Offshore Cooling Engineer

About the Role

We’re looking for a sharp cooling system design engineer to join our Dubai design team. This isn’t your typical desk job – you’ll be the person figuring out how to solve cooling problems in places where nobody’s done it before.

Every project is different. One day you might be designing a custom chiller system for a floating production platform, the next you could be solving how to cool a gas processing facility in 50°C desert heat. Our customers come to us with problems that off-the-shelf equipment can’t handle, and it’s your job to make it work.

You’ll be working with a solid team of engineers who’ve been solving cooling challenges for years. The Dubai office gives you access to the Middle East market where the heat is brutal and the cooling demands are massive. Plus, you’re close enough to offshore projects to actually see your designs get built and commissioned.

What You’ll Actually Do

• Design custom cooling systems from scratch for offshore and industrial applications around the world.
• Run heat load calculations and system modeling to make sure your design actually works
• Select equipment, size piping, and spec out everything from compressors to control panels
• Work with customers to understand their real problems, not just what they think they need
• Create detailed engineering drawings and P&IDs that fabricators can actually build from
• Coordinate with our field teams so your designs work in the real world
• Troubleshoot when installations don’t go as planned (because they never do)
• Stay current on new refrigerants, equipment, and energy efficiency requirements

What We Need From You

Education & Background:

• Mechanical Engineering degree, or equivalent experience that proves you know your stuff
• 3-7 years designing industrial cooling systems, preferably for harsh environments
• Experience with offshore, marine, or desert applications is a huge plus
• Understanding of international codes and standards

Technical Skills You Must Have:

• Solid thermodynamics background – you need to understand what’s happening, not just run software
• Experience with cooling load calculations and system sizing
• Know your way around AutoCAD, SolidWorks, or similar CAD software
• Familiar with simulation software (ANSYS, CFD tools, refrigeration modeling programs)
• Understanding of refrigeration cycles, heat exchangers, and compressor selection
• Can read and create P&IDs, electrical schematics, and control logic diagrams (Helps, but not required)

Refrigeration Knowledge:

• Know the difference between different refrigeration systems and components and when to use each
• Experience with new eco friendly refrigerants
• Understanding of heat pump applications and energy recovery systems
• Familiar with chiller types – centrifugal, screw, reciprocating, absorption
• Know safety requirements for different refrigerant classifications

Engineering Skills:

• Can do heat transfer calculations without just relying on software
• Understand pump and fan curves, pressure drop calculations
• Know electrical basics – motor sizing, control circuits, power requirements
• Experience with instrumentation and control system design
• Understanding of piping design, insulation, and structural considerations

Industry Experience:

• Familiar with offshore equipment requirements (vibration, corrosion, space constraints)
• Understanding of hazardous area classifications and explosion-proof equipment
• Knowledge of energy efficiency standards and environmental regulations
• Experience working with international suppliers and equipment manufacturers

Software Tools:

• AutoCAD or similar drafting software (you’ll live in this)
• Excel for calculations and data analysis
• Refrigeration modeling software
• Project management tools for tracking multiple designs

Personal Skills:

• Can explain complex technical concepts to non-engineers
• Detail-oriented – small mistakes become big problems in the field
• Able to manage multiple projects without dropping the ball
• Comfortable working with international teams and customers
• Problem-solving mindset – our customers need solutions, not excuses

Working in Dubai

Our Dubai office puts you at the center of the Middle East energy industry. You’ll be working on projects from the Arabian Gulf to the North sea, with customers who have serious cooling challenges.

The team is international – engineers from different backgrounds bringing different perspectives to tough problems. English is the working language, but Arabic or other languages are a plus for customer interactions.

Dubai’s location means reasonable travel to project sites when you need to see your designs in action or troubleshoot issues. It’s not all desk work – sometimes you need to get your hands dirty to understand what’s really happening.

What’s In It For You

The Work:

• Every project is unique – no cookie-cutter designs
• See your engineering work operating in some of the world’s most challenging environments
• Work with cutting-edge cooling technology and energy-efficient solutions
• Build a portfolio of custom designs that solve real problems

Career Growth:

• Exposure to international projects and customers
• Opportunity to specialize in niche cooling applications
• Path to senior engineer and project management roles
• Training budget for professional development and certifications

Compensation & Benefits:

• Competitive salary package appropriate for Dubai market
• Annual flight allowance for home visits
• Professional development opportunities

The Environment:

• Modern office with proper engineering workstations and software
• Collaborative team that shares knowledge and experience
• Access to testing facilities and equipment suppliers
• Connection to field operations for real-world feedback

The Reality Check

This job requires attention to detail because mistakes get expensive fast when you’re building custom equipment. You’ll need to balance customer requirements with practical limitations and budget constraints.

Some projects will be straightforward upgrades, others will push the limits of what’s possible with current technology. The customers expect solutions that work the first time.

Dubai can be intense – hot climate, fast-paced business environment, and customers who expect quick turnaround on complex designs. But if you like solving technical puzzles and seeing your work make a real difference, this could be exactly what you’re looking for.

Ready to design cooling systems that actually matter?