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.