Senior Project EngineerEPC Project (FEED Phase)Company: SEGI
Project: Al Sadr Simple Cycle to Combined Cycle Conversion Project - EPC (FEED phase)
Location: United States, where FEED execution is expected; may be embedded in the FEED contractor's office
Reports to: Project Manager (Al Sadr Project), based on site in Iraq
Direct reports: None direct; manages the FEED contractor (contractual) and site investigation contractors (with the site team)
Position SummaryThe Senior Project Engineer leads SEGI's engineering during the pre-FEED and Front-End Engineering Design (FEED) phase of the Al Sadr project. SEGI holds the turnkey EPC contract with the Iraqi Ministry of Electricity (MoE) and will self-manage construction, so the FEED must fix a design basis SEGI can build and guarantee under a fixed-price contract. The role leads pre-FEED definition and existing-plant data collection from MoE, working through the Project Manager and site team in Iraq, alongside day-to-day technical management of the FEED contractor. A Project Engineer may be considered where EPC and brownfield experience is strong. EPC contractor experience is mandatory.
The existing Al Sadr plant operates four Siemens gas turbines in simple cycle (two SGT5-2000E and two V94.2 units, with different exhaust conditions). The project adds HRSGs, steam turbines and air-cooled condensers, tied into the operating plant, existing stacks, and switchyard. The FEED contractor will not visit site, so site and MoE information comes through SEGI's project team in Iraq.
Key ResponsibilitiesPre-FEED & Design Basis Definition- Lead definition of the project design basis before and during early FEED: fuel basis and quality (gas and liquid fuels), design ambient conditions, emissions limits, cooling, water supply and wastewater discharge, and grid connection.
- Flow down the MoE contract's technical requirements, codes and standards, and performance guarantees into the FEED scope, so the FEED is back-to-back with SEGI's obligations.
- Define the plant configuration questions the FEED must close, including HRSG and steam turbine arrangement for the two GT types and the bypass damper and stack interface.
- Identify where existing equipment must be assessed for combined-cycle operation (GT exhaust back-pressure, controls, electrical capacity, auxiliaries) and get that scope agreed and resourced.
- Support FEED contractor selection: technical evaluation, clarifications and closing out scope exclusions before award.
MoE & Existing Plant Data Collection- Build and own the data request register and assumptions log for the existing plant.
- Obtain and verify existing-plant information from MoE and plant management, through the Project Manager and site team: as-built drawings, P&IDs, single-line diagrams, protection settings, the power system study model, operating and performance records, fuel and water analyses, and permits.
- Secure GT data from Siemens Energy (directly or through MoE's service arrangements) needed for the heat balance, HRSG design and controls integration.
- Define walkdown, verification and photographic survey requests for the site team, and review the results, since the FEED contractor will not visit site.
- Coordinate with the grid operator on connection, switchyard, and study requirements.
- Establish the MoE design review and approval process and manage MoE comments on FEED deliverables.
Site Investigations- Manage the site survey, 3D laser scan, ground-penetrating radar, and geotechnical investigation contracts with local contractors: scope, bid evaluation, award support, and review of deliverables and data quality, with on-site supervision by the site team.
- Keep these investigations on schedule, as they sit on the FEED critical path (civil design, layout, and tie-ins).
FEED Contractor Management- Act as SEGI's day-to-day technical lead for the FEED contractor, managing technical queries, RFIs and interface registers.
- Coordinate SEGI's review of FEED deliverables (design basis, heat and mass balances, PFDs, P&IDs, single-line diagrams, specifications, 3D model, cost estimate basis) within the contract review periods.
- Assess change requests against the contract scope and exclusions and challenge unsupported claims.
- Track progress and milestones and flag schedule risks early.
- Lead or take part in design reviews, HAZID/HAZOP, constructability, and operability reviews.
EPC Readiness- Make sure the Construction Contractor RFP package is complete enough for firm fixed-price bids: scope splits, tie-ins, interfaces, and a division of responsibility matrix.
- Review the AACE Class 3 estimate and Level 2 EPC schedule for completeness and realism, drawing on EPC execution experience.
- Support early vendor engagement and long-lead specifications (HRSGs, steam turbines, ACCs, GSU transformers, HV switchgear).
- Close out the FEED with a complete record of decisions, assumptions and lessons learned.
Communication with the Site Project Manager & Reporting- Maintain constant communication with the Project Manager on site: a daily exchange on data requests, MoE issues and priorities, a weekly coordination call, and a shared action and data tracker.
- Work across the US-Iraq time difference, including early-morning overlap, so site queries are answered within one working day.
- Produce monthly engineering reports and maintain the technical risk register, decisions register and document control on the project platform.
QualificationsEducation- Bachelor's degree in mechanical, Electrical or Chemical Engineering; chartered or PE status preferred.
Experience- Senior Project Engineer: 15+ years' experience, including 8+ years in power generation. Project Engineer: 10+ years, including 5+ in power generation.
- At least 5 years with an EPC contractor on gas-fired power plants (CCGT, OCGT, HRSG or steam turbine), covering the engineering, procurement and construction interfaces on lump-sum or fixed-price contracts. Owner's engineer or consultancy experience alone does not meet this requirement.
- At least one project followed from engineering through construction and commissioning.
- Experience managing or reviewing FEED or basic engineering delivered by third-party engineering consultants.
- Brownfield experience: tie-ins to operating plants, working with existing-plant data of uneven quality, and outage-dependent works. Simple-to-combined-cycle conversion experience strongly preferred.
- Experience working with government utilities or state owners in the Middle East, including collecting data, and obtaining design approvals; Iraq / Ministry of Electricity experience preferred.
Skills & Competencies- Working knowledge of IEC and ASME codes, performance testing (ASME PTC), and AACE estimate classification.
- Siemens E-class gas turbines (SGT5-2000E / V94.2) and their exhaust and controls interface an advantage.
- HRSG and SCR design for plants firing liquid fuels, and air-cooled condensers in high-ambient climates, an advantage.
- Managing site survey, laser scan, and geotechnical investigation contracts; HAZID/HAZOP participation or facilitation.
- Commercial awareness of engineering contracts: scope, exclusions, change orders, and claims.
- Aconex, Primavera P6 and 3D model review tools.
- Fluent written and spoken English; able to work effectively with a remote site team, including regular early-morning calls with Iraq. Arabic language skills a plus.
Working Conditions- Position is based in the United States, where FEED execution is expected; the role may need to be embedded in the FEED contractor's office.
- No travel to Iraq is envisaged; site and MoE engagement run through the project team on site.
- Regular early-morning calls to overlap with the site team in Iraq.
