Senior Contract Engineer

Job description / Role

Purpose

To manage all post-award contractual and commercial matters related to major turnaround (TA) or shutdown projects and EPC projects in the oil & gas sector. The senior contracts engineer will be responsible for ensuring that all contract terms are enforced, variations are controlled, claims are evaluated, and risks are mitigated during the execution phase on site.

Key duties & responsibilities

• Manage and administer post-award contract obligations in line with contract requirements, project goals and company policies.
• Ensure compliance with contract terms and conditions, specifications, schedules, and deliverables.
• Coordinate the interpretation of contract clauses and provide guidance to project teams.
• Prepare detailed contractual correspondence to defend company interests.
• Identify, evaluate, submit change order requests to client, document contract variations, amendments, and change orders.
• Ensure changes are properly assessed for time and cost impact and submitted as per contract stipulations.
• Support project teams in negotiating contract changes with contractors/subcontractors.
• Review, analyze, and respond to subcontractors' and/or OEM vendors' claims/change requests.
• Support/lead the resolution of disputes on-site to avoid escalation and project delays.
• Monitor contractor performance against contract obligations including KPIs and milestones.
• Verify and process interim and final payments as per contract provisions.
• Liaise with internal teams such as planning, engineering, construction, and finance to support contract execution.
• Coordinate with legal and insurance departments on contractual risk issues when required.
• Participate in progress meetings and provide contractual input as necessary.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date contract files, logs, and records of all correspondence and changes.
• Prepare regular reports on contract status, claims, risks, and commercial issues.
• Ensure lessons learned and contract performance feedback are documented post-project.

Qualifications & experience

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, quantity surveying, law, or relevant discipline.
• Minimum 10-15 years of experience in contract management, with at least 5 years in a senior post-contract role on major oil & gas turnaround/shutdown projects and EPC projects.
• Strong knowledge of turnarounds and EPC contracts in Middle East or bespoke oil & gas contract frameworks.
• Experience in site-based roles within a high-pressure, fast-paced turnaround environment.
• Excellent negotiation, communication, and analytical skills.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office tools.
• Experience with multi-discipline contracting strategies (civil, mechanical, E&I, scaffolding, painting, insulation, refractory etc.).