Lead Umbilical Engineer
Schedule: Monday to Friday
Location: Fano, Italy initially and later Baku, Azerbaijan
Contract: 12 months (renewable)
This company is supporting the an offshore project in Azerbaijan and is seeking an experienced Lead Umbilical Engineer to provide technical leadership across all umbilical and fiber optic cable (FOC) engineering activities within the SURF package. The Lead Umbilical Engineer will act as the focal point for umbilical and FOC design, fabrication, testing, installation and commissioning, ensuring compliance with project requirements, international standards and company specifications. This is a high-impact opportunity for an established Lead Umbilical Engineer with extensive subsea Oil & Gas project experience and a strong technical understanding of deepwater and shallow-water umbilical systems, installation methodologies, contractor management and multidisciplinary interfaces.
Key Responsibilities:
· Lead all technical activities related to umbilical and fiber optic cable (FOC) design, manufacturing, installation, testing, pre-commissioning and commissioning within the SURF package.
· Ensure all applicable company specifications, project requirements, contractual obligations, international norms and industry standards are incorporated throughout detailed engineering, fabrication and installation phases.
· Review and validate contractor and vendor technical documentation, engineering deliverables, technical queries and deviation requests, ensuring timely resolution and compliance.
· Act as the technical authority and primary interface with contractors on all umbilical and FOC engineering matters.
· Coordinate closely with SURF, SPS, Telecom, Onshore and multidisciplinary project teams to optimize engineering execution and operational performance.
· Supervise fabrication, testing and qualification activities across multiple manufacturing facilities, ensuring project QA/QC and H3SE requirements are fully implemented.
· Oversee and monitor FAT, SAT, PQT and other qualification and testing programs, ensuring contractual and technical requirements are achieved
· Ensure pre-commissioning and commissioning activities are adequately prepared and executed, including equipment handover to installation contractors and other project packages.
· Manage technical interfaces and risks with other project packages and stakeholders, supporting overall project integration and delivery.
· Participate in project reviews, technical workshops and engineering assurance processes in accordance with company governance requirements.
· Promote and maintain the highest HSE standards, ensuring safe work practices are followed throughout all project phases.
· Prepare and deliver regular technical reports, progress updates, risk assessments and lessons learned to project management.
· Support engagement with partners, authorities and external stakeholders on umbilical and FOC-related technical matters when required.
Required Education:
· Bachelor's degree in Engineering, preferably in Mechanical, Offshore, Subsea, Marine or a related discipline.
· Advanced technical specialization in subsea engineering, offshore systems or project engineering would be advantageous.
Required Experience:
· Minimum 15 years of experience within the Oil & Gas industry.
· Proven specialist experience in subsea deepwater and shallow-water umbilical engineering and installation.
· Demonstrated experience managing umbilical design, fabrication, testing and integration on major offshore developments.
· Experience with fiber optic cable (FOC) installation, including nearshore and landfall activities.
· Previous involvement in large-scale offshore EPC/EPCI projects operating in complex technical environments.
· Experience coordinating contractors, vendors and multidisciplinary engineering teams across project execution phases.
Required Skills:
· Strong technical expertise in subsea umbilical systems and associated installation methodologies.
· Advanced understanding of deepwater and shallow-water subsea developments.
· Knowledge of offshore engineering standards, project engineering practices and industry regulations.
· Strong interface management and stakeholder coordination skills.
· Expertise in Quality Assurance and Quality Control processes.
· Knowledge of NDT and metallurgy principles relevant to offshore developments.
· Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.
Required Certifications:
· Relevant engineering qualifications and professional certifications supporting subsea and offshore engineering activities are advantageous.
Preferred Qualifications:
· Experience on major international SURF developments.
· Familiarity with company specifications, rules and offshore project governance frameworks.
· Previous experience supporting offshore commissioning and installation campaigns.
· Ability and willingness to travel internationally and support worldwide project activities.
Location & Rotation:
· Residential position based in Fano, Italy, with missions to umbilical manufacturing facilities as required.
About Airswift
Airswift is an international workforce solutions provider within the energy, process and infrastructure industries. Airswift serves as a strategic partner to clients, offering a turnkey workforce solution to capture and deliver the top talent needed to complete successful projects by aligning with unique project needs. With over 1,000 employees and 9,000 contractors operating in more than 60 countries, Airswift's geographical reach and pool of talent available is unmatched in the industry.