SURF Subsea Structures Design Engineer

Project Venus Ultra-Deepwater Development

Location London, United Kingdom - Contractor's Premises

Contract Type Residential Assignment

Start Date February 2027 (Subject to Final Investment Decision - FID)

Duration 1 to 3 Years

Renewable Yes

Reporting Line SURF Technical Manager

Travel Requirements Frequent missions to fabrication yards, supplier facilities and offshore installation sites.

Role Overview

The Senior SURF Subsea Structures Engineer is responsible for supervising and coordinating all engineering, procurement, fabrication and construction activities related to subsea structures within the SURF package of the Venus ultra-deepwater development project offshore Namibia.

The position covers the full Engineering, Procurement, Supply, Construction and Commissioning (EPSCC) lifecycle, ensuring the technical integrity, quality and timely delivery of subsea structures.

The scope includes Flowline End Terminations (FLETs), In-Line Tees (ILTs), lateral buckling and pipeline walking mitigation structures, subsea foundations, pipe supports, sleepers and anchoring piles, together with other subsea structural components.

The Engineer acts as the technical reference for subsea structures design and fabrication, overseeing Contractor and Supplier activities and ensuring compliance with project specifications, international standards and H3SE&Q requirements.

The position reports to the SURF Technical Manager and works closely with the SURF Installation, Fabrication, SPS, FPSO and Field Operations teams.

Key Responsibilities

Subsea Structures Engineering & Design

• Lead and supervise subsea structures engineering activities throughout the SURF EPSCC execution phase.
• Review and approve detailed engineering studies, calculations, drawings, specifications and procedures.
• Oversee engineering activities associated with:
  • Flowline End Terminations (FLETs).
  • In-Line Tees (ILTs).
  • Lateral Buckling Mitigation Structures.
  • Pipeline Walking Mitigation Structures.
  • Subsea Foundations.
  • Pipe Supports and Sleepers.
  • Anchoring Piles.
  • Other subsea structural components.
• Ensure compliance with approved project specifications and relevant international codes.
• Review in-place structural analyses and installation analyses prepared by the SURF Contractor.
• Identify unsafe designs, technical deviations and constructability issues.
• Propose technically sound solutions to optimize design, safety and cost.

Structural Analysis & Engineering Verification

• Review structural calculations and engineering analyses performed by Contractors and Suppliers.
• Assess the structural integrity and suitability of subsea structures for ultra-deepwater applications.
• Verify structural designs against operational, installation and environmental requirements.
• Review engineering documentation related to subsea foundations and anchoring systems.
• Assess geotechnical considerations affecting subsea structures.
• Review structural design assumptions and engineering methodologies.
• Ensure that engineering deliverables meet contractual and technical requirements.

Subsea Equipment & Component Integration

• Oversee technical interfaces associated with subsea structures and integrated equipment.
• Review structural integration of:
  • Subsea Connectors.
  • Multi Quick Connect (MQC) Plates.
  • Electrical Harnesses.
  • Electronic Subsea Control Modules (e-SCM).
  • Electrical Actuators.
  • Dosing Valves.
• Ensure compatibility between structural design and associated subsea equipment.
• Coordinate technical interfaces with SPS and other project packages.
• Identify potential integration issues and recommend corrective actions.

Procurement & Fabrication Supervision

• Monitor procurement activities associated with subsea structures.
• Follow up Contractor and Supplier progress against approved schedules.
• Review fabrication-related technical documentation and procedures.
• Ensure fabrication activities comply with approved engineering requirements.
• Support technical supervision of fabrication yards and supplier workshops.
• Identify manufacturing deviations and propose remedial solutions.
• Ensure timely delivery of subsea structures in accordance with project requirements.
• Support quality control activities throughout fabrication and testing.

Installation & Pre-Commissioning Support

• Provide technical support for transportation, offshore installation and pre-commissioning of subsea structures.
• Review installation methodologies and associated engineering analyses.
• Support the resolution of technical issues encountered during offshore operations.
• Coordinate with SURF Installation teams to ensure structural installation readiness.
• Liaise with Marine Warranty Surveyors (MWS) and relevant third parties.
• Ensure engineering requirements are properly incorporated into installation procedures.
• Support technical assessments of offshore installation deviations.

Contractor & Supplier Management

• Act as the Company's technical reference for subsea structures design.
• Review and validate Contractor engineering deliverables.
• Monitor Contractor compliance with project specifications and contractual requirements.
• Review technical queries, deviations and derogation requests.
• Identify engineering inconsistencies and unacceptable design choices.
• Monitor progress and report potential schedule or technical deviations.
• Propose corrective actions and engineering optimizations.
• Ensure technical compliance throughout engineering, procurement, fabrication, testing and installation.

