HVAC Lead Inspector (Offshore Substation Dubai)

HVAC Lead Inspector

📍 Berlin, Germany (remote) → Dubai, UAE (fabrication yard) → Offshore 🕒 Contract / Long-term assignment | Start: December 2026

We are looking for an experienced HVAC Lead Inspector to act as the Client / Owner's Representative for the HVAC scope of a 2 GW HVDC offshore converter platform in the Baltic Sea, built for a German transmission system operator.

The scope covers:

Air treatment: fresh and recirculated air, and room pressurisation

Chilled water systems (central and local cooling) and closed cooling systems

HVAC air coolers and hazardous gas and smoke extraction

Interfaces to fire protection, automation and E&I, plus temporary HVAC during construction

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 verification status

Review and comment on contractor and supplier documents, including:

ITPs, FAT and commissioning procedures

yard HVAC ITP and ductwork leak test procedure

inspection and test procedures for HVAC equipment

Define client hold, witness, review and monitoring points and keep the HVAC inspection register up to date

Assess QA/QC Technical Queries, deviation requests and supplier NCRs

Witness FATs for HVAC equipment, including:

air handling units, chillers, local cooling units, dry coolers and fans

fire dampers, constant volume dampers, weather louvres and mist eliminators

Witness performance, functional, leak-tightness and noise tests

Verify fire classifications, EN 10204 3.1 / 3.2 certificates, CE documentation, corrosion protection and product marking

Carry out surveillance visits at international sub-suppliers, including during HVAC duct, piping and support fabrication

Verify marking, packing and preservation, and recommend equipment release for shipment

At the Dubai yard, inspect:

delivery, storage and preservation of HVAC materials and equipment

fabrication of HVAC ductwork, piping and support structures

installation of HVAC equipment and systems

Verify that temporary HVAC works during construction, and check that technical rooms are ready for handover before HVDC equipment is installed

Carry out receiving inspections, including VDI 6022 inspections where applicable, and preservation audits

Witness HVAC pre-commissioning and commissioning at the yard

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 (ITR-A) and review punch list items and completion dossiers in the contractor's system

Take part in final inspections, harbour acceptance tests (HAT) and load-out readiness reviews

Offshore: verify re-commissioning after hook-up, witness permanent commissioning and verify HVAC performance against the approved design

Issue daily and weekly inspection reports with KPIs (hold and witness point attendance, NCR ageing, punch list close-out)

Report HSE non-conformities and take part in safety walks and HSE reviews

Required Qualifications Degree or certificate in HVAC / building services or mechanical engineering

Minimum 8 years in QA/QC inspection, testing or commissioning of HVAC systems, of which at least 5 years on offshore or marine projects

Proven experience witnessing HVAC equipment FATs, ductwork leak tests and HVAC commissioning (testing, adjusting and balancing)

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. ISO 15138, DNV-OS-D301, EN 16798-3, VDI 6022, EN 12097, ISO 5149-1, EN 12599, EN 1507, EN 12237

All experience must be backed by personal project references stating client, period, scope and your role.

Nice to Have Certification such as NEBB, TABB, BSRIA, EU F-Gas or VDI 6022 hygiene inspection

Refrigeration systems and fire damper testing

Preservation management and preservation inspections

Offshore hook-up and commissioning campaigns

Previous work on HVDC converter platforms or offshore substations, as Owner's Engineer or Client Representative

Experience on European projects

DNV certification processes; 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, DNV-ST-0145 and German occupational safety rules (BetrSichV, DGUV, ASR)

Why This Role Owner's-side position with real authority over the HVAC scope

One platform from start to finish: verification, FATs, yard, load-out and offshore commissioning (2026 to 2031)

Lead Inspector role 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.