Operations & Maintenance Engineer

Location: Sharjah
Salary: AED 4,000 - 6,000
Job Code: 348/001/456
Industry: Water Treatment
Department: After-Sales – Operations & Maintenance
Reports To: After-Sales Manager / O&M Manager

Job Brief:

We are seeking an experienced Operations & Maintenance Engineer to oversee the complete lifecycle management of Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) and Pumping Stations across various sites. The role is responsible for ensuring continuous, efficient, and compliant plant operations through technical leadership, team management, process optimization, maintenance planning, and stakeholder coordination.

The ideal candidate will be a proactive professional capable of delivering operational excellence while maintaining high standards of safety, quality, and regulatory compliance. This Operations & Maintenance Engineer Job in Sharjah requires strong technical knowledge of wastewater treatment processes, plant equipment, preventive and corrective maintenance, and O&M operations.

Job Responsibilities:

  • Oversee the daily operations of Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) and Pumping Stations, including biological, mechanical, civil, electrical, instrumentation, and chemical treatment processes.
  • Ensure continuous plant operations within design parameters and maintain compliance with municipality regulations and applicable environmental standards.
  • Monitor real-time process performance data, identify deviations, and implement corrective actions to optimize plant efficiency and output quality.
  • Supervise water quality testing and laboratory analysis to ensure treated effluent meets required discharge standards and permits.
  • Evaluate and optimize chemical dosing systems, including coagulants, disinfectants, and other treatment chemicals.
  • Conduct regular process audits, monitor energy consumption, and implement improvements to enhance efficiency and reduce operational costs.
  • Oversee the safe and compliant handling, storage, and disposal of sludge and chemical by-products.
  • Develop, implement, and continuously improve preventive maintenance (PM) schedules for plant equipment, including pumps, blowers, surface aerators, motors, control panels, PLC panels, MCC panels, instrumentation, SCADA systems, and civil structures.
  • Manage corrective maintenance activities and ensure rapid resolution of equipment breakdowns to minimize plant downtime.
  • Plan and supervise major overhauls, equipment replacements, and capital maintenance works in coordination with clients and relevant stakeholders.
  • Maintain an accurate asset management register, including equipment history, maintenance records, and warranty information.
  • Ensure calibration and functional testing of critical instrumentation, meters, and control systems according to prescribed schedules.
  • Coordinate and supervise specialist subcontractors and third-party service providers for maintenance activities.
  • Assess and prioritize maintenance work orders based on criticality and operational impact.
  • Lead, supervise, and mentor the O&M team, including Senior Operators, Mechanical and Electrical Technicians, Operators, and Support Staff across assigned sites.
  • Allocate daily tasks, monitor attendance, coordinate shift planning and leave management, and ensure effective manpower deployment across multiple sites.
  • Conduct performance evaluations, identify training requirements, and provide on-the-job coaching and mentoring to team members.
  • Manage emergency plans during excessive flows, rain, floods, environmental disasters, and natural calamities affecting pumping stations and treatment facilities.
  • Enforce compliance with all Health, Safety, and Environmental (HSE) policies, procedures, and statutory requirements.
  • Ensure compliance with Permit-to-Work (PTW), Lockout/Tagout (LOTO), and confined space entry procedures.
  • Investigate incidents, near-misses, and unsafe conditions and implement appropriate corrective and preventive actions.
  • Ensure the availability, proper use, and maintenance of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and safety tools.
  • Maintain environmental compliance regarding effluent discharge quality, chemical handling, waste management, and noise control.
  • Coordinate with the HSE team regarding safety concerns, PPE requirements, HSE visits, and inductions.
  • Maintain comprehensive documentation, including operational logs, maintenance records, incident reports, compliance reports, and laboratory results.
  • Prepare and submit daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly, and annual O&M performance reports to clients and relevant authorities.
  • Develop and maintain Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), emergency response plans, and operational manuals for critical plant systems.
  • Track and report Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), including plant availability, energy consumption, and treatment efficiency.
  • Ensure regulatory submissions, permit renewals, and inspection documentation are completed accurately and on time.
  • Serve as the primary technical point of contact for clients, municipality representatives, consultants, and regulatory bodies for O&M-related matters.
  • Attend client coordination meetings, technical reviews, and site inspections and provide prompt, professional, and solution-oriented responses to queries and operational issues.
  • Maintain readiness to respond to emergency breakdowns, system failures, and critical incidents outside regular working hours when required.
  • Support clients in plant expansion, upgrade, and rehabilitation projects by providing technical and O&M expertise.
  • Manage the procurement and inventory of spare parts, consumables, chemicals, and tools while maintaining appropriate stock levels.
  • Evaluate supplier performance and material quality and recommend suitable vendors.
  • Prepare material requisitions, technical specifications, and scopes of work for the procurement of equipment and services.
  • Monitor operational expenditure against approved O&M budgets and identify cost-saving opportunities without compromising quality.
  • Maintain accurate records of procurement activities, material receipts, and inventory movements.
  • Design and deliver training programs for O&M staff covering plant processes, equipment operation, safety procedures, and emergency response.
  • Identify individual and team skill gaps and support knowledge sharing, cross-training, succession planning, and new employee onboarding.
  • Participate in client visits, technical meetings, and sales presentations to support 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.
  • Develop and maintain strong relationships with existing and prospective clients to support customer satisfaction and repeat business.
  • Coordinate with internal departments for the timely submission of quotations, technical proposals, and project documentation.
  • Conduct market research and competitor analysis to identify emerging opportunities and industry trends.
  • Assist in promoting services and capabilities to clients, consultants, and government entities.
  • Monitor ongoing projects and identify opportunities for additional services, upgrades, and Operations & Maintenance contracts.

Job Requirements:

  • Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Chemical, or Environmental Engineering, or an equivalent qualification.
  • Valid UAE driving licence.
  • Additional certifications in wastewater treatment, SCADA/PLC systems, or HSE management will be an advantage.
  • Strong knowledge of biological treatment processes, including Activated Sludge, MBR, MBBR, SBR, ASP, and FCR.
  • Strong knowledge of mechanical systems and electrical and instrumentation equipment used in water and wastewater treatment operations.
  • Proficiency in SCADA/PLC systems and Microsoft Office applications.
  • Solid understanding of Health, Safety, and Environmental regulations applicable to water and wastewater treatment operations.
  • Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, P&IDs, and technical specifications.
  • Strong leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills with the ability to manage diverse teams.
  • Excellent problem-solving, analytical, and decision-making skills, particularly when working 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.
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