Job description
POSITION SUMMARY
The Operation & Maintenance Engineer is responsible for overseeing the complete lifecycle
management of Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) and Pumping Stations. This role ensures continuous,
efficient, and compliant plant operations through technical leadership, team management, process
optimization, and stakeholder coordination. The position demands a proactive professional capable of
delivering operational excellence while maintaining the highest standards of safety, quality, and
regulatory compliance.
1. PLANT OPERATIONS & PROCESS MANAGEMENT
• Oversee daily operations of all STPs and Pumping Stations, biological, mechanical, civil,
electrical, instrumentation, and chemical treatment processes.
• Ensure continuous plant operation within design parameters, maintaining full compliance with
municipality regulations and applicable environmental standards.
• Monitor real-time process performance data, identify deviations, and implement timely corrective
actions to optimize plant efficiency and output quality.
• Supervise and verify water quality testing and laboratory analysis to ensure treated effluent
consistently meets required discharge standards and permits.
• Evaluate and optimize chemical dosing systems, including coagulants, disinfectants, and other
treatment chemicals, to achieve cost-effective and compliant operations.
• Conduct regular process audits to identify inefficiencies and implement data-driven improvements
across all treatment stages.
• Monitor energy consumption across plant systems and implement strategies to reduce operational
energy costs without compromising performance.
• Oversee the safe and compliant handling, storage, and disposal of sludge and chemical by-
products in accordance with regulatory requirements.
2. MAINTENANCE MANAGEMENT
• Develop, implement, and continuously improve preventive maintenance (PM) schedules for all
plant equipment, including pumps, blowers, surface aerators, motors, control panels, PLC panels,
MCC panels, instrumentation, SCADA systems, and civil structures.
• Manage and execute corrective maintenance activities, ensuring rapid and effective resolution of
equipment breakdowns to minimize plant downtime.
• Plan and supervise major overhauls, equipment replacements, and capital maintenance works in
coordination with the client and relevant stakeholders.
• Maintain a structured and up-to-date asset management register, including equipment history,
maintenance records, and warranty information.
• Ensure calibration and functional testing of all critical instrumentation, meters, and control
systems in accordance with prescribed schedules.
• Coordinate and supervise specialist subcontractors and third-party service providers for
specialized maintenance activities, ensuring quality and compliance.
• Assess and prioritize maintenance work orders based on criticality and operational impact,
ensuring efficient use of available resources.
3. TEAM LEADERSHIP & HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
• Lead, supervise, and mentor the O&M team, including Senior Operators, mechanical & electrical
Technicians, Operators, and Support Staff across all assigned sites.
• Allocate and monitor daily tasks, track attendance, and ensure optimal manpower deployment
across multiple sites to meet operational requirements.
• Conduct regular performance evaluations, provide constructive feedback, and identify training
needs to support team development and competency enhancement.
• Provide continuous on-the-job coaching and mentoring to improve technical skills, operational
knowledge, and safety awareness of all team members.
• Oversee site supervisors' daily performance, ensuring accountability and adherence to
operational standards and client expectations.
• Coordinate shift planning, leave management, and emergency callouts to always maintain
adequate staffing levels.
• Manage the rain/flood, environmental disasters, natural calamities and emergency management
plans at the time of excessive flows to the stations
• Foster a positive team culture built on professionalism, mutual respect, continuous learning, and
commitment to excellence.
4. HEALTH, SAFETY & ENVIRONMENTAL COMPLIANCE (HSE)
• Enforce strict adherence to all health, safety, and environmental (HSE) policies, procedures, and
statutory requirements across all operational sites.
• Ensure all work activities are carried out in compliance with Permit-to-Work (PTW) systems,
lockout/tagout (LOTO) procedures, and confined space entry protocols.
• Investigate all incidents, near-misses, and unsafe conditions; prepare detailed incident reports
and implement corrective and preventive actions.
• Ensure availability, proper use, and maintenance of all personal protective equipment (PPE) and
safety tools on site.
• Maintain full environmental compliance regarding effluent discharge quality, chemical handling,
waste management, and noise control.
• Coordinate with GWT HSE to safety related concerns , PPEs and arranging of HSE visits &
induction
5. REPORTING, DOCUMENTATION & COMPLIANCE
• Maintain comprehensive and accurate documentation, including daily operational logs,
maintenance records, incident reports, and compliance reports.
