Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Language Skills
Certification
Timeline
Training
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Marian Cristea

Ploiesti

Summary

Dynamic and results-driven leader with over 17 years of experience managing complex electrical systems and delivering large-scale EPC projects within the Oil & Gas and energy infrastructure sectors. Chartered Engineer (CEng.) with an MBA in Energy Management from WU Executive Academy, blending technical expertise with strategic business insight to achieve operational excellence and sustainable growth. Proven success in leading multidisciplinary teams, streamlining engineering processes, and executing high-value contracts while maintaining an impeccable safety record and generating USD 1.2M in cost savings through innovative design optimization. Committed to fostering agile, high-performing teams and cultivating a culture of collaboration, trust, and accountability to drive continuous improvement and deliver impactful results.

Overview

19
19
years of professional experience

Work History

Erection & Commissioning Manager HVDC Projects

SIEMENS ENERGY
09.2024 - Current
  • Direct all erection and commissioning (EC) activities across three large-scale HVDC projects throughout their project lifecycle — including project kick-off and status discussions, scope clarification, scheduling, site setup, construction & pre-commissioning and system testing.
  • Review customer requirements and supplier contracts, coordinate tender documents and service scopes (RFQ/DOR), devise contractual conditions and perform technical evaluations.
  • Drive the transition from bid to order costing and devise cost forecasts for EC scope. Actively define and monitor risks and opportunities throughout the project lifecycle, addressing them early to mitigate non-compliance costs (NCCs).

Commissioning Manager HVDC Projects

Siemens Energy
09.2023 - 09.2024
  • Coordinated testing activities and managed cross-discipline interfaces during the HVDC Converter System Functional Performance Test (FPT); reviewed project scope and developed commissioning protocols and schedules to ensure alignment with technical requirements and execution milestones.
  • Mentored junior engineers, enhancing their technical skills and knowledge of commissioning processes.

Lead Electrical Engineer, Berri Expansion Project

SAIPEM S.p.A
08.2021 - 08.2023
  • Led a team of 7+ engineers, streamlining workflows and reducing technical query response time—boosting productivity by 25%. Mentored junior staff in ownership, communication, and technical excellence.
  • Oversaw full-cycle site activities (engineering, construction, pre-commissioning), achieving zero safety incidents and building strong relationships with subcontractors and client stakeholders.
  • Saved over 10K man-hours by optimizing brownfield designs and resolving clashes between new and existing facilities. Negotiated change orders exceeding USD 800K.
  • Defined vendor plans, estimated costs, scheduled interventions, and approved material requests, technical evaluations, and delivery timelines.


Key Achievements:

  • Led execution of a USD 23.5M brownfield electrical scope, including a 230 kV gas-insulated switchgear extension and 196 tie-in activities. Directed a multicultural, of 15+ professionals, delivering both workstreams safely, on time, and within budget. Achieved energization milestones and supported stakeholder alignment.
  • The electrical team was the sole technical discipline selected for a Saudi government IKTIVA pilot program promoting the inclusion of young female engineers on construction sites. Their successful integration marked a key step toward gender diversity and highlighted the team's mentorship efforts.

Electrical Lead Engineer, Mozambique LNG Project

SAIPEM S.p.A
01.2021 - 06.2021
  • Oversaw electrical design integration across Milan, London, and Chennai during FEED and detailed engineering—aligning deliverables, standards, and execution strategy across global centers.

Electrical Superintendent, Hawiyah Gas Plant Expansion Project

SAIPEM S.p.A
10.2019 - 11.2020
  • Defined execution strategy for the electrical scope, aligning engineering, procurement and construction phases with site objectives and client expectations—ensuring consistency in deliverables and communication.
  • Prepared subcontracting packages, negotiated contracts and coordinated 3+ subcontractors with a total contractual value of approximately USD 105M.
  • Developed the substation energization schedule, identified the critical path, defined resource and vendor support requirements, and conducted budget analysis and cost forecasting.
  • Established frame agreements for local procurement, prepared and approved material requisitions, conducted technical evaluations, and ensured timely follow-up on vendor deliverables.
  • Identified and assessed execution-phase risks across engineering, procurement and construction scopes. Implemented mitigation plans for schedule delays, cost overruns, and interface conflicts—ensuring continuity of operations, compliance with safety standards and alignment with client expectations.
  • Led electrical site operations for the installation of 230 kV AIS and 230/13.8 kV power transformers during COVID-19 curfew conditions—ensuring uninterrupted progress and maintaining project cashflow under constrained logistics.


