Principal Mechanical Engineer

Location: The Hague

Job Overview
The Principal Mechanical Engineer is responsible for interpreting internal or external business issues and recommending best practices. They will be tasked with solving complex Mechanical Engineering-related problems and will work independently with minimal guidance. The Principal Mechanical Engineer may be responsible for leading functional teams or projects and is regarded as a specialist in Mechanical Engineering. As such, they must have in-depth expertise as well as broad knowledge of the Mechanical discipline within the Engineering function.

The Principal Mechanical Engineer interprets internal and external business challenges in the Mechanical discipline. The role requires specialized depth and breadth of expertise in Mechanical Engineering.

Essential Qualifications and Education

Bachelor's Degree or Master's Degree in Engineering

15-20 years of experience in oil and gas with a major contractor or consultant predominantly performing detail design

Preferably Registered Professional Engineer or member of professional engineering society as applicable

Seasoned structural knowledge

Very good organizer, motivator, and supervisor

Able to solve problems without assistance

Keen on improving the effectiveness of the work

HSE, TQM and cost-conscious

Fluent in the English language

Understanding and supporting company goals and work processes

Show flexibility and ensure proper hand-over with regards to:

The reassignment to other McDermott offices

The replacement of colleagues during illness and holidays

The provision of assistance to other colleagues with heavy workloads (also other projects) when possible/desirable

The managing/learning of future current working methods and software applications

Key Tasks and Responsibilities

Perform conceptual, FEED, and detailed analyses and Design as per Design basis, project specifications, design codes, and standards

Apply in-depth skills and broad knowledge of the business to address complex problems and nonstandard situations

Prepare clear and accurate detailed design calculations and analyses, including design reports and procedures

Manage own time to meet objectives and (as Lead Engineer) forecast and plan resource requirements

Clearly communicate and explain difficult concepts and persuade others to adopt a point of view

When acting as Lead Engineer, in addition:

Direct small or medium Mechanical Engineering team as a Lead Engineer

Lead the Discipline engineering design of the assigned work area and completed within the planned schedule and budget, in accordance with standards, MDR, and project‑specific procedures and to a high professional standard

Plan, organize, and direct all aspects of Discipline execution on the assigned project, including scope, deliverables, schedule, and all workforce resources – agree on allocations with the Discipline Manager

Ensure interfaces and deliverables are clearly identified

Maintain responsibility for progress and productivity, identifying any required corrective action

Act as project representative for the discipline during meetings with the Project Team, Customer discipline lead, and relevant agencies such as certifying authorities, auditors, third parties, etc.

Become fully familiar with the project scope of work, specifications, schedule, and all inter‑discipline requirements, including identifying concerns as early as practicable and taking appropriate initiatives to address the issues

Interpret contractual requirements as they relate to engineering execution

Identify changes to scope and promptly raise change notifications, including providing any necessary supporting documentation and estimates

Provide similar support for Variation Orders

Interface with all disciplines to develop clash‑free designs

Interface with other departments to obtain input for Discipline designs and drawings

Maintain close coordination with other engineering disciplines, Planning, and Project Management Team, as required

Document substantive communications (communications that result in significant decisions or assignment of actions) and forward copies to the Discipline Lead Engineer and Discipline Manager

Prepare estimates for bid proposals, including…