Senior Electrical Engineer

Sargent & Lundy; Dubai; On-site; AED 300,000 - 520,000; Full time

Job summary

Sargent & Lundy in the United Arab Emirates is seeking a senior electrical engineer to lead the design, modification, and analysis of electrical systems for large power projects, including CCGT facilities and seawater desalination plants.

The role requires extensive ETAP and software experience, IEC/NFPA code knowledge, and the ability to liaise with clients while mentoring junior engineers. Travel to client sites and ongoing professional development are expected.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering with emphasis on power systems.
• 5+ years of experience in power plant design (CCGT) and/or SWRO Desalination plants.
• Experience with equipment selection, control philosophy, and preparation of calculations and specifications.
• Experience with electrical system design including MV/LV distribution, transformers, generators, motors, and communication systems.
• Experience performing calculations in ETAP.
• Experience with IEC and NFPA standards.
• Technical knowledge of electrical power distribution equipment.
• Experience with physical design including raceway and equipment layouts.
• Experience as a lead liaison to clients and managing multiple projects.
• UAE driver's license or ability to obtain one.

Responsibilities

• Design, modification, and analysis of electrical systems for projects ranging from retrofits to new installations.
• Prepare specifications for procurement of major electrical equipment and related services.
• Assist project manager to ensure projects are completed on time and within budget.
• Coordinate design activities to ensure compliance with specifications, codes, and client requirements.
• Prepare and review electrical drawings and 3‑D models; develop input for design teams.
• Prepare calculations (power system studies, voltage drop, relay settings, arc flash).
• Interface with vendors to prepare BOMs and equipment purchase specifications.
• Prepare and review reports and studies per client requirements and S&L formats.
• Provide mentorship to less-experienced engineers.
• Travel to client and vendor sites for design reviews and field verification.
• Advance career through S&L’s Communities of Practice and peer-learning.

Skills

Power systems design

ETAP

Medium/low voltage distribution

IEC/NFPA knowledge

Client liaison

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering (Power Systems)

Tools

ETAP

PSS/e

DigSilent

SKM

PSCAD

Job description

Description

Project teams in our Energy & Industrial Group (EIG) support industry‑leading projects in power generation, water treatment, plant design, environmental compliance, mid/downstream oil & gas, and multi‑disciplined industrial projects. Our EIG teams perform detailed engineering services for large thermal projects, water desalination projects and cogeneration projects. We’re the industry leader in carbon capture technologies with experience executing pilot‑scale to commercial‑scale projects for utilities and industrial plants. This position is UAE based.

Responsibilities

• Work as a senior technical engineer involved in the design, modification, and analysis of electrical systems for projects ranging from existing plant retrofits to new generation installations.
• Involve in power distribution designs and the preparation of specifications for the procurement of major electrical power equipment and related installation services needed support the projects.
• Assist project manager in efforts to ensure projects are completed satisfactorily, on time, and within budget.
• Coordinate systems design activities to ensure installation and operations will comply with specifications, codes, and client requirements.
• Prepare and review functional design drawings including single line, relay and metering, cable block, and schematic diagrams. Prepare documentation for design input for other drawing production and 3‑D modeling.
• Prepare and review detailed calculations, including auxiliary power system studies, voltage drop, protective relay settings, and arc flash calculations.
• Interface with vendors to prepare bills of material and equipment purchase specifications and provide recommendations to the client.
• Prepare reports and studies that present technical information in a clear and concise manner and meet client requirements and S&L formats.
• Perform independent reviews of work performed by others including calculations and drawings.
• Provide guidance as a mentor in the development of less experienced engineers.
• Develop your career via peer‑learning by way of S&L’s systems of processes and associated "Communities of Practice".
• Communicate and interact with client staff. Travel to client and vendor offices for design reviews and to plant site locations for construction coordination and field verification of designs is anticipated.

AI & Automation Expectations

• Lead others in taking engineering problems from issue to solution by setting expectations for using data and modern tools such as automation and AI to improve workflows, reduce rework, and deliver cost‑effective designs.
• Direct automation and process‑improvement work, such as how teams automate calculations, summarize technical documents, or generate design documentation, and guide when and how AI or agentic AI tools are used while ensuring results are checked.
• Oversee engineers who program or script (e.g., Python, MATLAB, advanced Excel) to automate engineering tasks, with review of automated outputs (valued but not required).
• Value additional learning such as a minor, certificate, or other experience in Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Software Engineering, or related fields that enables effective oversight of automation and agentic AI‑enabled engineering workflows.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering with an emphasis on power systems.
• 5+ years of experience in power plant design particularly Combined Cycle Gas Turbine (CCGT) facilities and/or SWRO Desalination plants, focused on integrated, detailed system design for new facilities or modifications/replacements for existing facilities.
• Experience in the selection of equipment, materials, control philosophy, and the preparation and assembling of calculations and specifications.
• Experience with electrical system design including medium and low voltage distribution systems (transformers, generators, motors), communication systems, equipment selection, and analytical calculations.
• Experience performing calculations in ETAP.
• Experience with international codes and standards including IEC and NFPA.
• Technical knowledge of available electrical power distribution equipment.
• Experience with physical design including raceway and equipment layouts.
• Experience serving as firm/client liaison in a lead engineering role and managing multiple tasks/projects at once.
• Experience reviewing other engineers’ design calculations and drawings.
• UAE Drivers license or ability to acquire one.

Preferred Skills

• Engineering consulting experience and strong client relationships with MENA/CIS clients.
• Experience with other calculation software such as CDEGs, PSS/e, DigSilent, SKM, Autogrid, PSCAD, EMTP.
• Experience with Saudi Electric standards.
• Proposal development experience.
• Construction, commissioning, and start‑up experience.