Mechanical Lead Inspector (Offshore Substation Dubai)

Mechanical Lead Inspector 📍 Berlin, Germany (remote) → Dubai, UAE (fabrication yard) → Offshore 🕒 Contract / Long-term assignment | Start: December 2026 We are looking for an experienced Mechanical Lead Inspector to act as the Client / Owner's Representative for the mechanical scope of a 2 GW HVDC offshore converter platform in the Baltic Sea, built for a German transmission system operator. The scope covers: - Material handling: platform cranes, davit and overhead cranes, elevators and hoists - Access and egress: boat landings, walk-to-work and jack-up landings, and the helideck - Diesel generators and the fuel system - Process equipment: pumps, tanks, the fresh water generator and oil/water separators - The mechanical equipment of the converter cooling system You follow this scope from requirements verification to offshore commissioning. Assignment Timeline - Start: December 2026 - Contract: 12 months, with option to extend - Work split: 50% on site in Dubai, 40% remote, 10% in Berlin Key Responsibilities - Review the contractor's evidence against the Employer's Requirements in the verification plan (Relatics) and recommend compliance status - Review and comment on contractor and supplier documents, including: - ITPs and FAT procedures - load test and inspection procedures - certification concepts - Define client hold, witness, review and surveillance points and keep the mechanical inspection register up to date - Assess Technical Queries, deviation and concession requests and NCRs - Witness FATs for mechanical packages, including: - pumps, tanks and water treatment equipment - diesel generator packages and diesel systems - lifting appliances and helideck systems - Witness load, performance, functional, vibration, noise and pressure tests - Verify CE documentation, lifting appliance certification, material certificates, corrosion protection and marking - Attend supplier kick-off meetings and audits, and carry out surveillance visits at international sub-suppliers - Carry out release inspections and verify preservation, packing and readiness for shipment - At the Dubai yard, inspect: - receipt, storage and preservation of mechanical equipment and free-issue materials - installation work: alignment, levelling, bolting, grouting and equipment setting - seafastening arrangements before load-out - certification and marking of lifting appliances and lifting accessories - Witness commissioning, including: - diesel generator load tests and power management system tests - fuel system functional tests - crane, davit and elevator tests - access, egress and emergency evacuation equipment tests - Plan inspection coverage, coordinate the client inspection team and make sure every hold and witness point is attended - Raise NCRs, assess root causes and verify closure of corrective and preventive actions - Carry out mechanical completion inspections and manage close-out of A, B and C punch items - Take part in final inspections, harbour acceptance tests (HAT) and load-out readiness reviews - Offshore: monitor re-commissioning after hook-up, witness lifting appliance tests and converter cooling commissioning, and verify closure of offshore punch items - Issue daily, weekly and monthly inspection reports with KPIs (hold and witness point attendance, NCR status, punch list close-out) - Report HSE non-conformities and take part in safety walks and HSE reviews Required Qualifications - Degree or certificate in mechanical engineering - Minimum 8 years in QA/QC inspection of mechanical equipment, of which at least 5 years on offshore or marine projects - Proven experience witnessing FATs and load tests of offshore cranes and lifting appliances, and tests of diesel generator sets and pumps - Proven experience leading a team of inspectors - Experience as Lead Inspector, Client Representative or Owner's Inspector on offshore substations, HVDC platforms, oil & gas topsides or ships - Experience in FAT witnessing and surveillance at international sub-suppliers - Experience in mechanical completion, pre-commissioning and commissioning, including punch list and completion management systems - Fluent English, minimum C1 (spoken and written) - Valid work and travel permits for Europe and the UAE; willingness to travel to suppliers worldwide and to be deployed long-term at the Dubai yard and offshore - Working knowledge of codes and standards, e.g. EN 13852, DNV-ST-0378, EN 13557, EN 81-20/-50, ISO 8528, ISO 14122, Machinery Directive 2006/42/EC and Machinery Regulation (EU) 2023/1230 All experience must be backed by personal project references stating client, period, scope and your role. Nice to Have - Thorough examination and load testing of lifting equipment (DGUV V52, EN 13852, DNV-ST-0145) - LEEA certification or equivalent lifting inspection qualification - ISO 9712 Level 2 certification - Vibration analysis certification (ISO 18436-2) - Pressure and leak testing of piping systems (EN 13480, DNV standards) - Inspection of fire-fighting piping, valves and systems (EN 12845, NFPA) - Previous work on HVDC converter platforms or offshore substations - Experience on European projects - Relatics, thinkproject or similar systems; yard experience in the Middle East or Asia Additional Advantages - German and Arabic language skills - Valid GWO BST or OPITO BOSIET (incl. HUET) and offshore medical, or willingness to obtain them before the offshore phase - Knowledge of BSH offshore codes and German occupational safety rules (BetrSichV, DGUV, ASR) Why This Role - Owner's-side position with real authority over the mechanical scope - One platform from start to finish: verification, FATs, yard, load-out and offshore commissioning (2026 to 2031) - Lead Inspector role with your own team of inspectors at a major fabrication yard in Dubai - Grid connection project for the German energy transition, 2 GW HVDC 👉 Interested? Apply directly or reach out for more information. Please send your CV with project references.