Principal / Associate Electrical Airport Project Experience

About the Role

WSP in the Middle East is seeking a Principal / Associate Electrical Engineer with extensive airport project experience to join their team in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. This full-time role involves leading the design and delivery of complex aviation and industrial buildings, including aircraft maintenance hangars, engine/APU workshops, and large-scale flight catering environments. The successful candidate will act as the electrical technical authority, overseeing power distribution, ELV systems, airfield/ground systems interfaces, and hazardous-area electrical design, delivering concept-to-IFC solutions aligned with stringent safety, operational, and regulatory requirements.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead electrical design from feasibility and Basis of Design (BoD) through detailed design, tender, and construction support for aviation facilities.
• Develop electrical power strategies for large-scale facilities, including MV/LV distribution, redundancy, load management, earthing, and control philosophies, balancing reliability, safety, and energy performance (IEC/NFPA context).
• Engineer electrical systems for hazardous operations such as paint booths/rooms, fuel-cell maintenance areas, and welding zones, ensuring ATEX/IECEx compliance and coordination with mechanical ventilation and controls.
• Design and specify power systems for aviation facilities, including transformers, generators, UPS, distribution boards, and backup systems for mission-critical operations.
• Integrate electrical utilities across MRO and workshop environments, including ground power units (GPU), PCA interfaces, process equipment loads, and coordination with mechanical, fire/life safety, and control systems.
• Shape electrical systems for catering facilities, focusing on resilient power distribution for kitchens, cold-chain systems, and hygienic areas aligned with HACCP/ISO 22000 requirements.
• Deliver BIM-led coordination (Revit/Navisworks) across architecture, structures, MEP, and specialist systems, leading clash resolution and model QA.
• Perform calculations and studies, including load estimation, cable sizing, protection coordination, short-circuit analysis, and lighting design.
• Author technical documents such as BoD, load schedules, single-line diagrams (SLDs), specifications, and commissioning plans.
• Mentor and review engineers/designers, leading design reviews, HAZOPs, and constructability/operability workshops.
• Engage stakeholders (airlines, MROs, airport operators, and authorities) to secure approvals and ensure smooth project delivery.
• Lead retrofit, refurbishment, and brownfield upgrades in operational airport environments, assessing existing systems, planning phased upgrades, and integrating new systems with minimal disruption while improving capacity, compliance, and energy performance.

Key Systems and Domains

• Hangars & Workshops: MV/LV distribution, ground power units (GPU), PCA electrical interfaces, high-bay lighting, emergency power, earthing and bonding for aircraft safety, and hangar door electrics.
• Paint/Corrosion Control: Hazardous-area electrical systems, explosion-proof equipment, interlocks, LEL monitoring interfaces, and ATEX/IECEx compliance coordinated with ventilation and controls.
• Welding & Fabrication: Power distribution for welding equipment, equipment earthing, task lighting, and integration with extraction/LEV systems aligned with OSHA/ACGIH guidance.
• Power Systems: Transformers, generators, UPS, LV panels, and distribution networks designed for redundancy, resilience, and mission-critical operations.
• Catering Facilities: Resilient power supply for kitchens, cold rooms/freezers, food processing areas, and hygienic zoning aligned with HACCP/ISO 22000 requirements.
• ELV & Controls: Fire alarm systems (NFPA 72), ICT, security (CCTV/access control), structured cabling, and BMS/SCADA integration for operational monitoring and control.

Qualifications and Experience

• A minimum of 10 years of experience in electrical engineering, with a significant focus on airport projects and aviation facilities.
• Demonstrated expertise in power distribution, ELV systems, airfield/ground systems interfaces, and hazardous-area electrical design.
• Proficiency in BIM-led coordination using Revit/Navisworks.
• Strong understanding of relevant international standards and regulations (*, IEC/NFPA, ATEX/IECEx, HACCP/ISO 22000, OSHA/ACGIH).

Work Environment

This role is based in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and is a full-time position within WSP in the Middle East. The successful candidate will join a global team of over 69,000 employees, contributing to projects that make a difference in communities worldwide.

Application Process

Interested candidates are encouraged to apply today.