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Category
Offshore & Structural Engineering
Work Pattern
Onshore / Hybrid
Reports To
Lead Subsea Engineer / Engineering Manager
Position Overview
The Riser Engineer is responsible for the design, analysis, and specification of rigid and flexible riser systems connecting subsea wells to floating production facilities. This role requires deep expertise in hydrodynamic loading, fatigue assessment, and riser-vessel interaction. As FPSO and floating production projects continue to increase in water depth and environmental severity, riser engineers with proven deep-water experience are in extremely short supply.
Key Responsibilities
- Perform global riser analysis (extreme, fatigue, and installation) using OrcaFlex, Flexcom, or similar software.
- Design rigid steel catenary risers (SCRs), top tensioned risers (TTRs), and flexible riser systems to API 2RD, API 17J, DNV-OS-F201, and DNV-OS-F204.
- Develop riser design basis, specifications, and data sheets for FEED and detailed design phases.
- Perform VIV fatigue analysis using SHEAR7 and prescribe VIV suppression devices (strakes, fairings).
- Conduct riser interference analysis including pull-down, wake-induced, and proximity effects.
- Evaluate riser hang-off arrangements, flex joints, and stress joints for floating production systems.
- Review contractor and vendor riser design deliverables and provide technical approval.
- Support installation engineering for riser pull-in, connection, and pre-commissioning activities.
- Participate in HAZID/HAZOP and risk assessment workshops covering riser systems.
- Provide technical input to riser integrity management and inspection planning.
Qualifications
Required
- Education: Bachelor's or Master's degree in Mechanical, Civil, Ocean, or Structural Engineering
- Certifications: Chartered Engineer preferred; BOSIET/FOET for offshore visits
- Experience: 8–15 years in riser engineering, with significant deep-water floating production project experience
- Technical Skills: OrcaFlex, Flexcom, SHEAR7; API 2RD, DNV-OS-F201/204; fatigue and ultimate limit state design; VIV analysis
Preferred
- Experience with high-pressure/high-temperature (HPHT) riser design
- Knowledge of hybrid riser towers and bundled riser systems
- Familiarity with riser integrity monitoring systems (e.g., fatigue monitoring, motion monitoring)
- Involvement in riser system model testing and correlation studies
Market Intelligence
$950–1,450/day
Shortage Level: Critical
Key Skills Gap: Deep-water SCR experience; VIV fatigue specialists; riser engineers with both rigid and flexible expertise
Regions in Highest Demand: Brazil, West Africa, Gulf of Mexico, Southeast Asia
Demand Drivers: Record FPSO/FLNG project pipeline, increasing water depths, harsher metocean environments requiring more complex riser configurations