PURPOSE OF JOB: The Lifting / Rigging Methods Engineer is responsible for developing, reviewing, and supporting safe and practical lifting, rigging, transportation, and installation methods for project operations. The role ensures that all lifting activities are properly engineered, planned, risk assessed, documented, and executed in accordance with project requirements, applicable regulations, company procedures, and recognized industry standards.
MAIN DUTIES: Method Statements and Work Packs
- Prepare detailed method statements, rigging sketches, lift plans, task risk assessments, and job execution packs.
- Ensure lifting procedures clearly define sequence of work, equipment requirements, personnel roles, communication methods, exclusion zones, hold points, and emergency arrangements.
- Coordinate with construction, fabrication, marine, logistics, HSE, QA/QC, and operations teams to align the lifting method with site conditions and project schedule.
- Support constructability reviews and provide practical engineering solutions for lifting, handling, and installation challenges.
- Capture lessons learned and record into NOV’s Lessons Learned.
Provide MTOs for the required materials.
Site Support and Execution
- Provide technical support during lifting operations, including pre-lift checks, toolbox talks, site inspections, and verification of rigging arrangements.
- Confirm that cranes, lifting appliances, rigging gear, lifting accessories, and temporary structures are certified and suitable for use.
- Monitor critical lifts and ensure the approved lifting plan is followed during execution.
- Assist in resolving site issues related to access, equipment positioning, lifting clearances, ground conditions, obstructions, and interface conflicts.
- In Fabrication Construction Support Engineering, perform/review designs, analyses, evaluations, calculations, and procedures such as:
- Erection sequences for jackets, topsides, and other structures
- Loadout procedures and guidance during the operations
- Construction lift analyses and procedures for activities such as , stackings, roll-ups, etc.
- Weighing procedures
- Design and detailing of miscellaneous fabrication yard items
- Crane arrangements and rigging arrangements
- Trailer arrangements/operations, including drawings and procedures
Safety, Compliance, and Risk Management
- Ensure lifting plans comply with applicable standards, local regulations, company lifting procedures, and project HSE requirements.
- Participate in HAZOP, JSA, SIMOPS, and constructability reviews related to lifting and rigging activities.
- Identify hazards associated with lifting operations and define appropriate mitigation measures.
- Ensure engineered lifts are reviewed and approved by the HSE PMT departments
- Promote a strong safety culture and stop work where unsafe conditions or deviations from the approved plan are identified.
Documentation and Technical Review
- Review vendor and subcontractor lifting plans, rigging studies, transport drawings, and installation procedures.
- Maintain proper records of calculations, drawings, lift plans, approvals, inspection certificates, and close-out documentation.
- Prepare as built or post-lift reports when required.
- Support lessons learned reviews and contributed to continuous improvement of lifting and rigging practices.
Key Competencies
- Strong safety mindset and attention to detail.
- Practical problem-solving ability.
- Good communication and coordination skills.
- Ability to work under pressure and support site execution.
- Strong planning organizational and communication skills.
- Ability to challenge unsafe practices and ensure compliance with approved procedures.
Team-oriented approach with the ability to work across engineering, construction, HSE, and operations teams
Authority and Accountability
The Lifting / Rigging Methods Engineer is accountable for ensuring lifting methods are technically sound, properly documented, risk assessed, and suitable for safe execution. The role has the authority to recommend changes to lifting methods and to stop or escalate any lifting operation that does not comply with the approved plan or presents an unacceptable safety risk.
RESPONSIBILITY: Lifting and Rigging Engineering
- Develop lifting plans, rigging studies, method statements, and execution procedures for routine, complex, and critical lifting operations.
- Prepare and review lifting calculations, including crane capacity checks, rigging loads, sling angles, centre of gravity, pad eye/lug checks, spreader beam loads, ground bearing pressure, and load distribution.
- Select suitable lifting equipment, including cranes, slings, shackles, spreader beams, lifting beams, chain blocks, winches, skidding systems, jacks, and temporary support arrangements.
- Review drawings, load data, structural details, and site conditions to confirm lifting feasibility.
- Identify lifting points, rigging configurations, and engineered controls required for safe execution.
Required Qualifications
- Degree or diploma in Mechanical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Structural Engineering, Marine Engineering, Naval Architect, or a related technical discipline.
- Relevant Heavy lifting and rigging engineering experience in construction, oil and gas, marine, fabrication sector
- Formal training or certification in lifting operations, rigging planning, appointed person duties, or crane/lifting supervision is preferred.
- Knowledge of crane operations, rigging equipment, lifting accessories, temporary works, and heavy transport methods.
- Preferably Registered Engineer in Training (ElT) or member of a professional engineering society.
Required Experience
- Minimum 5 YEARS Experience preparing lift plans, rigging studies, method statements, and lifting calculations.
- Minimum 5 YEARS Experience with mobile cranes, crawler cranes, overhead cranes, gantry systems, jack-up/skidding systems, and heavy load handling.
- Min 5 YEARS Experience working with critical lifts, tandem lifts, Multiple crane lifts (more than 2) heavy module construction installation is an advantage.
- Familiarity with crane load charts, rigging drawings, lifting equipment certificates, and site execution requirements.
Technical Skills
- Ability to calculate sling loads, crane utilization, lifting beam forces, center of gravity, ground bearing pressure, and load stability.
- Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, fabrication drawings, rigging drawings, and crane load charts.
- Knowledge of relevant lifting standards and good industry practices.
- Proficiency in AutoCAD or similar drawing software is preferred.
- Knowledge of lift planning software, crane planning tools, or 3D model review software is an advantage (preferable SACS)
- Good technical writing skills for method statements, procedures, and reports.
- Familiar with the content and application of international standards, codes, and guidelines as applicable.