Job Overview

Stantec is seeking an experienced Operations & Maintenance (O&M) Specialist to support TAQA Water Solutions projects in Abu Dhabi. The successful candidate will provide technical expertise during the design, construction, commissioning, handover, and operational phases of wastewater, sewerage, pumping station, and associated utility infrastructure projects.

The O&M Specialist will ensure that operational and maintenance requirements are fully integrated into project delivery, facilitating efficient asset performance, reliability, maintainability, and compliance with TAQA-WS standards.

Key Responsibilities

Operations & Maintenance Planning

Review and develop O&M strategies, maintenance philosophies, and asset management plans for water and wastewater infrastructure projects.
Ensure maintainability, operability, reliability, and lifecycle cost considerations are incorporated into project design and construction.
Review operation and maintenance manuals submitted by contractors and vendors.
Evaluate preventive, predictive, and corrective maintenance requirements for infrastructure assets.

Technical Review & Compliance

Review design documents, drawings, specifications, and method statements from an O&M perspective.
Ensure compliance with TAQA-WS standards, Abu Dhabi regulations, and industry best practices.
Participate in technical reviews, design workshops, value engineering sessions, and risk assessments.
Identify operational risks and recommend mitigation measures during project implementation.

Construction, Testing & Commissioning Support

Support inspection, testing, commissioning, and performance verification activities.
Coordinate with construction supervision teams to ensure O&M requirements are addressed during installation and commissioning.
Participate in Factory Acceptance Tests (FAT), Site Acceptance Tests (SAT), and commissioning activities.
Verify that operational performance targets are achieved before asset handover.

Asset Handover & Documentation

Lead or support the review of asset handover packages, including as-built drawings, maintenance schedules, spare parts lists, and operational procedures.
Ensure completeness and accuracy of O&M documentation before acceptance by the client.
Coordinate with contractors and stakeholders to close outstanding defects and punch-list items.

Stakeholder Coordination

Liaise with TAQA-WS representatives, consultants, contractors, and operations teams.
Participate in project meetings and provide specialist O&M input.
Support training programs for client operational teams to facilitate smooth transition into operations.

Performance Monitoring & Continuous Improvement

Analyze asset performance data and identify opportunities for optimization.
Recommend improvements to operational procedures, maintenance practices, and asset reliability.
Support implementation of asset management best practices aligned with ISO 55001 principles where applicable.

Qualifications

Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Process Engineering, or a related discipline.
Master's Degree or relevant professional certification is an advantage.

Experience

Minimum 10-15 years of experience in operations, maintenance, asset management, commissioning, or engineering of utility infrastructure projects.
Proven experience in wastewater networks, sewerage systems, pumping stations, treatment plants, or water infrastructure projects.
Previous experience with TAQA Water Solutions (TAQA-WS), ADDC, ADSSC, or similar utility operators in the UAE is highly desirable.
Experience supporting handover, commissioning, and operational readiness for large infrastructure projects.