We have a current opportunity for a Electrical SME on a long term contract basis. The position will be based in Houston with occassional trips offshore. 

 
 
Position Overview
Electrical Subject Matter Expert (SME) with 10 years of experience in offshore oil & gas installations, covering projects, operations, turnarounds, and advanced electrical technologies. Position requires expertise in low voltage (LV), medium voltage (MV), and high voltage (HV) systems, as well as advanced technologies such as variable frequency drives (VFDs), power generation, power distribution, and electrical safety in hazardous environments.
This role requires deep technical knowledge, problem-solving abilities, and hands-on experience with electrical systems across greenfield and brownfield offshore assets. The Electrical SME will serve as a key resource for troubleshooting, project execution, operational improvements, and risk assessments.
 
Key Responsibilities

1. Electrical Systems Expertise

• Provide technical leadership and subject matter expertise for offshore low, medium, and high voltage electrical systems (e.g., 480V, 6.6kV, 13.8kV).
• Oversee and optimize the operation of power generation, electrical distribution, and protection systems in offshore environments.
• Ensure proper application and integration of Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs), UPS systems, power management systems (PMS), and SCADA.
• Manage electrical load studies, arc flash analysis, and power quality assessments for offshore facilities.
• Lead Root Cause Failure Analysis (RCFA) for electrical failures and implement corrective actions.

1. Project & Turnaround Support

• Support the design, engineering, and commissioning of electrical systems for offshore facilities, FPSOs, wellhead platforms, and fixed installations.
• Provide electrical input for major capital projects, brownfield modifications, and tie-backs to existing infrastructure.
• Lead electrical scope in turnarounds, shutdowns, and maintenance campaigns, ensuring efficient execution and safety compliance.
• Develop and review technical specifications, engineering packages, and work scopes for electrical projects.

1. Operations & Maintenance

• Support offshore operations teams with troubleshooting, maintenance, and performance optimization of electrical equipment.
• Develop and implement preventive and predictive maintenance strategies for offshore electrical assets.
• Ensure reliability and redundancy of offshore power generation and distribution networks.
• Assist in interfacing with rotating equipment, motors, and transformers to ensure operational efficiency.

1. Electrical Safety & Compliance

• Ensure compliance with industry standards (API, IEC, IEEE, NEC, NEMA, DNV, IOGP, and ABS) as well as local regulatory requirements.
• Drive electrical safety programs, including hazardous area classifications, ATEX compliance, and intrinsically safe (IS) systems.
• Lead electrical safety audits, risk assessments, and incident investigations.
• Provide offshore personnel with technical training and mentorship in electrical safety and maintenance best practices.

1. Advanced Technology & Innovation

• Evaluate and implement emerging electrical technologies to improve efficiency and reliability in offshore operations.
• Support integration of Electrical Power Management Systems (PMS) and smart grid applications in offshore environments.
• Work with vendors and engineering teams to optimize topsides and subsea power systems, electrical heat tracing, power generation, and automation.

 
Qualifications & Experience
Education & Certification

• Bachelor’s degree: Electrical Engineering.
• Professional Engineer (PE): License or Chartered Engineer (CEng) (preferred).
• Industry Certifications: (e.g., IEEE, IEC, API, NEC, ATEX, ISA).

Technical Experience

• 10 years of experience in offshore oil & gas projects, operations, and maintenance.
• Expertise in low voltage (LV), medium voltage (MV), and high voltage (HV) power systems.
• Strong knowledge of power generation (Diesel and Gas Generators, Boilers, switchgear, transformers, MCCs, and VFDs).
  Experience with electrical protection schemes, fault analysis, and coordination studies.
• Familiarity with SCADA, DCS, and PLC-based power management systems (PMS).
• Hands-on experience in turnarounds, shutdowns, and brownfield electrical modifications.
• Knowledge of hazardous area classifications, explosion-proof (Ex) equipment, and offshore electrical safety.
• Strong background in reliability engineering, failure analysis, and electrical troubleshooting.

Soft Skills & Leadership

• Ability to lead cross-functional teams and work in high-risk offshore environments.
• Excellent problem-solving, critical thinking, and decision-making skills.
• Strong communication skills to collaborate with engineering, operations, and HSEQ teams.
• Experience mentoring junior engineers and technicians.

Work Conditions

• Onshore engineering support (remote), with occasional international travel, Offshore facilities, or 3rd party locations, as required.
• Hybrid schedule, depending on project and operational needs.
• Exposure to hazardous environments, high-risk equipment, and extreme weather conditions.

 

Our role in supporting diversity and inclusion
As an international workforce business, we are committed to sourcing personnel that reflects the diversity and values of our client base but also that of Orion Group. We welcome the wide range of experiences and viewpoints that potential workers bring to our business and our clients, including those based on nationality, gender, culture, educational and professional backgrounds, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, disability, and age differences, job classification and religion. In our inclusive workplace, regardless of your employment status as staff or contract, everyone is assured the right of equitable, fair and respectful treatment.