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- Tasks: Lead construction strategies and ensure safe, efficient project execution in the oil and gas sector.
- Company: Join a rapidly growing team at Costain, focused on resilience and innovation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career growth opportunities, and a diverse work environment.
- Other info: Minimum 3 days a week on-site; we value diverse perspectives and unique skills.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on energy supply while developing your skills in a dynamic industry.
- Qualifications: Experience in construction management and strong understanding of engineering principles required.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
Due to continued growth we are looking for a Lead/Principal Construction Engineer to join our Resilience team, based in Aberdeen. Our Resilience team operates across the Oil and Gas market to support our customers to extend asset life, decarbonise and ensure a resilient and secure energy supply for the UK. We operate across the project lifecycle, from Feasibility Studies, through FEED and into Detailed Engineering and Procurement for Customers such as INEOS FPS, Dana and Enquest. We are a rapidly growing business unit with forecast growth double our size in 2026 and again in 2027.
The Lead/Principal Construction Engineer is the conduit between the Project Design Team and the Construction Team (Costain and/or a 3rd Party) and provides construction leadership, buildability assurance, and execution readiness from the engineering office throughout the full project lifecycle. The role ensures that construction management requirements are embedded in engineering, procurement, contracting, and planning activities, enabling safe, predictable, and cost-effective field execution. The Lead/Principal Construction Engineer acts as the primary construction authority during the design and planning phases and supports site teams during mobilisation and early execution. The role will be based a minimum of 3 days a week on site.
At Costain, we believe diverse perspectives drive innovation. If you’re passionate about making a positive impact and think you can bring value to our team, we’d love to hear from you—even if you don’t tick every box. Your unique skills and experiences could be exactly what we need.
Responsibilities- Construction Strategy & Execution Planning – Develop formal construction execution strategies and plans appropriate to the phase of the project including construction work pack structure and discipline specific installation plans. Establish construction work packaging, including CWPs, IWPs, and discipline specific installation plans to an agreed level before handing ownership to a 3rd Party Construction Contractor. Provide input to project execution planning, including path of construction, schedule logic, critical path, and resource planning.
- Constructability & Design Integration - Lead formal constructability reviews at each engineering phase (FEED, detailed design, IFC). Ensure engineering deliverables incorporate construction requirements: access, lifting, welding, NDT, temporary works, laydown, construction hazards and SIMOPs.
- Procurement & Supply Chain Interface - Provide construction input to procurement strategies and tender bid evaluation process including fabrication and transportation capability. Review vendor documentation for installation requirements, constructability, lifting and rigging requirements and design risk factors.
- Contracting & Tender Support - Develop construction scopes of work, support the development of technical specifications, and tender documentation. Ensure alignment between contractor deliverables and project construction strategy.
- Construction Readiness & Assurance - Lead construction readiness reviews. Develop construction risk registers, mitigation plans, and readiness KPIs.
- HSSE Leadership and embedding safety in design - Ensure construction methods comply with company HSSE standards and regulatory frameworks (e.g. CDM 2015).
- Interface & Stakeholder Management - Act as the construction representative within the home office. Provide clear reporting on construction issues, risks, and readiness status. Support alignment between home office and site teams through regular coordination meetings.
- Support to Site Execution - Provide technical support to site construction teams during mobilisation and early works. Participate in site visits, audits, constructability walkdowns, and readiness verifications.
- Experience in Construction Management Roles within onshore oil & gas, petrochemical, and energy including concept, FEED and EPC projects.
- HNC/HND or Technical/Trade engineering qualifications.
- Strong multi-discipline understanding (mechanical, piping, structural, electrical, instrumentation and civils).
- Proven experience in constructability, HAZCON, modularisation, and construction planning.
- Development of construction management document deliverables.
- Understanding of Engineering and Construction principles, construction techniques and industry best practice.
- Familiarity with EPC/EPCM contracting models and contractor management.
- Strong knowledge of HSSE standards and regulatory frameworks including CDM 2015.
- Detailed knowledge of Safe Systems of Work, Construction Phase Plans, risk assessment and construction hazards.
- Detailed experience of onsite Construction Management and safe delivery, to time, quality and budget.
- Experience working with 3D model review tools.
- Excellent communication, leadership, and stakeholder management skills.
- 10 years plus experience.
- Member of a relevant professional body MAPM/MCIOB etc.
- Degree qualified in a relevant subject.
- NEBOSH Cert/Diploma.
- CSCS/CCSNG Card.
Lead/Principal Construction Engineer in Aberdeen employer: Costain Group
Contact Detail:
Costain Group Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Lead/Principal Construction Engineer in Aberdeen
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the oil and gas sector, especially those who might know someone at Costain. A friendly chat can sometimes lead to opportunities that aren’t even advertised.
✨Tip Number 2
Get ready for interviews by researching the company and its projects. Understand their approach to resilience and decarbonisation. This will help you show how your experience aligns with their goals during the interview.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be clear about your construction management experience and how it relates to the role. Highlight your leadership skills and ability to ensure safe and efficient project execution.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take that extra step!
We think you need these skills to ace Lead/Principal Construction Engineer in Aberdeen
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that align with the Lead/Principal Construction Engineer role. Highlight your construction management experience, especially in oil and gas, and don’t forget to mention any relevant qualifications!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you’re passionate about the role and how your unique skills can contribute to our Resilience team. Be genuine and let your personality come through.
Showcase Your Achievements: When detailing your experience, focus on specific achievements rather than just listing duties. Use metrics where possible to demonstrate your impact, like successful project completions or improvements in safety standards.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website for the best chance of getting noticed. It’s super easy, and you’ll be able to keep track of your application status. We can’t wait to see what you bring to the table!
How to prepare for a job interview at Costain Group
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your technical knowledge related to construction management, especially in the oil and gas sector. Be ready to discuss your experience with constructability reviews, project execution planning, and HSSE standards. This will show that you’re not just familiar with the role but also passionate about it.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Lead/Principal Construction Engineer, you'll need to demonstrate strong leadership abilities. Prepare examples of how you've successfully led teams or projects in the past. Highlight your communication skills and how you've managed stakeholder relationships effectively.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that put you in hypothetical situations related to construction challenges. Think about how you would handle issues like safety compliance or resource planning. Practising these scenarios can help you articulate your thought process clearly during the interview.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
At the end of the interview, don’t forget to ask questions that show your interest in the company and the role. Inquire about their current projects, team dynamics, or how they approach innovation in construction. This not only demonstrates your enthusiasm but also helps you gauge if the company is the right fit for you.