Principal Engineer Electrical (Aviation)📣 Job Ad

Principal Electrical Engineer, Aviation Buildings

WSP is seeking a Principal Engineer – Electrical (Aviation) to join our team in Riyadh. This full-time role involves leading the design and delivery of complex electrical systems for aviation and industrial buildings, including aircraft maintenance hangars, engine/APU workshops, and large-scale flight catering environments.

Role Overview

The Principal Engineer will serve as the electrical technical authority, responsible for overseeing power distribution, Extra-Low Voltage (ELV) systems, airfield/ground systems interfaces, and hazardous-area electrical design. This position focuses on delivering solutions from concept to Issued For Construction (IFC) stages, ensuring alignment with stringent safety, operational, and regulatory requirements.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead electrical design processes from feasibility and Basis of Design (BoD) through detailed design, tender support, 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, focusing on 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, and lead design reviews, HAZOPs, and constructability/operability workshops.
• Engage with stakeholders such as airlines, MROs, airport operators, and authorities to secure approvals and ensure 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.

Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering; a Master's degree is preferred.
• Professional registration (CEng, PE, or equivalent) is required.
• A minimum of 15 years of experience in electrical building services design, with demonstrated experience in aviation and complex infrastructure projects.
• Proven experience leading multidisciplinary design teams and delivering major projects.

About WSP

WSP fosters a community of talented individuals dedicated to making a positive impact. Our global team comprises over 69,000 employees, collaborating to contribute to communities worldwide.

Work Environment

This is a full-time position based in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.