Engagement details:Job Title: Head of Quality Client: Prominent Regional Corporate Firm - Oil & Gas Employment type: Permanent role Location: Onsite in Dammam, KSAExperience level: 15+ years
About the Joint Venture:The JV is being established to build a state-of-the-art Advanced Precision Machining and Remanufacturing Facility, aligned with Saudi Vision 2030 and IKTVA (In-Kingdom Total Value Add) mandates.
The initial and primary industry focus of the JV is the Oil & Gas – Upstream segment, including drilling, wellhead, pressure control, and production equipment components. The facility is being designed to meet API-driven and upstream qualification standards required by major EPCs and energy operators in the Kingdom.
Role Overview:The Head of Quality will be responsible for establishing, leading, and continuously improving the Quality Management System for an advanced CNC machining and API certified remanufacturing & repair facility serving the Middle East oil & gas sector. The role ensures full compliance with API, ISO, customer, and regulatory requirements while driving a strong quality culture across operations.
The role requires deep familiarity with Oil & Gas upstream customer qualification cycles, API standards, and high-integrity machining and remanufacturing of critical components.
Key Responsibilities:1. Quality Leadership & Strategy Lead the overall Quality function for machining, remanufacturing, repair, and service operations. Define and implement quality strategies aligned with API, ISO, and customer specific requirements. Act as Management Representative for Quality during audits and customer reviews. Build a strong quality culture focused on prevention, compliance, and continuous improvement.
2. Standards, Certifications & Compliance Ensure compliance and certification maintenance for:API Q1 / API Q2API product certifications (as applicable – API 6A, 7-1, 16A, etc.) ISO 9001Customer-specific Oil & Gas standards (ARAMCO, ADNOC, PDO, etc.) Lead API audits, surveillance audits, and customer audits end-to-end. Ensure compliance with Saudi Aramco and regional regulatory requirements.
3. Manufacturing & Process Quality Oversee quality assurance for:Advanced CNC machining (VMC, HMC, Turning, Multi-axis) Remanufacturing, refurbishment, and repair of oil & gas components Approve process controls, inspection plans, control plans, and quality gates. Ensure first article inspection (FAI), in-process inspection, and final inspection effectiveness. Review machining drawings, GD&T, specifications, and customer requirements.
4. Inspection, Testing & Metrology Ensure robust inspection and testing practices including:Dimensional inspection (CMM, gauges, precision tools) NDT coordination (UT, MPI, PT, RT as applicable) Material traceability and certification (MTCs) Maintain calibration systems and metrology compliance.
5. Non-Conformance & Corrective Action Lead NCR, CAR, and CAPA processes. Drive root cause analysis using tools such as 8D, 5-Why, Fishbone. Reduce internal and external rejection, rework, and customer complaints. Lead customer complaint resolution and technical clarifications.
6. Supplier & Vendor Quality Establish and manage Supplier Quality Assurance (SQA). Qualify, audit, and monitor suppliers and subcontractors. Ensure material and outsourced process compliance to API and customer standards.
Qualification & Experience:Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or related discipline. Quality certifications (Lead Auditor – ISO / API) preferred.15+ years in Quality within Oil & Gas manufacturing / machining environment. Minimum 5–7 years in a leadership role managing quality teams. Strong experience with API Q1 / Q2 and API repair & remanufacturing. Proven exposure to advanced CNC machining operations. Middle East experience is highly preferred.
Technical Skills:API standards & Oil & Gas customer specifications CNC machining quality control & GD&TRoot cause analysis & problem-solving tools NDT coordination & inspection methods ERP / QMS documentation systems Audit handling & customer interface