Production Engineer

Job Purpose The Production Engineer will be responsible for managing the complete production cycle, including design review, technical evaluation, estimation, material planning, fabrication, manpower management, cost control, and final delivery. The ideal candidate must possess strong engineering knowledge, practical fabrication experience, good commercial and estimation skills, and the leadership ability to manage the workshop team independently. Key Responsibilities A. Design and Engineering • Review customer inquiries, technical specifications, scope of work, and engineering drawings. • Understand and interpret structural, mechanical, piping, and tank fabrication drawings. • Coordinate the preparation and modification of designs according to customer requirements and applicable engineering standards. • Perform or coordinate preliminary design calculations, material selection, and dimensional verification as required. • Ensure designs are practical, cost-effective, and suitable for fabrication, transportation, installation, and intended service. • Coordinate with clients, consultants, and third-party inspection agencies on technical clarifications and drawing approvals. • Identify design discrepancies and resolve technical issues before production starts. B. Estimation and Costing • Review RFQs and prepare technical and commercial cost estimates • Calculate material quantities, steel plate and structural section requirements, piping materials, bought-out items, and consumables. • Estimate fabrication man-hours, welding requirements, machining, surface preparation, painting, coating, assembly, and testing costs. • Prepare detailed BOMs, material take-offs (MTOs), and manufacturing cost breakdowns. • Estimate project timelines and manpower requirements. • Coordinate with procurement to obtain material and subcontractor quotations. • Identify cost-saving opportunities without compromising quality or technical compliance. • Support the sales and commercial teams in preparing quotations, reviewing technical requirements, and clarifying project scope. C. Fabrication and Production Management • Lead and supervise all workshop fabrication and production activities from job commencement to final completion. • Plan and monitor production schedules to meet customer delivery commitments. • Supervise cutting, rolling, fit-up, welding, grinding, assembly, piping, finishing, and painting activities. Manage the fabrication of: • 500 BBL storage tanks for acid, crude oil, and water. • Chemical transportation tankers and axle-mounted frac tanks. • DNV-certified frames, equipment skids, lifting baskets, and structural steel assemblies. • Office and site caravans. • Pumps, piping systems, and associated process equipment. • Cement silos, batch mixers, and customized oilfield equipment. • Ensure fabrication work follows approved drawings, specifications, welding procedures, and applicable codes. • Allocate work to supervisors, welders, fabricators, fitters, helpers, and other production personnel. • Monitor job progress, identify production bottlenecks, and implement corrective measures. • Ensure proper utilization of workshop machinery, tools, equipment, and manpower. D. Team Leadership and Workshop Management • Lead, motivate, and supervise the production team to achieve planned targets. • Assign responsibilities and establish daily, weekly, and monthly production priorities. • Monitor individual and team productivity, attendance, overtime, and work quality. • Train and guide workshop personnel on fabrication methods, drawings, quality requirements, and safe working practices. • Coordinate with engineering, procurement, QC, stores, logistics, and management. • Maintain workshop discipline, housekeeping, and efficient use of available resources. • Take ownership of production challenges and provide practical solutions. E. Project Monitoring, Cost Control, and Reporting • Track project progress against approved schedules, budgets, and customer delivery dates. • Monitor actual material consumption and manpower hours against estimated costs. • Prepare daily production reports and weekly project progress updates. • Report delays, material shortages, technical issues, cost overruns, and corrective actions to management. • Ensure jobs are completed within budget and agreed timelines. • Coordinate final inspection, completion, documentation, and dispatch of finished products. F. Health, Safety, and Environmental Compliance • Ensure compliance with company HSE policies and applicable workshop safety requirements. • Monitor safe welding, cutting, grinding, lifting, material handling, and other fabrication activities. • Ensure proper use of PPE and adherence to hot-work and lifting safety procedures. • Maintain safe working conditions and promptly address unsafe practices. • Bachelor's degree or diploma in Mechanical Engineering, Production Engineering, or a related engineering discipline. • Minimum 5–8 years of relevant experience in oilfield equipment fabrication, heavy fabrication, tank manufacturing, or industrial equipment production. • Proven experience in leading a fabrication workshop or production team. • Strong knowledge of engineering drawings, fabrication methods, welding processes, structural steel, tanks, skids, and mechanical assemblies. • Demonstrated experience in technical estimation, material take-offs, BOM preparation, and fabrication costing. • Good understanding of relevant fabrication codes and standards, such as API 650, ASME requirements, and applicable structural or lifting equipment standards, as relevant to the project. • Familiarity with AutoCAD and MS Office; knowledge of SolidWorks or other 3D design software is an advantage. • Experience in the UAE oilfield industry is preferred. Essential Skills and Competencies • Strong technical knowledge of design, estimation, fabrication, and production planning. • Ability to independently evaluate RFQs and convert technical requirements into manufacturing plans and cost estimates. • Excellent leadership, team management, and problem-solving skills. • Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings and technical specifications. • Strong commercial awareness and cost-control capabilities. • Ability to manage multiple fabrication projects simultaneously. • Effective communication and coordination with customers, suppliers, inspectors, and internal departments. • A practical, hands-on approach with a strong focus on quality, productivity, and timely delivery. Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) The Production Engineer will be evaluated based on: • On-time completion and delivery of fabrication projects. • Accuracy of material take-offs and fabrication cost estimates. • Production efficiency and achievement of planned targets. • Control of material wastage, labour costs, and rework. • Quality compliance and successful completion of customer inspections. • Effective utilization of manpower, machinery, and workshop resources. • Timely preparation of production schedules and progress reports. • Leadership, discipline, and productivity of the production team. Overall Accountability The Production Engineer will take ownership of the complete fabrication and production function, ensuring that each project is properly evaluated, designed or coordinated, estimated, planned, manufactured, inspected, and delivered in accordance with customer requirements, approved budgets, quality standards, and committed timelines.