Director Systems and Rolling Stock

About the Role

Parsons is seeking a Director of Systems & Rolling Stock to join their team in Riyadh, Riyadh. This full-time position requires a minimum of 10 years of experience and involves providing technical vision, engineering leadership, and governance for a fully automated (GoA4) driverless rail system. The role operates client-side within a developer-led environment, bridging master planning and core rail systems.

Role Responsibilities

The Director of Systems & Rolling Stock will own the technical integrity of the system, driving decisions across the entire lifecycle from concept and design management to procurement and integration. Key responsibilities include:

• Serving as the ultimate technical authority for all railway sub-systems, including Grade of Automation 4 (GoA4) signaling (CBTC), rolling stock, power supply/traction, telecommunications, SCADA, and depot equipment.
• Leading the integration of rail infrastructure into master-planned developer sectors, ensuring civil, structural, and architectural interfaces meet system needs.
• Ensuring the system leverages modern, reliable automated rail technologies optimized for Saudi Arabia's environmental conditions.
• Acting as the primary client interface for managing international engineering consultants, Project Management Officers (PMOs), and specialized shadow operators, holding partners accountable for deliverables, quality, and timelines.
• Establishing and executing technical review gateways, safety assurance protocols (RAMS), and configuration control boards, ensuring compliance with international standards and local regulations.
• Identifying technical risks early and implementing mitigation strategies, and conducting value engineering exercises to optimize capital expenditure without compromising safety, capacity, or performance.
• Coordinating with internal and external real estate development teams to align rail system alignment, station footprints, and utility corridors with adjacent mixed-use developments.
• Navigating a developer-led environment by understanding the impact of delivery timelines, construction phasing, and rail boundaries on the broader commercial master plan.
• Resolving complex technical interface conflicts between transit systems and real estate assets, protecting operational performance while facilitating developer progress.

Required Qualifications and Experience

• A minimum of 20 years of experience in major rail infrastructure projects, with at least 5 years in a senior leadership role operating client-side or within a major project management consultancy.
• Proven track record of delivering fully automated, driverless rail transit systems (GoA4 / CBTC).
• Deep technical understanding of rolling stock procurement, systems integration, and automated depot operations.
• Demonstrated experience working within developer-led, giga-project, or complex multi-stakeholder real estate environments.
• Experience in directing and evaluating Tier 1 international engineering and design consultants.
• Experience navigating the regulatory landscape, environmental challenges, and supply chain dynamics of Saudi Arabia or the wider GCC region is preferred.

Company Overview

Parsons fosters an innovative culture that empowers employees to achieve their full potential. The company is guided by a leadership vision that values people, embraces agility, and fosters growth.