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- Tasks: Lead the engineering strategy for innovative seabed drilling systems and tools.
- Company: Join a pioneering company at the forefront of offshore technology.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career growth, and the chance to shape the future of engineering.
- Why this job: Be a key player in developing cutting-edge technology that impacts global operations.
- Qualifications: Senior engineering experience in offshore drilling and a degree in Mechanical Engineering.
- Other info: Unique opportunity to lead a new team and drive innovation in a dynamic environment.
The predicted salary is between 100000 - 150000 £ per year.
We are very pleased to present a senior level Engineering Director role (Geo) in the British Isles. This is a brand new position, the first of what will become our client's joint largest and most important function globally.
The Director of Engineering will be responsible for the strategic leadership, development, and delivery of seabed drilling equipment and geotechnical tools which directly support offshore site investigation operations worldwide. The role has full accountability for engineering activities across a growing fleet of vessels, ROVs, and seabed drill and tooling systems, ensuring equipment is safe, reliable, scalable, and operationally effective.
The position leads engineering across tool and system development, an in-house R&D facility, and operational deployment, driving innovation and continuous improvement as the business expands its offshore, nearshore, and onshore capabilities.
Key Responsibilities:- Engineering Leadership & Strategy: Define and execute the engineering strategy for seabed drilling systems, trenching tools, and associated handling equipment, aligned with the business's growth plans. Provide technical leadership across a growing fleet of vessels, seabed drills, and geotechnical equipment. Lead, mentor, and develop a multidisciplinary engineering team across design, R&D, and operational support functions. Establish engineering governance, design standards, and lifecycle management processes.
- Seabed Drill, Equipment & Tool Development: Oversee the design, development, and qualification of seabed geotechnical drilling systems, downhole and seabed-deployed tools, and launch, recovery, and handling systems for vessel deployment. Own the technology roadmap for seabed drilling and tooling, supporting deeper water, improved data quality, and operational efficiency. Drive innovation through the company’s R&D facility, from early-stage concepts and prototyping through to offshore trials. Ensure equipment designs are optimised for harsh offshore environments, vessel integration, maintainability, and reliability.
- R&D Facility Oversight: Provide leadership and direction to the in-house R&D and test facility, ensuring alignment with operational and commercial priorities. Oversee prototype testing, qualification programs, and controlled trials prior to offshore deployment. Promote a structured yet agile approach to innovation, balancing experimentation with operational reliability.
- Vessel & Offshore Operations Interface: Work closely with vessel teams and offshore operations to ensure seamless integration of seabed drills and equipment with vessels. Support mobilisations, offshore trials, and technical troubleshooting as required. Ensure lessons learned from offshore operations are captured and fed back into design improvements. Act as senior technical authority during offshore incidents or equipment failures.
- Safety, Quality & Compliance: Ensure engineering designs and activities comply with offshore regulations, industry standards, and client requirements. Champion a safety-by-design and operability-focused engineering culture. Provide engineering leadership for HAZIDs, HAZOPs, design reviews, and technical risk assessments.
- Supply Chain, Manufacturing & Fleet Growth: Manage relationships with external manufacturers, fabricators, and specialist suppliers. Oversee fabrication, assembly, FAT/SAT, and acceptance of new equipment for the expanding fleet. Support fleet standardisation while enabling flexibility for R&D and future technology upgrades. Develop spares strategies and technical documentation to support multiple vessels and systems.
- Budget, Commercial & Growth Support: Own the engineering budget covering R&D, new equipment development, and fleet support. Provide technical input to tenders, proposals, and client engagement, particularly around seabed drilling capability. Support CAPEX planning for new vessels, seabed drills, and next-generation tools.
- Degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related discipline.
- Senior engineering leadership experience within offshore drilling, geotechnical, subsea, or offshore construction environments.
- Proven experience developing seabed or subsea-deployed drilling and tooling systems.
- Strong understanding of vessel-based operations and offshore equipment integration.
- Track record of leading engineering teams and complex development programs.
- Chartered Engineer (CEng) status.
- Experience with seabed drilling, CPT, seabed sampling, or in-situ testing systems.
- Experience leading R&D programs or test facilities for similar tooling and trenching equipment.
- Familiarity with classification societies, offshore certification, and client acceptance processes.
- Strategic engineering leadership, seabed drilling and offshore equipment expertise, innovation and R&D management, risk-based design and decision-making, strong operational and commercial awareness.
- Hands-on engineering leader with strategic vision.
- Comfortable working across R&D, vessels, and offshore operations.
- Decisive, pragmatic, and safety-focused.
- Credible technical authority with strong communication skills.
- Robust, scalable seabed drilling systems deployed across an expanding fleet.
- Effective use of the R&D facility to deliver field-ready innovation to current and new clients.
- High equipment reliability and reduced offshore downtime.
- A motivated, capable engineering team supporting business growth globally.
- Engineering capability that differentiates the company in the seabed drilling market.
This really is a one-of-one role and opportunity. We are looking for the very best talent to take this new team and business function forward.
Global Director of Engineering - Seabed Drilling & Tools employer: LMOceans
Contact Detail:
LMOceans Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Global Director of Engineering - Seabed Drilling & Tools
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to industry contacts on LinkedIn or attend relevant events. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know that can land you that dream role.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its projects. We want to show them that you’re not just another candidate; you’re genuinely interested in their work and ready to contribute to their success.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! You need to be able to clearly articulate your experience and how it aligns with the role. We suggest rehearsing with a friend or in front of a mirror until you feel confident.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up after interviews! A quick thank-you email can go a long way. It shows your enthusiasm and keeps you fresh in their minds. And remember, apply through our website for the best chance!
We think you need these skills to ace Global Director of Engineering - Seabed Drilling & Tools
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to highlight your experience in seabed drilling and engineering leadership. Use keywords from the job description to show that you understand what we're looking for.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter should tell us why you're the perfect fit for this role. Share specific examples of your past achievements in engineering and how they relate to the responsibilities outlined in the job description.
Showcase Your Leadership Skills: Since this role involves leading a multidisciplinary team, make sure to emphasise your leadership experience. Talk about how you've mentored teams and driven innovation in previous roles.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity!
How to prepare for a job interview at LMOceans
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your technical knowledge related to seabed drilling and geotechnical tools. Be prepared to discuss specific projects you've worked on, especially those that demonstrate your leadership in engineering and innovation.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a potential Director of Engineering, it's crucial to highlight your experience in leading multidisciplinary teams. Prepare examples of how you've mentored engineers and driven successful projects, focusing on your strategic vision and decision-making abilities.
✨Understand the Company’s Goals
Research the company’s current projects and future ambitions in the offshore drilling sector. Being able to articulate how your skills align with their growth plans will show that you're not just a fit for the role, but also genuinely interested in contributing to their success.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect to face scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving skills and ability to handle operational challenges. Think about past experiences where you had to troubleshoot issues during offshore operations or manage risks effectively.