R&D Automation Systems Engineer

About the Role

Saudi Air Navigation Services (SANS) is seeking an R&D Automation Systems Engineer to join their team in Jeddah. This full-time role is focused on supporting R&D initiatives for next-generation Air Traffic Management (ATM) systems, ensuring they align with SANS operational needs for safe, efficient, scalable, and cyber-resilient Air Traffic Control services.

Role Purpose and Context

The primary purpose of this role is to contribute to and support R&D initiatives related to the deployment of advanced ATM systems. This involves analyzing and documenting complex requirements, participating in vendor evaluations, and supporting the testing and validation of cloud-native, Service-Oriented Architecture (SOA) platforms. The engineer will ensure systems meet SANS operational needs within defined KPIs, budgets, and adopted policies.

Key Responsibilities

• Support the development of the SANS Engineering Masterplan for ATM Automation systems, capturing and addressing needs at strategic and business planning milestones.
• Define, document, and maintain ATM systems requirements and Scope of Works (SOWs), ensuring alignment with approved architecture standards, interoperability, international masterplans (*, SESAR, FAA), and regulatory requirements.
• Assist in assessing the impact of changes in ATS procedures and airspace structure on ATM systems using Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) frameworks.
• Coordinate with other ANSPs for technical interfacing integration and communication, focusing on SWIM and interoperability protocols (AIXM, FIXM, WXXM).
• Participate in and introduce Working Papers at international and regional conferences and ICAO panels related to ATM systems.
• Coordinate with SANS Departments to ensure compatibility of ATM systems designs with current and future CNS/ATM systems and infrastructure, adhering to transversal constraints such as Safety, Cybersecurity, Human Factors, and Network Performance.
• Participate in system (SDR), preliminary (PDR), and critical (CDR) design review meetings.
• Conduct technical evaluations of prospective ATM Automation system vendors, assessing compliance against requirements and maturity in delivering cloud-native microservices.
• Develop, maintain, and analyze Vendor Scorecards tracking KPIs such as Reliability, Availability, and Mean Time to Recovery (MTTR).
• Participate in reviewing technical proposals for CNS systems, ensuring solutions avoid vendor lock-in and align with the ANSP's strategic roadmap.
• Participate in R&D validations, ATM system testing, commissioning, and hand-over of projects, ensuring delivered systems meet specifications and performance.
• Support maintenance activities of ATM systems and monitor on-site activities to ensure completion as per agreed specifications and quality standards.
• Participate in the analysis of systems trouble reports (STRs) and conduct required modification programs and systems change processes (SCPs).
• Advise the ATM Systems Chief on any potential impact of ongoing projects on ATC service delivery.
• Conduct day-to-day activities in compliance with policies and procedures.
• Contribute to identifying opportunities for continuous improvement of systems and processes.

Qualifications and Experience

• 0-1 years of relevant experience.

Work Environment

This is a full-time position based in Jeddah, focusing on critical infrastructure development within the air navigation services sector.

Application Information

Further details regarding the application process and salary will be provided to qualified candidates.