Senior Project Engineer — Facilities & EHS

About the Role:

Orbitworks is seeking an experienced Senior Project Engineer – Facilities & EHS to support the expansion and development of its satellite manufacturing facility in Abu Dhabi.

The role will initially focus on executing the upcoming facility expansion project, followed by coordinating future facility upgrades, modifications and infrastructure improvement projects. In parallel, the successful candidate will lead day-to-day Environment, Health and Safety (EHS) activities across the organization, ensuring regulatory compliance, workplace safety and continual improvement.

The ideal candidate will have strong technical expertise in industrial project execution, MEP infrastructure, contractor management and practical EHS implementation.

Key Responsibilities:

Project Engineering & Facility Development

• Coordinate facility expansion, cleanroom construction, infrastructure upgrades and future modification projects from planning through commissioning and handover.
• Review engineering drawings, technical specifications, material submittals and contractor proposals.
• Coordinate civil, architectural, MEP, fire protection and specialist cleanroom works.
• Monitor project schedules, budgets, contractor performance, construction quality and progress.
• Support procurement, technical evaluations, cost assessments, variations and project documentation.
• Coordinate testing, commissioning, inspections, defect rectification and final handover.
• Ensure construction and modification activities are carried out safely without disrupting ongoing manufacturing operations.

Infrastructure & Authority Coordination

• Coordinate HVAC, chilled-water, electrical, fire protection, compressed-air and other facility utility installations.
• Review infrastructure requirements, system capacities and interfaces with existing facilities.
• Liaise with TAQA, Abu Dhabi Civil Defence (ADCD), KEZAD and other relevant authorities for NOCs, utility connections, inspections and statutory approvals.
• Coordinate planned shutdowns, utility modifications and safe restoration of affected systems.

Environment, Health & Safety (EHS)

• Lead and coordinate day-to-day EHS activities across construction, maintenance and manufacturing operations.
• Conduct workplace inspections, risk assessments, hazard identification and safety audits.
• Monitor contractor safety, permit-to-work compliance and safe working practices.
• Coordinate incident investigations, corrective actions and emergency preparedness activities.
• Maintain EHS documentation, compliance records and statutory registers.
• Support implementation and continual improvement of ISO 45001 and ISO 14001 management systems.
• Coordinate safety training, awareness programs and regulatory compliance activities.

Qualification & Experience

Essential Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Civil or a related engineering discipline.
• 7–12 years of relevant experience in industrial construction, facility expansion or infrastructure projects.
• Strong technical knowledge of MEP systems, building utilities and industrial infrastructure.
• Proven experience in project execution, contractor coordination, scheduling, cost monitoring and commissioning.
• Experience working within operational industrial or manufacturing facilities.
• Practical experience coordinating with TAQA, Abu Dhabi Civil Defence, KEZAD and other UAE authorities.
• Hands-on experience in EHS implementation, risk assessments, workplace safety and contractor safety management.
• Proficiency in MS Project or equivalent scheduling software, Microsoft Excel and engineering drawing review.
• Strong communication, problem-solving and coordination skills.
• Valid UAE driving licence.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in cleanrooms, controlled environments or high-technology manufacturing facilities.
• Experience in industrial projects within Abu Dhabi or KEZAD.
• NEBOSH IGC or equivalent occupational safety qualification.
• Familiarity with ISO 45001, ISO 14001 and ISO 14644 standards.
• PMP or equivalent project management certification.

Orbitworks' mission is to make space simple for organizations that want to deploy physical and virtual missions to space. Building on Loft Orbital's heritage, Orbitworks will be the first commercial firm in the United Arab Emirates to mass-manufacture satellites. Orbitworks aims to manufacture tens of satellites annually and operates out of a 50,000-square-foot facility in Abu Dhabi.