A Maintenance Engineer in UAE earns between AED 108,000 and AED 240,000 per year. The role plans, executes, and optimises maintenance activities for rotating and static equipment in oil and gas, power, and manufacturing facilities. It requires a bachelor’s degree in mechanical or electrical engineering, 3 to 10 years of maintenance engineering experience, and knowledge of reliability-centred maintenance (RCM) methods.
UAE and Saudi Arabia
Salary: AED 108,000–240,000
Updated 2025
Maintenance Engineer Responsibilities
The table below lists the primary responsibilities of a Maintenance Engineer in UAE and Saudi Arabia as of 2025. Each responsibility is stated as a discrete, measurable activity.
| Responsibility | Frequency | Output / Deliverable |
|---|---|---|
| Develop and maintain preventive maintenance (PM) schedules | Monthly | PM completion rate above 95 percent per month |
| Conduct failure mode and effects analysis (FMEA) on critical equipment | Per study | FMEA report with maintenance task optimisation |
| Plan and execute corrective maintenance work orders | As required | Work orders closed within agreed priority SLA |
| Manage spare parts planning and critical spares inventory | Quarterly | Critical spares availability above 98 percent |
| Oversee maintenance contractor performance | Per contract | Contractor KPIs reviewed monthly |
| Produce weekly maintenance performance KPI reports | Weekly | KPI dashboard submitted to maintenance manager |
Maintenance Engineer Qualifications and Requirements
The following qualifications apply to a Maintenance Engineer role in UAE and Saudi Arabia. Requirements vary by sector and employer size.
| Requirement | Standard |
|---|---|
| Education | Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or Electrical Engineering |
| Experience | 3 to 10 years in maintenance engineering in oil and gas or heavy industry |
| CMMS | SAP PM, Maximo, or Infor EAM proficiency required |
| Reliability | RCM, FMEA, or RCFA methodology experience |
| Equipment | Rotating equipment (pumps, compressors, turbines) or static equipment experience |
| Communication | Maintenance reporting and work order documentation skills |
All employment contracts in the UAE are governed by Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021. A Maintenance Engineer employed in mainland UAE requires a Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) approved contract. ADGM, DIFC, and free zone employees are subject to their respective authority’s employment regulations.
How RFS Recruits a Maintenance Engineer
- You brief RFS with the role specification, seniority level, and team structure. The briefing call takes 30 minutes.
- RFS searches its active candidate database and activates direct outreach within 24 hours of instruction.
- RFS delivers a shortlist of 3 to 5 pre-screened Maintenance Engineer candidates within 48 to 72 hours.
- You conduct interviews. RFS coordinates scheduling and candidate communication throughout.
- RFS supports offer negotiation and manages the candidate’s notice period and onboarding.
- The 6-month replacement guarantee activates from the candidate’s start date.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a Maintenance Engineer earn in UAE?
A Maintenance Engineer in UAE earns between AED 108,000 and AED 240,000 per year. Oil and gas maintenance engineers at ADNOC contractors earn AED 156,000 to AED 240,000. Manufacturing and power sector roles earn AED 108,000 to AED 168,000.
Which CMMS systems are used by UAE oil and gas companies?
SAP Plant Maintenance (PM) is the most widely used CMMS in UAE oil and gas, specified by ADNOC and its operating companies. IBM Maximo is used by utilities and some petrochemical plants. Infor EAM is common in manufacturing. Proficiency in SAP PM is the most valued CMMS skill in UAE maintenance engineering job postings.
How does RFS recruit Maintenance Engineers?
RFS sources Maintenance Engineer candidates for oil and gas, utilities, and manufacturing clients across UAE and Saudi Arabia. A shortlist of 3 to 5 pre-screened candidates is delivered within 48 to 72 hours. The retained search fee is 15 to 18 percent of first-year total compensation.
What a Maintenance Engineer does in UAE
A Maintenance Engineer in UAE’s oil and gas sector manages the planned and corrective maintenance of rotating and static equipment at upstream, midstream, or downstream facilities, ensuring operational reliability and compliance with ADNOC Group maintenance standards and UAE safety regulations. Your maintenance decisions directly affect facility uptime and production continuity.
Key responsibilities
- Manage the planned preventive maintenance programme for all rotating and static equipment
- Execute and supervise corrective maintenance for breakdowns, ensuring safe isolation and reinstatement
- Maintain the computerised maintenance management system (CMMS) for all equipment records and work orders
- Manage spare parts inventory and procurement for critical equipment items
- Conduct root cause failure analysis for recurring equipment failures and implement engineering solutions
- Coordinate with operations on safe isolation, PTW, and return-to-service for maintenance activities
- Manage external maintenance contractors and service agreements for specialist equipment
- Support turnaround and shutdown planning and execution as part of the maintenance team
- Prepare monthly maintenance performance reports including MTBF, MTTR, and maintenance backlog
- Ensure all maintenance activities comply with ADNOC Group HSE standards and UAE regulations
Qualifications required
- Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering or equivalent
- 5 to 10 years maintenance engineering experience in UAE or GCC oil and gas
- Proficiency in CMMS platforms (SAP PM, Maximo, or equivalent)
- Rotating equipment maintenance experience (centrifugal pumps, compressors, gas turbines) preferred
- RCM (Reliability Centred Maintenance) methodology awareness
- ADNOC Group or equivalent NOC maintenance standard experience preferred
- Arabic language skills preferred for UAE team management and authority interactions
- Offshore survival certification for offshore facility roles
Maintenance Engineer salary by employer type in UAE
| Employer type | Annual salary (AED) |
|---|---|
| ADNOC Group operating facility | 240,000–420,000 |
| International oil company UAE (Shell, TotalEnergies, ENI) | 220,000–400,000 |
| EPC contractor or O&M service provider (UAE) | 190,000–360,000 |
| Gas processing or utilities facility (UAE) | 200,000–370,000 |
Contract terms for this role in UAE
Maintenance Engineer roles carry a 30 to 60 day notice period in UAE. Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021 applies to your end-of-service gratuity at 21 days basic salary per year for the first five years.
Hire a Maintenance Engineer in UAE or Saudi Arabia
RFS delivers a shortlist of pre-screened Maintenance Engineer candidates in 48 to 72 hours. Retained search fee: 15 to 18 percent of first-year total compensation. 6-month replacement guarantee on all placements.
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