• Prepare and submit daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly, and annual O&M performance reports to the
client and relevant GWT authorities in a timely manner.
• Ensure all plant operations, maintenance activities, and lab results are documented
• Develop and maintain standard operating procedures (SOPs), emergency response plans, and
operational manuals for all critical plant systems.
• Track and report on key performance indicators (KPIs) including plant availability, energy
consumption, and treatment efficiency.
• Ensure all regulatory submissions, permit renewals, and inspection documentation are completed
accurately and submitted within required deadlines.
6. STAKEHOLDER & CLIENT MANAGEMENT
• Serve as the primary technical point of contact for the client, municipality representatives,
consultants, and regulatory bodies for all O&M-related matters.
• Attend and actively participate in client coordination meetings, technical reviews, and site
inspection visits, representing the O&M team professionally.
• Provide prompt, professional, and solution-oriented responses to client queries, complaints, and
emergency calls at all times
• Must maintain readiness to respond to emergency breakdowns, system failures, or critical
incidents on-site outside of regular working hours when required.
• Build and maintain strong working relationships with all stakeholders through transparent
communication, consistent delivery, and proactive issue resolution.
• Support the client in planning and executing plant expansion, upgrade, or rehabilitation projects
by providing technical input and O&M expertise.
7. INVENTORY, PROCUREMENT & COST MANAGEMENT
• Manage the procurement and inventory of spare parts, consumables, chemicals, and tools;
ensure adequate stock levels are maintained without overstocking.
• Evaluate supplier performance and quality of materials and recommend approved vendors to
ensure reliability of supply and cost-effectiveness.
• Prepare material requisitions, technical specifications, and scope of work documents for
procurement of equipment and services.
• Monitor and control operational expenditures against the approved O&M budget, identifying and
implementing cost-saving opportunities without compromising quality.
• Continuously explore process improvement initiatives and innovative solutions to reduce
operational costs and improve overall plant efficiency.
• Maintain accurate records of all procurement activities, material receipts, and inventory
movements for audit and reporting purposes.
8. TRAINING & DEVELOPMENT
• Design and deliver structured training programs for operations and maintenance staff, covering
plant processes, equipment operation, safety procedures, and emergency response.
• Identify individual and team skill gaps through performance monitoring and training needs
assessments and develop targeted development plans.
• Encourage knowledge sharing, cross-training, and succession planning within the team to build
organizational resilience.
• Support new staff onboarding and ensure all personnel are adequately inducted, trained, and
competency-assessed before undertaking critical tasks.
QUALIFICATIONS & REQUIREMENTS
Education & License
• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical, Electrical, Chemical, or Environmental Engineering (or
equivalent qualification).
• UAE Driving license
• Additional certifications in wastewater treatment, SCADA / PLC systems, or HSE management
are an advantage.
Technical Competencies
• Strong knowledge of biological treatment processes (activated sludge, MBR, MBBR, SBR, ASP,
FCR), mechanical systems, and electrical/instrumentation equipment.
• Proficiency in SCADA / PLC systems, and MS Office applications.
• Solid understanding of health, safety, and environmental regulations applicable to water
wastewater treatment operations.
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, P&IDs, and technical specifications.
Soft Skills & Attributes
• Strong leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills with the ability to manage diverse
teams.
• Excellent problem-solving, analytical, and decision-making capabilities under pressure.
• High level of initiative, accountability, and commitment to delivering results.
• Flexibility and availability to respond to site emergencies and client requirements outside normal
working hours.
Additional Qualities needed
• Participate in client visits, technical meetings, and sales presentations to support company
growth and business development activities.
• Provide technical and operational support to the sales team during proposal preparation, project
discussions, and client interactions.
• Identify and evaluate new business opportunities, potential projects, and service expansion areas
to increase company revenue.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with existing and prospective clients to enhance
customer satisfaction and generate repeat business.
• Coordinate with internal departments to ensure timely submission of quotations, technical
proposals, and project-related documentation.
• Conduct market research and competitor analysis to identify emerging opportunities and industry
trends.
• Assist in promoting the company's services and capabilities to clients, consultants, and
government entities.
• Monitor ongoing projects and identify opportunities for additional services, upgrades, and
operation & maintenance contracts.
