Principal / Associate Electrical Airport Project Experience📣 Job Ad

About the Opportunity

WSP Middle East is seeking a Principal / Associate Electrical Engineer with extensive airport project experience to join our team in Riyadh. This full-time role requires a professional with over 10 years of experience, focusing on leading the design and delivery of complex aviation and industrial buildings.

Role Overview and Project Scope

The successful candidate will serve as the electrical technical authority, responsible for overseeing power distribution, ELV systems, airfield and ground systems interfaces, and hazardous-area electrical design. This position involves delivering comprehensive concept-to-IFC solutions, ensuring alignment with stringent safety, operational, and regulatory requirements for facilities such as aircraft maintenance hangars, engine/APU workshops, and large-scale flight catering environments.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead electrical design from feasibility and Basis of Design (BoD) through detailed design, tender, and construction support for aviation facilities.
• Develop and manage the electrical power strategy for large-scale facilities, including MV/LV distribution, redundancy, load management, earthing, and control philosophies, balancing reliability, safety, and energy performance within IEC/NFPA contexts.
• Engineer electrical systems for hazardous operations such as paint booths, 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, covering 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, providing resilient power distribution for kitchens, cold-chain systems, and hygienic areas in line with HACCP/ISO 22000 requirements.
• Lead BIM-led coordination (Revit/Navisworks) across architecture, structures, MEP, and specialist systems, including clash resolution and model QA.
• Perform calculations and studies such as load estimation, cable sizing, protection coordination, short-circuit analysis, and lighting design.
• Author technical documents including BoD, load schedules, single-line diagrams (SLDs), specifications, and commissioning plans.
• Mentor and review engineers/designers, lead design reviews, HAZOPs, and constructability/operability workshops.
• Engage stakeholders, including 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.

Specialized Systems and Technical 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.

Required Qualifications and Experience

• Professional registration (CEng, PE, or equivalent).
• Demonstrated experience leading multidisciplinary design teams and delivering major projects.
• Strong knowledge of international electrical design codes, standards, and aviation requirements.
• Expertise in MV/LV power distribution, load assessments, protection systems, and earthing design.
• Proficiency in BIM and industry-standard design software, including Revit, Navisworks, ETAP, and Dialux.
• Experience in airport facilities, terminal buildings, and aviation-related infrastructure is highly desirable.

Location and Employment Type

This is a full-time position based in Riyadh. WSP Middle East offers a professional environment for individuals seeking to contribute to significant aviation infrastructure projects.