Job Description
Reports to: Manager, Concept Development
To lead all civil and structural engineering activities in facility foundations, infrastructure, and modifications, for the engineering department and plant operations, in order to ensure the structural integrity, stability, and safe operation of all physical assets that sustain production performance and protect company assets and personnel.
Key Responsibilities Areas (KRAs) and Initiatives
Structural Design and Engineering Excellence
- Develop, verify, and approve detailed structural designs and specifications for foundations, steel structures, and concrete works using industry codes (e.g., American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC), American Concrete Institute (ACI), Eurocodes) to ensure reliable load bearing capacity, safety compliance, and robust asset integrity.
- Oversee the execution of complex structural analysis using specialized software (e.g., STAAD.Pro, SAP2000, Tekla) to ensure all structures withstand operational loads, environmental factors (wind, seismic, wave action), and potential blast scenarios without failure that prevent catastrophic asset damage and operational downtime.
- Lead the material selection process for structural components, concrete mixes, and coatings by coordinating with mechanical and piping engineers to ensure compatibility with the operating environment, resistance to corrosion, and adherence to company standards that maximize asset integrity and longevity.
- Manage the development and accuracy of C&S deliverables, including general arrangement drawings, fabrication details, and Bill of Materials (BOMs), by implementing rigorous quality control checks to ensure fabrication accuracy and reliable construction that prevents rework and project delays.
- Provide project scoping input during Front-End Engineering Design (FEED) by ensuring accurate material estimates for concrete, steel, and earthworks to ensure effective capital allocation and robust project planning that prevents budget overruns.
Site Infrastructure and Geotechnical Management
- Manage geotechnical investigation requirements and data interpretation by coordinating with specialist consultants and reviewing soil reports to ensure appropriate foundation designs are developed that guarantee stability and prevent structural settlement issues.
- Develop and approve site preparation plans, including earthworks, drainage systems, and road designs, by coordinating with local authorities and environmental teams to ensure effective water management, safe access, and compliance with local regulations.
- Oversee the design of non-process civil infrastructure such as control buildings, substations, and utility buildings by applying relevant building codes and safety standards to ensure robust, safe, and compliant support facilities for all personnel and critical equipment.
- Ensure the implementation of flood mitigation and drainage strategies across the facility by reviewing topographical surveys and applying engineering best practices to protect critical assets from environmental water damage and operational disruption.
- Lead the coordination of utility interfaces (sewage, water supply lines) with the overall site layout and underground network by collaborating with other disciplines to ensure a comprehensive and compliant infrastructure design that meets all operational support needs.
Asset Integrity, Construction, and Operational Support
- Drive asset integrity programs for existing civil and structural assets by coordinating regular inspections, condition assessments, and repair scopes to ensure the long-term health, safety, and reliability of all physical infrastructure.
- Provide expert technical support during construction and commissioning phases by conducting site inspections, resolving field queries (Field Change Requests), and ensuring installations meet design specifications to ensure safe startup and handover to operations.
- Manage the engineering aspects of all major maintenance activities related to structural repairs or foundation work by defining scope, coordinating repair plans, and ensuring quality control (QC) inspections are executed properly to ensure efficient and safe return-to-service of equipment.
- Support the implementation of Management of Change (MOC) procedures during construction by assessing field-initiated changes and ensuring rigorous technical review, approval, and documentation of all modifications, preventing uncontrolled operational risks and compliance failures.
- Ensure the implementation of lessons learned from past incidents and operational feedback into future designs and maintenance programs to drive continuous improvement, enhance safety performance, and prevent recurrence of failures.
Process Safety Management (PSM) and Compliance
- Ensure all C&S designs strictly adhere to applicable safety regulations, industry codes (e.g., ACI, AISC, ASCE), and company standards by incorporating requirements into specifications and reviewing all designs to mitigate legal liability, ensure equipment longevity, and provide assurance to regulators.
- Participate in safety and operability reviews (HAZOP, HAZID, PSSR) by providing expertise on structural limitations, failure modes, and potential safety impacts to ensure civil and structural systems integrate safely into the overall plant design, comply with all safety regulations, and are ready for safe startup and operation.
- Oversee the engineering and validation of blast-resistant design requirements for critical buildings and structures by coordinating with safety specialists and applying relevant engineering methodologies to ensure adequate protection for personnel and assets during potential explosion scenarios.
- Liaise with regulatory agencies and third-party inspectors by preparing documentation, coordinating statutory inspections, and addressing technical queries to ensure all C&S systems meet mandatory government and environmental regulations and receive timely clearances.
- Develop and implement standardized procedures for managing ground disturbance and excavation activities by verifying technical feasibility and ensuring rigorous safety checks are performed to execute modifications safely on live sites without operational interruption.
Technical Leadership and Mentorship
- Mentor, coach, and guide junior and senior C&S engineers and designers through structured feedback sessions, on-the-job training, and project support to develop their technical competencies, build internal capability, and ensure the engineering team’s long-term sustainability.
- Provide technical stewardship across the engineering department by serving as the subject matter expert (SME) on complex C&S issues and challenging design assumptions to ensure robust decision-making and the application of sound engineering principles across all projects.
- Develop and deliver internal technical training workshops on core C&S topics (e.g., foundation design principles, steel code application, structural analysis fundamentals) to enhance the entire team's knowledge base, standardize best practices, and improve the consistency and quality of deliverables.
- Manage individual performance reviews and development plans for the C&S engineering team by setting clear goals, tracking progress, and providing honest feedback to ensure team members are aligned with departmental objectives, motivated, and achieving their full professional potential.
- Foster a culture of continuous learning and innovation within the team by encouraging the exploration of new technologies, data analytics tools, and industry trends to improve efficiency, enhance safety practices, and keep the department at the forefront of civil and structural engineering excellence.
Qualifications & Experience Requirements
Minimum Qualification
- Bachelor’s degree in civil engineering, Structural Engineering, or a closely related engineering discipline.
Required Professional Certifications / Accreditations / Registrations
- Registered/Chartered Engineer status with a recognized professional body (e.g., COREN in Nigeria, ICE, IStructE, or equivalent international professional engineering license).
Minimum Years of Experience and Relevant Areas
- Minimum of 15 years of Civil and Structural engineering experience in the oil and gas, refining, or petrochemical industry.
- Minimum of 3-5 years in a lead, supervisory, or managerial role overseeing a team of Structural and Civil engineering.
- Extensive experience in the design, analysis, and integrity management of foundations, steel structures, and concrete works.
Proven experience in
- Leading multidisciplinary engineering teams for the design, construction, and commissioning of C&S systems in oil and gas facilities.
- Performing complex structural analysis using specialized software (e.g., STAAD.Pro, SAP2000, Tekla) in compliance with international codes (AISC, ACI, ASCE).
- Managing geotechnical investigation requirements, interpreting soil reports, and designing appropriate foundation solutions.
- Troubleshooting complex structural integrity issues and conducting formal Root Cause Analysis (RCA) or Fitness-For-Service (FFS) assessments within an operational environment.
- Implementing and managing Management of Change (MOC) processes and participating in formal hazard reviews (HAZID, HAZOP).
- Developing specifications for concrete, steel, and coatings, ensuring compliance with NACE and other material standards.
Any Additional Qualifications / Certifications or Experience (Desirable but not essential)
- Master’s degree in Control Systems Engineering, Project Management, or a related field
- Project Management Professional (PMP) certification
- Experience with blast-resistant design methodologies and analysis