HVAC Lead Inspector (Offshore Substation Dubai)
Job Summary
Berlin Germany (remote) Dubai UAE (fabrication yard) Offshore
Contract / Long-term assignment Start: December 2026
We are looking for an experienced HVAC Lead Inspector to act as the Client / Owners Representative for the HVAC scope of a 2 GW HVDC offshore converter platform in the Baltic Sea built for a German transmission system operator.
The scope covers:
Air treatment: fresh and recirculated air and room pressurisation
Chilled water systems (central and local cooling) and closed cooling systems
HVAC air coolers and hazardous gas and smoke extraction
Interfaces to fire protection automation and E&I plus temporary HVAC during construction
You follow this scope from requirements verification to offshore commissioning.
Start: December 2026
Contract: 12 months with option to extend
Work split: 50% on site in Dubai 40% remote 10% in Berlin
Review the contractors evidence against the Employers Requirements in the verification plan (Relatics) and recommend verification status
Review and comment on contractor and supplier documents including:
ITPs FAT and commissioning procedures
yard HVAC ITP and ductwork leak test procedure
inspection and test procedures for HVAC equipment
Define client hold witness review and monitoring points and keep the HVAC inspection register up to date
Assess QA/QC Technical Queries deviation requests and supplier NCRs
Witness FATs for HVAC equipment including:
air handling units chillers local cooling units dry coolers and fans
fire dampers constant volume dampers weather louvres and mist eliminators
Witness performance functional leak-tightness and noise tests
Verify fire classifications EN 10204 3.1 / 3.2 certificates CE documentation corrosion protection and product marking
Carry out surveillance visits at international sub-suppliers including during HVAC duct piping and support fabrication
Verify marking packing and preservation and recommend equipment release for shipment
At the Dubai yard inspect:
delivery storage and preservation of HVAC materials and equipment
fabrication of HVAC ductwork piping and support structures
installation of HVAC equipment and systems
Verify that temporary HVAC works during construction and check that technical rooms are ready for handover before HVDC equipment is installed
Carry out receiving inspections including VDI 6022 inspections where applicable and preservation audits
Witness HVAC pre-commissioning and commissioning at the yard
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 (ITR-A) and review punch list items and completion dossiers in the contractors system
Take part in final inspections harbour acceptance tests (HAT) and load-out readiness reviews
Offshore: verify re-commissioning after hook-up witness permanent commissioning and verify HVAC performance against the approved design
Issue daily and weekly inspection reports with KPIs (hold and witness point attendance NCR ageing punch list close-out)
Report HSE non-conformities and take part in safety walks and HSE reviews
Degree or certificate in HVAC / building services or mechanical engineering
Minimum 8 years in QA/QC inspection testing or commissioning of HVAC systems of which at least 5 years on offshore or marine projects
Proven experience witnessing HVAC equipment FATs ductwork leak tests and HVAC commissioning (testing adjusting and balancing)
Proven experience leading a team of inspectors
Experience as Lead Inspector Client Representative or Owners 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. ISO 15138 DNV-OS-D301 EN 16798-3 VDI 6022 EN 12097 ISO 5149-1 EN 12599 EN 1507 EN 12237
All experience must be backed by personal project references stating client period scope and your role.
Certification such as NEBB TABB BSRIA EU F-Gas or VDI 6022 hygiene inspection
Refrigeration systems and fire damper testing
Preservation management and preservation inspections
Offshore hook-up and commissioning campaigns
Previous work on HVDC converter platforms or offshore substations as Owners Engineer or Client Representative
Experience on European projects
DNV certification processes; yard experience in the Middle East or Asia
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 DNV-ST-0145 and German occupational safety rules (BetrSichV DGUV ASR)
Owners-side position with real authority over the HVAC scope
One platform from start to finish: verification FATs yard load-out and offshore commissioning (2026 to 2031)
Lead Inspector role 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.
Your application has been successfully submitted!
Required Experience:
IC