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.
Perform conceptual, FEED, and detailed analyses and Design as per Design basis, project specifications, design codes, and standards
Prepare explicit and accurate detailed design calculations and analyses, including design reports and procedures
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
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
Maintain close coordination with other engineering disciplines, Planning, and Project Management Team, as required
Prepare estimates for bid proposals, including technical query reviews, execution statements, and manhour estimates, identifying software requirements and any other project-specific requirements
Prepare, review, and (as Lead Engineer) approve Discipline engineering design basis, philosophies, and technical specifications
Review project schedule and fabrication schedule in relation to construction sequence, milestones, and engineering scope
Attend project kickoff and review meetings, vendor meetings, engineering meetings, and site surveys, as required
Provide technical direction and review of Designers producing products related to Mechanical Engineering
Review and (as Lead Engineer) approve vendor and subcontractor submittals, checking for compliance with project specifications and providing comments as necessary
Keep the Discipline Manager and Project Management Team apprised of all activities and concerns, technical, budgetary, and workforce-related




Assist in providing inputs for actual, planning, and forecasting progress reports, including associated productivity
Check final subcontractor and vendor data manuals to ensure that all requested data has been received and approved
Present issues and problems to Customers in a timely manner and assist the Lead Engineer in negotiating resolutions in accordance with project and company requirements
Perform (as required) Technical Quality Audit reviews in accordance with MOR Global Procedures
Guide less experienced engineers on MOR and Discipline procedures, standards, worksheets, design calculations, software, requisitions, technical bid evaluations, technical queries, etc
Supervise and guide assigned engineers and coordinate with project Lead Designers for Discipline engineering and design deliverables
Assist in the maintenance of departmental technical guidelines
Participate in the development and maintenance of Global Procedures, Software, and Standards
Identify and provide training to staff in specific techniques and proprietary software
Provide information on employee performance to the Discipline Manager
Check/prepare and (as Lead Engineer) Approve Mechanical equipment list, spare parts list, special tools list
Check/prepare/participate in Approval of detailed engineering documents/ deliverables such as:
Mechanical Equipment Specifications and datasheets
Mechanical handling philosophy report and associated requisitioning for handling equipment
Noise report prepared by a consultant to ensure it complies with Project requirements
Lubrication schedule, spare parts schedule
Assist with equipment inspection and testing
Participate in Factory Acceptance Testing of various items as assigned
Identify vendor assistance for installation, pre-commissioning, and commissioning purposes
Update electrical load list, P&IDs;, and equipment lists based on receipt of vendor information
Participate in 3D model reviews, as necessary
Provide inputs to Piping Design, including package/equipment supplier data
Identify project staff needs based on knowledge of individual engineers' skill sets and provide requests to the Discipline manager
Act as project-based Discipline point of contact in communications and meetings with Customer counterparts
Prepare the bid's and project's Discipline engineering budget and execution plans, updating as required




Identify project staff needs based on knowledge of individual engineers' skill sets and provide requests to the Discipline manager
Provide Discipline inputs for actual, planning, and forecasting progress reports, including associated productivity
Alert the project team of any deviation from the scope or a need for a change order
Monitor progress measurement results and take corrective action as necessary to improve Discipline performance, including performance at interfaces with others
Lead the Discipline team during project audits (internal, Customer, and third-party technical audits) and Design Reviews
Assist the Discipline manager in the preparation of quarterly forecasts and workforce planning
Anticipate project engineering needs and plan accordingly
Assist the Discipline manager and Project Engineering Manager or Project Manager in the Performance Evaluation of project team members
Check and Approve Mechanical equipment list, spare parts list, and special tools list
Check and Participate in Approval of detailed engineering documents/deliverables such as:
Mechanical Equipment Specifications and datasheets
Mechanical handling philosophy report and associated requisitioning for handling equipment
Noise report prepared by a consultant to ensure it complies with Project requirements
Lubrication schedule, spare parts schedule

Project: Lead Engineer, Project Engineering Manager or Project Manager
Liaises With: All Engineering disciplines, Safety Department, Project Management Team, Document Control, Project Planner,
Project Cost Controller, QC and Certification Group, Procurement Group, Subcontractors, Vendors, and Customers
Supervises: Senior Mechanical Engineers, Mechanical Engineers, and Associated Engineers
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
- HSE, TQM and cost-conscious
- Fluent in the English language
- 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

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📌 Principal Engineer - Mechanical (Site Engineering) (Chennai)
🏢 McDermott International
📍 Chennai