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Category
Subsea Engineering
Work Pattern
Onshore / Hybrid (offshore trips for commissioning and troubleshooting)
Reports To
Lead Subsea Engineer / Subsea Engineering Manager
Position Overview
The Subsea Controls Engineer is responsible for the design, specification, and integrity assurance of subsea control systems — including electro-hydraulic multiplexed (EH-MUX) systems, SCM (Subsea Control Module), umbilical terminations, and topside HPU/PU equipment. This is one of the most technically scarce roles in subsea, directly impacting system uptime and production availability.
Key Responsibilities
- Design and specify subsea production control systems (SPCS) in accordance with API 17F and API 17E.
- Develop functional requirements and logic sequences for subsea control modules (SCM), including valve sequencing, choke control, and safety shutdown logic.
- Prepare and review data sheets, I/O lists, and cause-and-effect diagrams for controls equipment.
- Interface with subsea tree and manifold designers to ensure hydraulic and electrical interface compatibility.
- Participate in FAT, SIT, and EFAT of control system components; witness integration testing with Xmas trees and umbilicals.
- Review and approve control system software updates, firmware modifications, and SIL-rated safety logic.
- Support offshore commissioning, system startup, and production ramp-up activities for new and workover wells.
- Troubleshoot subsea control system faults, including communication losses, hydraulic leaks, and SCM anomalies, often in real-time from onshore operations rooms.
- Develop maintenance strategies and spare parts philosophies for subsea control assets.
- Mentor junior controls engineers and contribute to technology development initiatives (e.g., all-electric trees, digital twins).
Qualifications
Required
- Education: Bachelor's degree in Electrical, Instrumentation, Controls, or Mechatronics Engineering.
- Certifications: BOSIET/FOET with CA-EBS; Offshore Medical; Functional Safety (SIL) awareness training desirable.
- Experience: 8–15 years in subsea controls engineering, with hands-on experience in EH-MUX system design and commissioning.
- Technical Skills: Deep knowledge of API 17F, API 17E, IEC 61508/61511; proficiency in control system simulation tools; understanding of subsea communications protocols (Modbus, CANbus, fibre optic).
Preferred
- Experience with all-electric subsea production systems.
- Familiarity with topside and subsea HPU/PU design and commissioning.
- Vendor-specific training on major OEM control systems.
- Working knowledge of ROV intervention on control interfaces.
Market Intelligence
$1,000–$1,450/day
Shortage Level: Critical
Key Skills Gap: Very few engineers combine controls hardware design with offshore commissioning and real-time troubleshooting; vendor-specific SCM experience is non-transferable and tightly held.
Regions in Highest Demand: North Sea, West Africa, Brazil, Australia
Demand Drivers: Ageing subsea control infrastructure requires increasing intervention; new deepwater developments demand EH-MUX expertise; all-electric tree transition creates a new skill set gap.