Engineering Interfaces & Project Coordination

• Coordinate technical activities with:
  • SURF Installation Team.
  • SURF Fabrication Team.
  • SPS Engineering Team.
  • FPSO Engineering Team.
  • Field Operations.
  • Company Headquarters Specialists.
  • Contractors and Suppliers.
  • Marine Warranty Surveyors.
• Ensure alignment of subsea structures engineering with other project disciplines.
• Participate in multidisciplinary technical reviews.
• Support resolution of engineering interface issues.
• Coordinate technical matters with the Company's project organization in Namibia.

Project Documentation & Technical Reporting

• Prepare, review and maintain technical documentation related to subsea structures.
• Contribute to project management documentation, including:
  • Statement of Requirements (SOR).
  • Field Development Plan (FDP).
  • Project Execution Plan (PEP).
  • Project Quality Plan (PQP).
  • Project Risk Registers.
• Monitor engineering progress and technical deliverables.
• Report technical concerns and deviations to the SURF Technical Manager.
• Participate in project reviews and technical workshops.
• Capture lessons learned and contribute to project close-out documentation.

Project Execution & Contractual Support

• Support the SURF Technical Manager and SURF Package Manager during project execution.
• Provide technical input for contract management activities.
• Support technical discussions with Contractors, Suppliers and project partners.
• Ensure engineering activities comply with contractual requirements.
• Identify potential technical risks affecting project execution.
• Propose solutions to improve technical performance, cost efficiency and schedule compliance.

HSE Responsibilities

• Demonstrate exemplary commitment to Company H3SE&Q requirements.
• Ensure subsea structures engineering and fabrication activities comply with applicable safety standards.
• Identify and report unsafe designs, technical deviations and potential hazards.
• Promote safe working practices throughout engineering, fabrication and installation.
• Ensure Contractor compliance with technical, quality and HSE requirements.
• Support implementation of Company Life Saving Rules and HSE initiatives.
• Promote ethical conduct and compliance with the Company's Code of Conduct.
• Support continuous improvement of safety, quality and environmental performance.

Qualifications

Education

• Master's Degree in Engineering, preferably in Structural, Mechanical, Civil or Offshore Engineering.

Experience

• Minimum 15 years of experience in subsea structures engineering.
• Extensive experience on major offshore Oil & Gas deepwater SURF EPCI projects.
• Proven expertise in the detailed design and fabrication of:
  • FLETs.
  • ILTs.
  • Subsea Foundations.
  • Pipe Supports and Sleepers.
  • Anchoring Piles.
  • Other subsea structures.
• Experience with subsea structural engineering and offshore installation requirements.
• Strong knowledge of geotechnical engineering for subsea structures.
• Experience integrating subsea connectors, MQC plates, electrical harnesses, e-SCMs, electrical actuators and dosing valves.
• Previous experience working with major SURF Contractors and fabrication yards.
• Familiarity with Company General Specifications is preferred.
• Experience working in complex international and multicultural project environments.

Technical Skills

• SURF Subsea Structures Engineering.
• Deepwater Structural Design.
• FLETs / ILTs.
• Subsea Foundations.
• Pipe Supports & Sleepers.
• Anchoring Piles.
• Lateral Buckling Mitigation.
• Pipeline Walking Mitigation.
• Structural Integrity Assessment.
• In-Place Structural Analysis.
• Installation Engineering.
• Subsea Geotechnical Engineering.
• Subsea Equipment Integration.
• MQC Plates.
• e-SCM Integration.
• Electrical Actuators.
• Subsea Connectors.
• Fabrication Supervision.
• Procurement Follow-Up.
• Offshore Installation Support.
• Marine Warranty Survey (MWS).
• EPSCC Project Execution.
• Contractor & Supplier Management.
• Technical Quality Assurance.

Engineering Software

Practical knowledge of:

• ANSYS
• Abaqus
• SACS
• AutoCAD / SolidWorks
• OrcaFlex

Codes & Standards

Good knowledge of:

• DNV
• ASME
• API
• ISO
• Company General Specifications (preferred).

Soft Skills

• Strong technical leadership and engineering judgment.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving capabilities.
• Proactive, constructive and pragmatic mindset.
• Strong communication and coordination skills.
• Ability to work effectively with multidisciplinary engineering teams.
• Excellent organizational and planning abilities.
• Ability to manage technical interfaces with Contractors and Suppliers.
• Strong commitment to technical integrity, safety and quality.
• Experience working in complex multicultural environments.

Languages

• Fluent English mandatory, both written and spoken.

Project Environment

• Major ultra-deepwater Oil & Gas development offshore Namibia.
• Water depth approximately 3,000 meters.
• FPSO designed to process approximately 160,000 barrels of oil per day.
• Development comprising up to 40 subsea wells tied back to the FPSO.
• FPSO permanently spread-moored using a 16-line mooring system.
• Extensive subsea infrastructure involving FLETs, ILTs, foundations, pipeline supports and other subsea structures.
• International EPSCC project involving multiple Contractors, fabrication yards and offshore installation activities.
• Residential assignment based in London, United Kingdom, with frequent international missions.