Lead Instrument Engineer – SCADA Design
Chronos Consulting – Engineering the Future of Oil & Gas Innovation
Company Name: Chronos Consulting
Position Title: Lead Instrument Engineer – SCADA Design
Location: Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Industry: Oil & Gas, Petrochemical, Automation
Employment Type: Full-Time (Senior-Level)
Last Date to Apply: July 31, 2025 (suggested deadline)
Apply Email: amoss@chronosconsulting.com
Official Website: www.chronosconsulting.com (optional to include)
Chronos Consulting is a global recruitment and engineering services company that has earned a reputation for sourcing top-tier talent and delivering technical solutions across the energy, industrial, and technology sectors. Headquartered in Geneva, with operational hubs across the Middle East, Europe, and North America, Chronos Consulting has established itself as a trusted partner for some of the world’s leading energy producers, EPC contractors, and technology integrators.
In the Gulf region, particularly the United Arab Emirates, Chronos Consulting plays a central role in providing expert personnel and engineering support to long-term projects within the oil & gas, petrochemical, chemical, and infrastructure sectors. The company specializes not only in traditional staffing but also in offering turnkey project support, technical consulting, and embedded teams across onshore and offshore installations.
Their Abu Dhabi office, strategically located at the heart of the Middle East’s hydrocarbon economy, caters to a broad spectrum of clients—ranging from ADNOC Group entities to private engineering and procurement contractors. With projects increasingly incorporating digital automation, cyber-physical systems, and real-time monitoring, Chronos Consulting continues to seek engineers who can bridge traditional oilfield practices with next-generation instrumentation and control systems.
As part of their current expansion in the UAE, Chronos Consulting is seeking an experienced Lead Instrument Engineer to join a major instrumentation and SCADA systems integration project in Abu Dhabi. This is a senior role that requires deep experience in instrument engineering for oil & gas and petrochemical applications, including SCADA design and implementation.
Job Description
The Lead Instrument Engineer will play a vital role in designing, executing, and supporting control and instrumentation systems on complex industrial projects in the Middle East. The position is primarily based in Abu Dhabi, with occasional site visits and client interactions depending on project phases.
This role reports directly to both the Line Manager – Instrumentation and the assigned Project Manager, and involves leading multidisciplinary teams, reviewing designs, and ensuring project delivery on time, on budget, and in compliance with international standards.
Core Responsibilities
Project Engineering and Design
- Lead the development of instrumentation and control system designs, including all documentation, drawings, and specifications.
- Provide technical leadership for all instrumentation aspects of EPC projects, including field instrumentation, control valves, and DCS/PLC/SCADA integration.
- Develop and review instrument index, I/O lists, loop diagrams, wiring diagrams, and hook-up drawings.
SCADA Design and Integration
- Lead the design, configuration, and implementation of SCADA systems, ensuring real-time data acquisition, monitoring, and control.
- Work with system integrators, PLC/DCS vendors, and software developers to ensure compatibility and performance of SCADA platforms.
- Ensure that telemetry, remote terminal units (RTUs), and communication protocols (Modbus, Profibus, Ethernet, etc.) are properly implemented.
Vendor and Client Coordination
- Evaluate and select instrument vendors, coordinate with procurement for technical clarifications, and perform vendor document reviews.
- Participate in client meetings, design reviews, and coordination meetings with process, mechanical, electrical, and civil disciplines.
- Review and approve vendor deliverables including P&IDs, datasheets, and FAT/SAT documents.
Quality and Compliance
- Ensure that all engineering work is performed in compliance with:
- International codes and standards such as ISA, IEC, API, and NEC.
- Client specifications and project design philosophies.
- Participate in HAZOP, SIL, LOPA and other risk assessments as required.
Construction and Commissioning Support
- Provide technical support during the construction, pre-commissioning, and commissioning phases of the project.
- Conduct field inspections, punch-list clearing, and loop checking.
- Lead or support FATs (Factory Acceptance Tests) and SATs (Site Acceptance Tests) for instrument and control systems.
Leadership and Mentoring
- Manage a team of junior and mid-level instrument engineers, designers, and draftsmen.
- Support recruitment, training, and knowledge transfer within the instrumentation department.
- Ensure that project deliverables are in line with project schedules and quality plans.
This is a senior-level role with high responsibility and requires both technical depth and project execution experience, particularly in Middle Eastern oil & gas environments.
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants for the Lead Instrument Engineer position must demonstrate a blend of academic excellence, extensive field experience, and a strategic mindset to lead large-scale instrumentation projects in industrial settings.
Educational Qualifications
- A Bachelor’s degree or higher in Instrumentation Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or Electronics Engineering.
- Degrees such as B.E., B.Tech., BSc. or MSc. are acceptable, provided they are from a recognized university or engineering institute.
Professional Experience
- A minimum of 15 years of professional engineering experience in instrumentation and automation, with proven project involvement in the oil & gas, petrochemical, or chemical industries.
- Significant experience in SCADA system architecture, design, and implementation is essential.
- Hands-on familiarity with field instrumentation, including:
- Pressure, temperature, flow, and level sensors
- Control valves and actuators
- Transmitters and signal converters
- Demonstrated experience in DCS/PLC/SCADA platforms such as:
- Honeywell Experion
- Siemens PCS7
- Emerson DeltaV
- ABB 800xA
- Or equivalent systems
Standards and Compliance
- Deep understanding of international and regional engineering codes and standards, including:
- ISA, API, IEC, NEC, ISO, and ATEX
- Experience participating in or leading:
- Hazard and Operability Studies (HAZOP)
- Safety Integrity Level (SIL) assessments
- Layer of Protection Analysis (LOPA)
Software and Technical Tools
- Strong command of:
- AutoCAD, SPI (SmartPlant Instrumentation), INtools, or AVEVA Instrumentation
- MS Project or Primavera for project scheduling
- Familiarity with data historians, network architectures, and cybersecurity protocols for SCADA systems
Additional Advantage
- Telecommunications knowledge (Fiber optics, IP-based systems, industrial Ethernet, radio telemetry) is a plus and may be required in future projects involving remote asset monitoring.
Soft Skills and Leadership
- Strong communication and coordination skills, especially when dealing with multi-cultural teams and international vendors.
- Proven leadership and mentoring ability, with an aptitude for guiding junior engineers through complex project challenges.
- A proactive approach to problem-solving, risk assessment, and innovation in system optimization.
Location
The position is based in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, with potential site visits across UAE and occasional coordination with international offices or clients.
The role may require travel to:
- EPC contractor offices
- Fabrication yards
- Client project sites (onshore or offshore)
Candidates already based in the UAE or open to relocation will be given preference.
Last Date
The job posting does not mention a specific deadline. However, interested candidates are encouraged to apply as early as possible to be considered in the current hiring cycle.
To allow for a reasonable application window, we suggest July 31, 2025 as the tentative deadline.
Apply Link
To apply for the Lead Instrument Engineer – SCADA Design role at Chronos Consulting, please send your updated CV to the following address:
In the subject line, please include:
Application – Lead Instrument Engineer – [Your Name]
Attach your updated resume and ensure it includes:
- Education and certifications
- Detailed project history (especially SCADA projects)
- Key industries worked in (oil & gas, chemical, etc.)
- References or professional endorsements, if available
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