Position Summary
We are looking for a hands-on Site Mechanical Engineer to lead the construction, repair and rework of aboveground storage tanks — both new tank erection and modification / repair of existing (in-service and out-of-service) tanks. The role covers day-to-day site execution, welding and quality control, NDT and testing, painting/coating/insulation/cladding supervision, and direct interface with the Client and Third-Party Inspection.
The successful candidate will own the technical and quality record of the tank scope: raising and closing MIRs and WIRs, running inspections against the approved ITP, issuing progress reports, and preparing replies to Client comments on drawings, method statements and quality documents. This is a lead role for someone who stays organised and decisive under schedule pressure.
Key Responsibilities
- Site Execution & Leadership
- Lead the site mechanical team (foremen, fitters, welders, riggers, scaffolders) for tank erection, dismantling, repair and rework activities.
- Execute new tank construction to API 650 (petroleum/petrochemical) and AWWA D100 (welded steel water tanks), including bottom laying, shell erection (jacking or conventional), roof structure, nozzles, appurtenances and internals.
- Plan and supervise rework and repair of existing tanks: shell/bottom plate replacement, annular plate renewal, lap-patch and insert-plate repairs, roof and floating-roof repairs, nozzle re-pad and re-rating, settlement correction, and re-inspection to API 653 principles.
- Review IFC drawings, isometrics, GADs and shop details; verify constructability and raise TQs/RFIs for any discrepancy before work starts.
- Control plate marking, cutting, rolling, fit-up, alignment, roundness, plumbness, peaking and banding tolerances within code limits.
- Coordinate with civil, E&I, piping and scaffolding disciplines; manage material take-off, receipt and site stock to keep the front open.
- Drive daily/weekly targets, resource loading and look-ahead schedules to protect the completion date.
- Welding Engineering & Inspection
- Verify WPS, PQR and WPQ/WQT qualification in accordance with ASME Section IX (and AWS D1.1 where applicable) prior to production welding.
- Conduct welder performance qualification testing, maintain the welder register, continuity records and welder identification/stamp control.
- Monitor essential variables in production: joint preparation, fit-up gap, root gap, preheat/interpass temperature, consumable control (baking, holding, issue and return), heat input and welding sequence to control distortion.
- Perform visual weld inspection before, during and after welding; identify defects, issue and track repair maps, verify repair welding and re-inspection.
- Control weld traceability: weld maps, weld numbering, welder-to-joint traceability and repair rate monitoring.
- Quality Testing & NDT
- Implement and sign off the approved ITP and quality plan for each tank.
- Plan, witness and evaluate NDT: RT, UT, MT, PT, VT, vacuum box testing, diesel/kerosene penetration testing of lap welds, and air testing of reinforcing pads.
- Supervise hydrostatic testing: fill/discharge plan, fill rates and hold periods, foundation settlement survey readings, tank tightness verification, and safe dewatering and disposal.
- Verify calibration status of all inspection, measuring and test equipment.
- Carry out material verification: MTC/mill certificate review, PMI where specified, heat number traceability and marking transfer.
- Raise, investigate and close NCRs, punch lists and site observations; drive root-cause and corrective action.
- Documentation, MIR / WIR & Approvals
- Raise, submit and follow through Material Inspection Requests (MIR) and Work Inspection Requests (WIR) with the Client and Third-Party Inspector — including scheduling, hold/witness point notification and closure.
- Prepare and submit method statements, ITPs, JSAs, inspection checklists and test packs for approval.
- Prepare structured, technically sound replies to Client and consultant comments on drawings, submittals and quality documents; track comment status through to code A/approval.
- Compile the final QA/QC dossier / handover package: as-built drawings, MTCs, welder qualifications, weld maps, NDT reports, hydrotest and settlement records, coating and insulation records, calibration certificates and release notes.
- Progress Reporting & Client Interface
- Issue daily, weekly and monthly progress reports covering physical progress, manpower and equipment histograms, weld and NDT statistics, quality metrics, delays, constraints and recovery actions.
- Update planned vs. actual progress (S-curve), support the planning engineer with earned-value inputs and change/variation notification.
- Represent the company in site progress and technical meetings; present status clearly and defend the technical position with code references.
- Act as first point of contact for the Client, PMC and Third-Party Inspectors on all tank-related technical matters.
- Painting, Coating, Insulation & Cladding
- Supervise surface preparation and blasting to the specified standard (e.g. SSPC-SP / ISO 8501-1 Sa 2½), and verify surface profile, cleanliness, salt contamination, dust and ambient conditions (temperature, RH, dew point, steel temperature) before application.
- Monitor coating application, WFT/DFT readings, recoat intervals, curing, holiday/pinhole testing and adhesion testing; verify internal linings where applicable.
- Supervise thermal insulation and cladding: insulation material and thickness verification, banding, weather sealing, aluminium/stainless cladding installation, vapour barrier integrity and finishing quality.
- Verify coating and insulation records form part of the handover dossier.
- HSE & Compliance
- Enforce site HSE requirements: confined space entry, work at height, hot work permits, lifting operations, scaffolding inspection, gas testing and LOTO.
- Ensure all activities comply with the permit-to-work system, project specifications and Client standards (e.g. Saudi Aramco SAES/SAIC, SABIC, Royal Commission or municipal water authority requirements as applicable)
Bachelor's degree (or Diploma with strong equivalent site record) in Mechanical Engineering.
5 to 10 years' experience in aboveground storage tank construction, repair and inspection — including a proven record on both new tanks and rework/repair of existing tanks.
Valid Saudi driving licence (mandatory) and willingness to travel between site locations.
Welding inspection certification — CSWIP 3.1, AWS CWI or equivalent recognised qualification.
NDT certification — ASNT Level II (or ISO 9712 Level II) in RT, UT, MT and PT (minimum two methods; RT/UT interpretation preferred).
Demonstrated working knowledge of API 650, API 653, AWWA D100, ASME Section IX and ASME Section V.
Transferable Iqama / valid right to work in KSA (for candidates already in Kingdom).
