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Head of Instrumentation

Job Description

Roles & Responsibilities

Job Summary:

We are seeking an accomplished Head of Instrumentation to lead all instrumentation engineering functions across our oil & gas operations. This role will be responsible for the overall strategy, design integrity, implementation, and maintenance of field instrumentation systems to ensure operational excellence, safety, and compliance. The ideal candidate brings a deep understanding of process instrumentation and team leadership to support complex projects and plant operations across upstream, midstream, and downstream assets.


Key Responsibilities:

  • Lead the instrumentation discipline for engineering projects, plant operations, and maintenance activities.

  • Oversee the design and specification of field instruments (flow, pressure, temperature, level, gas detection, analyzers).

  • Ensure compliance with applicable international standards (API, IEC, ISA) and project specifications.

  • Manage a multidisciplinary team of engineers, supervisors, and technicians across multiple sites.

  • Drive standardization of instrumentation practices, documentation, and engineering tools across the organization.

  • Review and approve instrument datasheets, loop diagrams, I/O lists, and integration with control systems (DCS, PLC).

  • Supervise vendor selection, procurement, FAT, and commissioning of instrumentation systems.

  • Support functional safety lifecycle activities including SIL assessment and verification.

  • Provide technical guidance for maintenance strategies, calibration, diagnostics, and troubleshooting.

  • Develop and manage instrumentation budgets, resource plans, and training initiatives.

  • Collaborate with control, electrical, process, and mechanical teams for multidisciplinary alignment.


Key Focus Areas:

  • Instrumentation Engineering Standards and Governance

  • Field Instrument Selection, Sizing, and Configuration

  • Integration with DCS, PLC, SCADA, and ESD Systems

  • Functional Safety and SIL Compliance (IEC 61511)

  • Reliability, Calibration, and Maintenance Optimization

  • Team Leadership and Talent Development

  • Vendor and Contractor Management

  • Instrumentation for Hazardous Areas (ATEX/IECEx compliance)

  • Project Delivery Support (FEED to Commissioning)

  • Digitalization and Smart Instrumentation Initiatives


Qualifications:

  • Bachelor’s degree in Instrumentation, Electrical, Electronics, or Control Engineering (Master’s preferred)

  • Minimum 15+ years of relevant experience in instrumentation in the oil & gas industry

  • Proven leadership experience managing large instrumentation teams or departments

  • Strong knowledge of industry standards (API, IEC, ISA, NEC, ISO)

  • Experience with DCS, PLC, SCADA systems and associated I/O architectures

  • Certification in functional safety (TÜV, CFSE, or equivalent) is a plus

  • Excellent communication, planning, and organizational skills

Job Detail
  • Work Type: Full Time
  • Languages to be known : Arabic, English
  • Country: United Arab Emirates
  • City: Dubai
  • Job Category : Oil and Gas