ensure seamless integration of pipeline engineering deliverables.
• Review vendor documents, technical specifications, material selections, and equipment requisitions to ensure compatibility with project requirements.
• Provide technical expertise and support during fabrication, installation, testing, and pre-commissioning phases.
• Resolve site-based engineering challenges by working closely with construction and quality teams.
• Conduct technical risk assessments and develop mitigation plans to ensure compliance with safety and regulatory requirements.
• Collaborate with project managers, clients, and contractors to ensure alignment on scope, timelines, and deliverables.

• Bachelor's degree in engineering.
• Chartered engineer (preferred).
• Minimum of 15 years of experience in pipeline engineering, specifically within EPC project environments.
• Proven track record in managing pipeline engineering for large-scale EPC projects, from design through to construction and commissioning.
• Previous experience in a departmental role is preferred.
• Good analytical and problem-solving skills.

The candidate should be able to demonstrate depth of experience and knowledge in several of the following service areas:

• Onshore pipeline engineering, including all major engineering standards.
• Offshore pipeline engineering, including all major engineering standards.
• Subsea engineering, including all major engineering standards.
• Field development.
• Execution of feasibility and configuration studies.
• Execution of FEED projects.
• Developing proposals.
• Engaging with clients.

• Be proficient in pipeline design and analysis software, such as AutoCAD, PDMS, Caesar II, and other industry-standard tools.
• Strong knowledge of ASME, API, ASCE, and other pipeline engineering codes and standards.
• Expertise in material selection, corrosion protection, and welding procedures for pipeline systems.
• Experience in feasibility studies and constructability reviews for EPC pipeline projects.
• Proven ability to implement value engineering principles to optimize costs and enhance project efficiency.
• Experience in pipeline route optimization considering environmental, geotechnical, and regulatory constraints.

• Strong leadership and team coordination skills to manage engineering activities across multiple disciplines.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills for effective collaboration with clients, contractors, and internal teams.
• An analytical and problem-solving mindset to address technical and construction challenges in EPC projects.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, ensuring timely delivery of high-quality engineering work.
• Commitment to safety, quality, and efficiency in all aspects of pipeline engineering within EPC projects.

About the Company

We deliver science, technology and engineering solutions to governments and companies around the world. KBR employs approximately 28,000 people performing diverse, complex and mission critical roles in 34 countries.

KBR is proud to work with its customers across the globe to provide technology, value-added services, and long-term operations and maintenance services to ensure consistent delivery with predictable results. At KBR, We Deliver.

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