Marian Cristea

• 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).

• 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.

• 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.

• Oversaw electrical design integration across Milan, London, and Chennai during FEED and detailed engineering—aligning deliverables, standards, and execution strategy across global centers.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.