Technical Safety & Architectural Lead Inspector (Offshore Substation Dubai)

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

We are looking for an experienced Technical Safety & Architectural Lead Inspector to act as the Client / Owner's Representative for the fire protection, safety and architectural scope of a 2 GW HVDC offshore converter platform in the Baltic Sea, built for a German transmission system operator.

The scope covers:

Active fire protection: gaseous, foam, aerosol and helideck fire-fighting systems

Passive fire protection: fire-rated divisions, penetrations, fire doors, windows and dampers

Life-saving appliances and escape systems: lifeboats, life rafts, escape routes, muster areas and signage

Architectural outfitting, including accommodation modules

You follow this scope from requirements verification to offshore handover.

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

fire protection plans and escape studies

certification matrices and test methods

Define client hold, witness, review and surveillance points and keep the Technical Safety & Architectural inspection register up to date

Assess Technical Queries, deviation and concession requests and NCRs

Witness FATs for safety equipment, including:

foam and gaseous extinguishing systems

fire alarm and fire extinguishing control systems

lifeboats, life rafts and associated equipment

Witness functional, discharge and integrated system tests

Verify type approvals, Marine Equipment Directive certificates and fire test certificates

Monitor the manufacture of accommodation modules, architectural assemblies and passive fire protection

Carry out release inspections and verify preservation, marking and packing before shipment

At the Dubai yard, inspect:

passive fire protection installations against approved certification

walls, ceilings, floors, doors, windows, insulation, stairs, ladders and handrails

accommodation module installation and completion

installation and preservation of fire-fighting and life-saving equipment

Walk down escape routes, muster stations, emergency access routes and safety signage

Witness commissioning, including:

fire detection, gaseous extinguishing and foam systems

helideck fire-fighting systems

emergency escape systems, life-saving appliances and access and egress systems

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: before manning, verify that life-saving appliances and escape routes are ready, and witness fire and safety system tests and statutory inspections

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 fire protection / safety engineering, mechanical engineering or naval architecture

Minimum 8 years in QA/QC inspection of fire protection and safety systems and/or architectural outfitting, of which at least 5 years on offshore or marine projects

Proven experience inspecting passive fire protection (fire-rated divisions, penetrations, fire doors) and witnessing tests of fire-fighting and fire detection systems

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. DNV-ST-0145, DNV-OS-D301, IMO FTP Code, SOLAS, IMO LSA Code, Marine Equipment Directive, CAP 437, NFPA 11, EN 54, EN 13501, EN ISO 7010

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

Nice to Have ICorr / AMPP Passive Fire Protection Inspector certification

VdS, NFPA or equivalent fire protection system certification

Lifeboat and life-saving appliance inspection or service qualification

Accommodation module fabrication and installation

Helideck certification (CAP 437, ICAO) and EN 54 / integrated fire and gas testing

NEBOSH International Certificate or equivalent

Previous work on HVDC converter platforms, offshore substations or oil & gas topsides

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 and German occupational safety rules (BetrSichV, DGUV, ASR)

Why This Role Owner's-side position with real authority over the fire protection, safety and architectural 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.