Lead Contracts Engineer – Offshore Island Project

About the role

The Lead Contracts Engineer will oversee all contractual and commercial aspects of a major offshore island development project for KBR. Based in Abu Dhabi with an interim relocation to Spain before returning to the UAE, the role protects the company’s commercial interests while ensuring compliance with contract terms, project requirements and applicable regulations.

Key responsibilities

• Lead administration of EPC, EPCM, construction, marine, dredging, reclamation, infrastructure and service contracts.
• Review, interpret and advise project teams on contractual rights, obligations, risks and opportunities.
• Manage variation orders, change requests and contractual correspondence, including claims related to extensions of time, disruption and additional costs.
• Support contract negotiations, amendments, variations and close‑out activities.
• Work closely with project controls, procurement, engineering, construction and legal teams to evaluate commercial impacts of project changes.
• Monitor contractor performance against contractual milestones and deliverables.
• Identify, analyse and mitigate contractual and commercial risks, maintaining risk registers.
• Interface with clients, consultants, contractors, subcontractors and joint‑venture partners, leading contractual meetings and providing guidance to project leadership.

Required profile

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering (mandatory); Master's degree or MBA advantageous.
• Minimum 18 + years of contract management experience on major infrastructure, marine, offshore, energy or oil & gas projects.
• Proven experience with offshore island developments, dredging, reclamation, marine works or large‑scale civil infrastructure.
• Strong background in EPC/EPCM contracts and managing complex claims and dispute resolution.

Required skills

• In‑depth knowledge of FIDIC, NEC and other EPC contract forms.
• Expertise in contract administration, commercial management and change management.
• Understanding of project controls, planning and cost management principles.
• Proficiency with contract management systems and Microsoft Office applications.