Commissioning Director

Confidential; Saudi Arabia; On-site; SAR 449,000 - 675,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading engineering firm in Saudi Arabia is seeking a Commissioning Director to lead and manage the commissioning of mega-scale water, wastewater, and desalination projects. The ideal candidate should have over 20 years of experience in the relevant sectors and at least 10 years in senior leadership roles. Key responsibilities include defining commissioning strategies, overseeing multi-disciplinary teams, and ensuring compliance with international standards. This role demands strong leadership and communication skills.

Qualifications

• 20+ years of commissioning experience in water, wastewater, or desalination sectors.
• At least 10 years in senior leadership roles.
• Proven expertise in mega or giga-scale projects.

Responsibilities

• Define and execute the commissioning strategy for projects.
• Oversee pre-commissioning, commissioning, and start-up activities.
• Lead and mentor large, multi-disciplinary commissioning teams.

Skills

Leadership

Stakeholder management

Risk management

Performance optimisation

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Engineering

Job description

Role Purpose

To lead and manage the commissioning of mega-scale water, wastewater, and desalination projects, ensuring all systems and processes are tested, optimized, and delivered in compliance with contractual, operational, and safety standards. The Commissioning Director oversees the full commissioning lifecycle, from pre-commissioning through final handover, providing strategic leadership, operational oversight, and ensuring world‑class project execution.

Key Responsibilities

• Define and execute the commissioning strategy for mega water, wastewater, and desalination projects.
• Oversee pre‑commissioning, commissioning, and start‑up activities, ensuring integration across all engineering disciplines.
• Ensure successful closure of stations, including performance testing, punch‑list resolution, and final project handover.
• Ensure projects are delivered fully operational, compliant with contractual, regulatory, and safety standards.
• Lead and mentor large, multi‑disciplinary commissioning teams across multiple sites.
• Establish governance frameworks, KPIs, and reporting systems to monitor commissioning performance and compliance.
• Act as the primary liaison with clients, EPC contractors, consultants, and regulatory authorities.
• Identify, assess, and mitigate risks associated with complex commissioning activities.
• Ensure adherence to international standards, local regulations, and HSE best practices.
• Provide strategic oversight for troubleshooting, system optimization, and operational readiness.
• Capture lessons learned and implement continuous improvement practices for future projects.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Process, or Chemical Engineering.
• 20+ years of commissioning experience in the water, wastewater, and/or desalination sectors, with at least 10 years in senior leadership roles.
• Proven expertise in mega or giga‑scale projects, with a strong track record in ensuring fully operational water and wastewater facilities.
• Demonstrated ability in closing large‑scale stations, including performance guarantees and final project handover.
• Strong leadership and organisational skills, capable of managing large multi‑disciplinary teams and multiple contractors.
• Advanced knowledge of international standards, utilities regulations, and commissioning methodologies.
• Excellent stakeholder management, communication, and executive‑level engagement skills.
• Strong problem‑solving, risk management, and performance optimisation capabilities.