Key Achievements:

  • Delivered two fully equipped electrical substations—supporting ~2,000 feeders—ready for pre-commissioning, with zero safety incidents or operational interruptions, leading a direct-hire multicultural team of 35+ professionals.

Senior Electrical Engineer, Khurais

SAIPEM S.p.A
02.2018 - 08.2019
  • Led all field electrical engineering activities for high, medium, and low voltage distribution systems for the GOSP plant.
  • Prepared and approved the method statement and pre-commissioning procedure. Coordinated with client stakeholders for their approval.


Key Achievements:

  • Appointed System Completion Manager for the GOSP Plant, where I successfully led mechanical completion activities—achieving 115 kV substation energization two months ahead of schedule and handing over the plant one month early, enabling the client to commence oil production approximately two months before plan, with zero safety incidents.

Previous International Experience

01.2007 - 01.2018
  • Held various electrical engineering roles across global locations including Italy, Qatar, Nigeria, Romania, South Korea, and the Czech Republic. Employers included are SNAMPROGETTI Romania, ROMPETROL S.A., and CHICAGO BRIDGE & IRON Company.

Education

Master of Business Administration - Energy Management

University of Economics and Business of Vienna, WU Executive Academy
06.2024

Professional Certification - Chartered Engineer

Institution of Engineering and Technology
09.2022

Bachelor of Science - Electromechanical Engineering

Petroleum – Gas University of Ploiesti, Electrical and Mechanical Engineering School
06.2007

Skills

  • Strategic Thinking & Leadership
  • Team Development & Coaching
  • Contract Negotiation & Change Management
  • Cost Optimization & Value Engineering
  • Stakeholder Engagement & Client relation’s
  • Risk Management
  • International EPC Execution
  • Commissioning & Energization Milestones
  • Vendor & Sub-Contractor Management

Language Skills

Romanian - Native
English - Proficient
Italian - Proficient

Certification

United Kingdom Engineering Council

Chartered Engineer, Aug. 2022

Timeline

Erection & Commissioning Manager HVDC Projects

SIEMENS ENERGY
09.2024 - Current

Commissioning Manager HVDC Projects

Siemens Energy
09.2023 - 09.2024

Lead Electrical Engineer, Berri Expansion Project

SAIPEM S.p.A
08.2021 - 08.2023

Electrical Lead Engineer, Mozambique LNG Project

SAIPEM S.p.A
01.2021 - 06.2021

Electrical Superintendent, Hawiyah Gas Plant Expansion Project

SAIPEM S.p.A
10.2019 - 11.2020

Senior Electrical Engineer, Khurais

SAIPEM S.p.A
02.2018 - 08.2019

Previous International Experience

01.2007 - 01.2018

Professional Certification - Chartered Engineer

Institution of Engineering and Technology

Bachelor of Science - Electromechanical Engineering

Petroleum – Gas University of Ploiesti, Electrical and Mechanical Engineering School

Master of Business Administration - Energy Management

University of Economics and Business of Vienna, WU Executive Academy

Training

  • Siemens Energy: Project Management (IPMA Framework) 09.2023 – present
  • Institution of Engineering and Technology Academy & Cross Knowledge: Renewable Energy Integration, Engineer to Manager – Introduction to Management, Introduction to Wind Energy, Electrical Energy Storage System, Smart Grids 09.2021 – 03.2022
  • ROMPETROL S.A. / Trend Consult: Building strong working relationships, Effective Business Communication & Public Speaking, ETAP 12.6.0 – Load flow, Short Circuit, Motor Starting 05.2014 – 05.2017
  • SNAMPROGETTI Romania: Smart Plant Electrical – SPEL 11.2007 – 05.2008
Marian Cristea