Principal Riser Engineer

Location: 

Houston, TX, US, TX, US

Requisition ID:  1254
Description: 

 

Offshore Business embarks on a journey to transition from a traditional shipbuilder to an Engineering, Procurement, Construction, Installation, and Operation (EPCI(O)) solution provider, offering products such as FPSO, FLNG, Offshore Renewables and other Floating Production Units.

 

Also, Hanwha Oceans’ Offshore Business Division recently expanded its global footprint by establishing new Global Business Centers in North America and Europe with the intention of becoming a project-centric and client-driven business organization. This transformation aims to offer enhanced project execution and knowledge-driven operational models by bridging the upstream culture of three continents across Asia, Europe, and America.

 

Together with talented people and through leadership, Offshore Business continues to deliver outstanding performance for our customers, partners, and shareholders by moving into its next phase of growth and success.

 

Position Overview

As part of our Global Projects Office (GPO), we are seeking a highly accomplished Principal Riser System Engineer to provide technical leadership and authority across our international floating offshore projects. The successful candidate will bring proven expertise in the design, analysis, verification, and installation assessment in all aspects of riser systems for floating offshore units operating in deep and ultra-deepwater environments.

This role will support engineering teams globally across Conceptual, Pre-FEED, FEED, and EPCI project phases, specifically for floating platforms such as FPSOs, FLNGs, FPU(Semis), and TLPs. The principal engineer can act as a Technical Authority (TA) for riser systems, ensuring best-in-class engineering practices are applied to drive technical excellence in areas such as global performance analysis, riser-hull/topside interaction, fatigue and integrity assessment, and installation methodology reviews.

This position requires not only advanced technical knowledge but also strong leadership and mentoring capabilities to guide multidisciplinary engineering teams, foster innovation, and deliver reliable, safe, and cost-efficient engineering solutions for riser systems to our clients worldwide.

 

Key Responsibilities

  • Execute total riser system design, analysis, and verification across concept, FEED, detailed design, installation, and operation phases. This must include the design and arrangement of all on-vessel and off-vessel components in with project requirements.
  • Deliver high-quality, technically sound engineering for riser systems and associated components throughout all project phases.
  • Provide technical oversight and resource planning across project scopes, schedules, and budgets.
  • Serve as the subject matter expert for riser design, global performance, installation methodology, ensuring compliance with international codes and standards (e.g., DNV, ABS, API, ISO).
  • Act as the Engineering Project Manager or Discipline Lead for engineering studies and large-scale execution projects as needed.
  • Collaborate with internal stakeholders (EPMs, mooring, structural/geotechnical, equipment, hull, topside, and drafting teams) and external clients and contractors/vendors to align technical deliverables with project objectives.
  • Review the internal documentation, technical specifications, drawings, and calculation reports.
  • Support business development efforts with riser system expertise during tenders and conceptual/pre-FEED phases.

 

Technical Expertise & Responsibilities

  • Perform riser system conceptual design, static and dynamic analysis for deepwater and ultra-deepwater applications.
  • Assess global performance, local stress, fatigue life, and accidental load cases of riser systems using metocean, environmental condition data.
  • Develop technical documentation including riser configuration reports, fatigue and integrity assessment, and installation studies.
  • Specify and manage subcontracted studies, coupled riser-mooring-vessel analyses, and advanced numerical simulations.
  • Evaluate technical proposals and bids riser system components such as riser pull-in systems, riser balcony arrangement, handling lines like wire or synthetic ropes, connectors and ancillary equipment.
  • Represent the company in technical reviews, joint industry projects (JIPs), international standards committees, and interface meetings with clients, classification societies and installation contractors.
  • Develop and maintain Hanwha Ocean’s technical standards, specification and procedures related to riser system design and installation.
  • Remain current with the latest industry practices, materials, design methodologies, software tools, and regulatory updates.

 

Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s degree in Ocean, Offshore, Civil, or Mechanical Engineering (Master’s preferred).
  • Minimum of 10 years of experience in the offshore oil & gas industry, ideally including prior experience in leading small engineering or project teams, with at least 5 years of specialized expertise in riser system engineering, on-vessel design, arrangement and design verification.
  • Proven track record with deepwater and ultra-deepwater riser systems and floating production facilities (FPSO, FLNG, Semi, TLP, etc.).
  • Experience in developing and analyzing riser systems across Conceptual, Pre-FEED, FEED, or EPCI(O) phases.
  • Familiarity with international design standards and classification society requirement.
  • Effective communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams and present complex technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders.
  • Fluency in English is required; additional language skills are an asset.

 

Work Authorization

The ideal candidate for this role will have authorization to work in the US prior to joining Hanwha. This role will not sponsor or help with the sponsorship for work authorization in the United States.

 

Diversity and Inclusion

Hanwha believes that diversity and inclusion are vital to our success. We believe that by embracing different ideas and approaches, we enhance our ability to deliver the best results for our employees, our environment, and ultimately our business partners and customers. We foster a culture where all colleagues are able to share their passions and ideas in order that we may collectively embrace and overcome the challenges in our industry, and work toward a brighter future.

Hanwha is an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or veteran status, age, or any other federally protected class.

 


Nearest Major Market: Houston