Control Room Operator

Alfanar Engineering Services; Dammam; On-site; SAR 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading engineering services provider in Dammam seeks a Control Room Operator to manage operations for their electricity distribution grid. The ideal candidate should have a Bachelor’s/Master’s Degree in Electrical Engineering, with a minimum of 3 years of relevant experience, particularly with SCADA systems. This role is crucial for maintaining system integrity and stability in a 24/7 operational environment.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 3 years of relevant experience within electric utility or power plant operations.
• Proven ability to make decisions in stressful situations.

Responsibilities

• Execute system operations for an electricity distribution grid.
• Monitor and operate distribution system equipment.
• Analyze real-time data from SCADA systems.

Skills

SCADA systems

Electric grid operations

Team Leadership

Risk assessment

English proficiency

Arabic proficiency

Education

Bachelor’s or Master´s Degree in Electrical Engineering

Tools

CMMS

Job description

About Alfanar Projects

Since 1976, Alfanar Projects has evolved into an integrated global project developer and engineering, construction, and technology solutions provider. With a strong track record in the energy, water, and infrastructure sectors, we work alongside governments and partners to deliver strategic projects that align with national priorities and long‑term visions.

Our global workforce of 10,000+ professionals drives our mission to shape a more sustainable future, delivering impact‑driven solutions across borders.

Position Summary

The Control Room Operator will be an essential member of our 24/7 mission‑critical operations team. This role requires a professional with a proven track record in SCADA systems and high‑stakes Control Center Operations (such as power generation, complex industrial processes, or utility/grid management). A strong engineering background is a prerequisite for this position, ensuring the technical competence needed to maintain system integrity and respond effectively to operational demands.

Key Responsibilities

• Execute system operations for an electricity distribution grid.
• Contribute according to his later role in the grid operations in a secure and reliable manner e.g.
• Monitor and operate distribution system equipment, including switchgear, transformers, backup generation, and circuit breakers.
• Respond to alarms and system alerts to ensure the reliability and stability of the distribution network.
• Execute or instruct switching programs and implement operational plans to maintain system balance and meet load requirements.
• Analyze real‑time data from SCADA systems and other monitoring tools to assess system status and performance.
• Generate reports on system operations, performance metrics, and compliance with regulatory requirements.
• Issuing permit to work for Operation and maintenance team.
• Takes or directs appropriate real‑time actions, as necessary, under normal and emergency conditions to maintain system reliability, including restoration plan.
• Collaborate with engineers and other Control Center Operators to coordinate system operations and response efforts.
• Communicate effectively with internal teams, external stakeholders, and customers regarding system status, outages, and restoration timelines.
• Adhere to operational procedures, safety protocols, and regulatory guidelines in all aspects of control center operations.
• Maintain logs and documentation for grid operations and prepare reports as required.
• Document and report incidents, outages, and system performance data for analysis and improvement.
• Ability and willingness to work in 24/7 shift schedules at the working places within the control room.

BACKGROUND, SKILLS & QUALIFICATIONS

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

• In‑depth, multi‑year experience in the control rooms, based on common SCADA systems
• Beneficial to have experience on distribution system operations of electrical grids.
• Exercises substantial personal responsibility and autonomy.
• Makes autonomous decisions in stressing and critical situation with significant impact
• Assesses and evaluates risk.
• Facilitates collaboration between stakeholders who have diverse objectives.
• Takes initiative to keep skills up to date.
• Team Leadership and Monitoring.
• Maintains an awareness of developments in the industry.
• Outstanding English language skills, both orally and in writing, Arabic would be an advantage
• Experience in CMMS will be highly preferred.

Qualifications

• A minimum of 3 years of relevant experience within electric utility or power plant operations
• A Bachelor’s/Master´s Degree or equivalent education, training or experience in Electrical Engineering; concentration in Power Systems