Project Director Technical (Metro) Bid Opportunity

About SYSTRA

SYSTRA is a global engineering and consultancy firm specializing in public transport and sustainable mobility. With over 10,300 employees, SYSTRA designs transport solutions worldwide, focusing on safety, sustainability, social inclusion, and access to employment, education, and leisure. For 65 years, SYSTRA has partnered with cities and regions to develop, improve, and modernize infrastructure and transport systems across their project life cycles, from early design to maintenance. The company operates in over 80 countries, with 74% of its turnover generated internationally, and supports clients in their digital, ecological, and energy transitions.

Project Director Technical (Metro) Bid Opportunity

SYSTRA is seeking a highly experienced Project Director / Technical Director for a full-time position in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. This role is currently for a bid opportunity and any engagement will be subject to successful project award and final client approval. The Project Director / Technical Director will lead the study and design delivery of major metro projects, providing strategic leadership and deep technical oversight to ensure high-quality multidisciplinary design delivery, effective client engagement, commercial performance, and successful coordination across internal teams, international design offices, and external stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the delivery of metro and urban rail study/design projects from feasibility through tender stages.
• Provide technical direction and strategic oversight for multidisciplinary design teams.
• Manage project scope, schedule, budget, resources, and overall performance.
• Oversee multidisciplinary design management across internal teams, out-of-country design centers, and subconsultants.
• Ensure effective coordination, interface management, and quality control across geographically distributed design teams.
• Supervise the preparation and review of feasibility studies, concept designs, preliminary designs, and tender documents.
• Ensure integration between civil, structural, architectural, track, systems, depot, and operational requirements.
• Ensure compliance with client requirements, local regulations, international standards, and project governance procedures.
• Manage interfaces with clients, authorities, operators, contractors, and other stakeholders.
• Identify project risks and opportunities, and implement mitigation strategies.
• Support value engineering, constructability reviews, and design optimization.
• Provide leadership in quality assurance and technical review processes.
• Review and manage the outputs of partner organizations and specialist subconsultants.
• Mentor senior engineers and discipline leads, fostering a high-performance project environment.
• Support proposals, bids, and business development initiatives related to metro and rail opportunities.

Qualifications and Experience

• Minimum of 20 years of professional experience in rail and metro infrastructure.
• Strong expertise across the full project development cycle, including feasibility studies, concept design, preliminary design, and tender documentation phases.
• Experience in multidisciplinary design management, including coordination of out-of-country design centers and subconsultants.
• Experience in the Middle East is considered a strong advantage.

Work Environment

This role is based in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and is a full-time position. The Project Director / Technical Director will lead overall metro study and design assignments, ensuring technical, commercial, and program objectives are met. The role involves directing multidisciplinary teams covering rail planning, civil, structural, geotechnical, systems, stations, depots, track, MEP, architecture, and interface management. The individual will also serve as the senior point of contact for clients, authorities, partners, and key project stakeholders.

Equal Opportunity Employer

SYSTRA is an equal opportunities company, and this position is open to all qualified applicants.