Wood is looking for Operations & Maintenance Lead to join our Engineering team in Sharjah, UAE.
Wood is a global leader in consulting and engineering, helping to unlock solutions to critical challenges in energy and materials markets. We provide consulting, projects and operations solutions in 60 countries, employing around 35,000 people. www.woodplc.com
Diversity Statement We are an equal opportunity employer that recognises the value of a diverse workforce. All suitably qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment on the basis of objective criteria and without regard to the following (which is a non-exhaustive list): race, colour, age, religion, gender, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, protected veteran status, or other characteristics in accordance with the relevant governing laws.
Responsibilities:
Remarkable people, trusted by clients to design and advance the world.
Wood is looking for Operations & Maintenance Lead to join our Engineering team in Sharjah, UAE.
#Wood #Sharjah #UAE # Operations & Maintenance Lead
The role
This is an exciting opportunity for Operations & Maintenance Lead to join our UAE Business Unit.
Our Clients and Projects
Designing the future. Transforming the world.
Wood is an integral part of operations in Iraq, and we are continuing to grow our footprint across the country. With a 90-year heritage, 10 major contracts and over 850 employees, we have the skills, expertise and asset knowledge to support clients to deliver energy security and decarbonisation ambitions.
Wood excels in supporting our clients to deliver complex upstream and midstream oil and gas projects in Iraq delivering maintenance, modifications and engineering solutions. We are committed to decarbonising existing assets, producing cleaner energy and developing a sustainable national workforce, ensuring the long-term growth of the region
What we can offer
- Meaningful and interesting projects Delivered to high profile clients and complex projects in Iraq
- Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion; we are an organisation actively committed to diversity and inclusion across our business with employee networks committed to giving all employees a voice
- Competitive salary with regular salary reviews to ensure we are rewarding at the right level in line with the market
- Commitment to continued professional development; development plans that are tailored to your individual needs and interests
- Global connections: join experts around the world who are at the leading edge of our industry, shaping the standards of our profession
- Medical Insurance: Ensures inpatient and outpatient medical care is available should you require treatment.
- Group Life and Personal Accident Insurance: The company provides Life Assurance cover
- The Employee Share Plan: Gives you the opportunity to purchase Wood shares and receive a match from the company
- Long Service Award: Wood values the commitment and loyalty of our people. Celebrating Long Service provides an opportunity for the business to demonstrate their appreciation of the hard work, dedication and many years’ services of our employees at 5-year service milestones
Role Purpose:
- The Operations & Maintenance Lead is responsible for overseeing the safe, reliable, and efficient operation of field production facilities, utilities, and supporting infrastructure within the Kirkuk project. This role ensures O&M activities are executed in compliance with international standards, local regulations, and company HSE protocols, while supporting production targets and optimizing asset integrity.
Key Responsibilities:
Operations Management:
- Oversee day to day operations of surface facilities, processing units, wells, pipelines, and utilities.
- Ensure seamless coordination between operations, maintenance, HSE, engineering, and field teams.
- Monitor production KPIs and troubleshoot operational deviations.
- Implement standard operating procedures (SOPs) and ensure compliance.
Maintenance Leadership:
- Develop and execute preventive, predictive, and corrective maintenance programs for mechanical, electrical, and instrumentation systems.
- Lead maintenance planning, scheduling, and prioritization to minimize downtime.
- Manage maintenance technicians and contractors to ensure timely work execution.
- Ensure the integrity of rotating equipment, static equipment, and critical systems.
HSE & Compliance:
- Champion a strong safety culture across all operations and maintenance teams.
- Enforce compliance with Iraq oilfield regulations, company HSE policies, and international best practices.
- Conduct toolbox talks, incident reviews, and ensure implementation of corrective actions.
- Support risk assessments, work permits, SIMOPS, and emergency response plans.
Asset Integrity & Reliability:
- Support reliability engineering initiatives, including RCA (Root Cause Analysis), FMECA, and equipment life cycle management.
- Ensure integrity compliance for pressure vessels, pipelines, lifting equipment, and safety critical elements.
- Review CMMS (e.g., SAP/Maximo) data accuracy and integrity.
Team Leadership & Development:
- Lead, train, and mentor local Iraqi staff and expat technicians.
- Foster a culture of accountability, technical competence, and continuous improvement.
- Ensure competency development plans for O&M personnel are implemented.
Stakeholder Coordination:
- Liaise with internal stakeholders (engineering, logistics, procurement, drilling, completions).
- Coordinate with external stakeholders including government bodies, contractors, and JV partners.
- Provide daily, weekly, and monthly operations reports to management.
Project & Upgrade Support:
- Support facility upgrades, brownfield modifications, and commissioning activities.
- Participate in technical evaluations, FAT/SAT, and readiness reviews for new equipment.
- Ensure smooth integration of new systems into ongoing operations.
Qualifications:
What makes you remarkable?
At Wood, we are committed to equal opportunities and welcome all talented individuals to consider joining our team. So even if you don't match every statement below but feel you have some of the experience, knowledge or skills needed for this role, we encourage you to apply. It will take all of us working together to deliver solutions to the world’s most critical challenges.
Education:
- Bachelor’s degree in mechanical, or equivalent.
Professional Experience:
- 15+ years of O&M experience in oil & gas production facilities, preferably Middle East operations.
- Strong field experience with surface facilities, CPF, water injection, gas handling, pumps, compressors, and rotating equipment.
- Previous experience in Iraq or similar high complexity international projects preferred.
Technical Skills:
- Strong knowledge of oil & gas production processes.
- Proficiency in CMMS tools (SAP, Maximo).
- Understanding of HSE standards (API, OSHA, ISO).
- Ability to read P&IDs, PFDs, equipment specs, maintenance manuals.
Soft Skills:
- Strong leadership and communication skills.
- Ability to work under pressure and in remote field conditions.
- Cultural awareness and adaptability in multicultural teams.
- Strong problem solving and decision making abilities.
