Principal Engineer Mechanical Aviation Buildings📣 Job Ad

About the Role

WSP in the Middle East is seeking a Principal Mechanical Engineer to lead the design and delivery of complex aviation and industrial buildings. This full-time position is based in Dammam, Saudi Arabia, and requires over 10 years of experience.

Role Overview

This role involves leading the mechanical engineering design and delivery for specialized aviation facilities, including aircraft maintenance hangars, corrosion control/paint shops, engine/APU workshops, and large-scale flight catering facilities. The Principal Mechanical Engineer will serve as the technical authority for HVAC and specialist process systems, ensuring outcomes meet stringent safety, hygiene, and performance standards from concept through to issued for construction (IFC) stages.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead mechanical/HVAC design from feasibility and basis-of-design (BoD) through detailed design, tender, and construction support for aviation facilities.
• Develop environmental strategies for large volumes, addressing heating/cooling, destratification, purge/exhaust modes, make-up air, and controls, balancing energy, indoor air quality (IAQ), and safety, in accordance with UFC/ASHRAE/NFPA standards.
• Engineer specialist ventilation for hazardous operations, including paint spray booths, fuel-cell maintenance, welding/fume extraction, VOC control, and hazardous-area interfaces.
• Design and specify compressed air systems, covering generation, drying, filtration, storage, distribution, and quality classes (ISO 8573).
• Integrate process utilities for MRO and workshops, such as vacuum, nitrogen, process cooling water, and condensate management, coordinating with fire/life safety and electrical systems.
• Design HVAC and hygienic air zones for catering facilities, including kitchen exhaust and make-up air (NFPA 96), pressure cascades, temperature/humidity control, and cold-chain room interfaces aligned with HACCP/ISO 22000.
• Deliver BIM-led coordination using Revit/Navisworks across disciplines, leading clash resolution and model quality assurance.
• Perform calculations and simulations for loads, duct/pipe sizing, ventilation rates, smoke/fume capture, and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) where necessary.
• Author technical documents including BoDs, design reports, specifications, sequences of operation, control narratives, and FAT/SAT/commissioning plans.
• Mentor and review the work of engineers and designers, leading design reviews, HAZOPs, and constructability/operability workshops.
• Engage with stakeholders such as airlines, MROs, airport operators, and authorities to secure approvals and ensure smooth project delivery.
• Lead retrofit, refurbishment, and brownfield upgrade projects in operational airport environments, assessing existing systems, developing phased strategies, and ensuring minimal disruption.

Key Systems and Domains

• Hangars & Workshops: General and emergency exhaust, purge ventilation, floor-level capture, destratification/HVLS fans, door air management, radiant/air systems, PCA and GSE interfaces.
• Paint/Corrosion Control: Booth/room supply & exhaust, filtration, interlocks, LEL sensing, VOC abatement, and hazardous-area zoning (ATEX/IECEx).
• Welding & Fabrication: Local exhaust ventilation (LEV), fume extraction, booth/backdraft design, and general dilution ventilation.
• Compressed Air: System selection, dryers, filtration to ISO 8573 purity classes, and breathing-air systems to OSHA Grade D where required.
• Catering Facilities: High-duty kitchen exhaust & make-up air, grease ducting, pressure zoning for hygiene, and interfaces to cold rooms and clean areas aligned with HACCP/ISO 22000.

Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering.
• Professional registration (*, CEng/PE) is strongly preferred.
• Over 15 years of experience in building services (mechanical/HVAC), with significant aviation/industrial project delivery.
• Proven leadership experience as a Lead/Principal Engineer on multi-disciplinary design projects.
• Deep knowledge of codes and standards relevant to aviation assets, including NFPA 409, NFPA 33, NFPA 96, ASHRAE *, ASHRAE *, ISO 8573, and OSHA ***** / CGA ***
• Expertise in writing BoDs, specifications, P&IDs, and control sequences.
• Proficiency in BIM software (Revit, Navisworks) and calculation tools (*, IES-VE/HAP/eQuest); CFD exposure is preferred.
• Strong client-facing communication and team leadership skills, with experience in mentoring and QA/QC.
• Willingness to be based at Dammam Airport for the initial phase of the project, with potential relocation to the main office upon project completion.

Additional Considerations

• Prior experience delivering projects in live airport environments is advantageous.
• Familiarity with PCA/GPU integration and hangar door infiltration strategies is beneficial.
• Experience with food-safe HVAC zoning and cleanroom-adjacent spaces in food processing is a plus.