Position Title: Certification Engineer (Certification Authority)
Location: Milan (Italy)
Reporting to: Project Quality Manager
Hill International provides program, project, and construction management services for clients in a range of sectors undertaking major construction projects across the world. Our services include cost engineering and estimating, quality assurance, inspection, scheduling, risk management, and claims avoidance. For more information on Hill, please visit our website at www.hillintl.com
The Certification Engineer is responsible for managing and verifying that all project deliverables — from engineering through procurement, construction, installation, commissioning, and handover — comply with the applicable certification scheme requirements. This typically involves working under a Certification Authority (CA) such as Lloyds Register or BV, ensuring the project satisfies all regulatory, class, and client certification obligations before operation. The role ensures that all equipment, systems, and documentation are certified, traceable, and approved in accordance with relevant codes, standards, and statutory requirements.
General Description of Role and Responsibilities [ but not limited to ]:
Certification Planning & Control
* Develop and maintain the Project Certification Plan in line with client, CA, and regulatory requirements.
* Establish a Certification Index or Master Certification Register listing all items and systems requiring certification.
* Define certification deliverables for each discipline and project phase.
Compliance Management
* Ensure compliance with applicable class rules, API/ASME/ISO standards, and statutory regulations.
* Coordinate with engineering teams to confirm designs meet certification requirements from the outset.
* Review vendor documentation to verify conformity with the CA-approved design.
Documentation & Records
* Control and maintain certification dossiers, including Material Certificates, Test Certificates, Welding Procedure Qualifications (WPQ), Factory Acceptance Tests (FAT), and Inspection & Test Records.
* Ensure traceability of materials and equipment through the supply chain.
* Prepare documentation for Certificate of Conformity, Fitness for Purpose, or Statement of Compliance.
* Coordination with Certification Authority.
* Act as the focal point between the project team and the CA (e.g., DNV, ABS, LR, BV).
* Arrange inspections, witness points, and audits as required by the CA.
* Submit required documentation for CA review and respond to technical queries.
Inspection & Verification Support
* Support inspection teams in ensuring materials, fabrication, and installations comply with certification requirements.
* Witness and verify hydrotests, load tests, NDT, commissioning tests where required.
* Ensure all NCRs related to certification items are resolved and documented.
Handover & Close-Out
* Compile and submit the Final Certification Dossier to the client and CA.
* Ensure all certificates are signed, approved, and complete prior to operational readiness.
* Support regulatory and flag state inspections during final acceptance.
Qualifications, Experience, Knowledge and Skills:
* Bachelors degree in Mechanical, Structural, Marine, or related Engineering discipline.
* 10+ years experience in oil & gas projects, with at least 5 years in certification or verification roles.
* Candidates should have a minimum of 5 years of offshore experience in total, with at least the last 3–5 years spent on offshore projects.
* Strong understanding of international standards and certification schemes (e.g., API, ASME, AWS, ISO, IEC).
* Experience working with third-party CAs such as DNV, BV.
* Familiarity with fabrication, construction, commissioning, and offshore installation processes.
* Certification in QA/QC or Inspection (e.g., ISO 9001 Lead Auditor, CSWIP, API, ASNT).
* Experience in EPC or EPCI projects for offshore platforms, subsea systems, or LNG facilities.
* Knowledge of local regulatory regimes (e.g., NOPSEMA, UK HSE, USCG).