Engineering Manager – Rail

Systra; Saudi Arabia; On-site; SAR 300,000 - 400,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading engineering consultancy in Saudi Arabia is seeking an Engineering Manager to oversee multidisciplinary design and integration for large-scale rail projects. The ideal candidate will have 15+ years of engineering experience with at least 7 years in rail, along with strong leadership skills. The role involves ensuring compliance with standards and managing stakeholder relationships. Applicants should possess a Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, and familiarity with GCC and Saudi standards is preferred. Strong communication skills and expertise in design assurance are essential.

Qualifications

• 15+ years of engineering experience with at least 7 years in rail.
• Demonstrated leadership in rail design and systems integration.
• Professional registration/certification (e.g., PE/CEng) is advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Lead multidisciplinary engineering design and integration.
• Manage design reviews and approvals.
• Oversee systems integration across various engineering disciplines.
• Ensure compliance with applicable standards and authority requirements.
• Drive BIM adoption and quality assurance of models.

Skills

Rail systems knowledge

Stakeholder management

Design assurance

Project controls

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering

Master’s degree in Engineering

Tools

BIM/CDE tools (Revit, Civil 3D)

Project controls software (Primavera P6)

Job description

SYSTRA is one of the world's leading engineering and consultancy groups specialising in public transport and sustainable mobility. With over 10,300 employees, SYSTRA's mission is to design safe and sustainable transport solutions to bring people together, develop social inclusion and facilitate access to employment, education and leisure throughout the world.

For 65 years, the Group has been working alongside cities and regions to contribute to their development by creating, improving and modernising their infrastructure and transport systems, throughout the life cycle of their projects. SYSTRA is involved from the earliest stages of design through to the testing, deployment and maintenance phases. The company provides all its services in over 80 countries worldwide and generates 74% of its turnover internationally. With its new services, SYSTRA supports its clients and partners in their digital, ecological and energy transition, in order to invent the mobility of tomorrow.

Context

The Engineering Manager will lead multidisciplinary design and integration for large-scale rail project within a Project Management Consultancy (PMC) environment. Reporting to the Project Director, this role ensures engineering governance, technical assurance, and interface coordination across civil, track, signaling, telecoms, power/traction, stations/architecture, MEP, and rolling stock. The successful candidate will drive compliance with client requirements, standards, and regulatory frameworks, while enabling timely, cost-effective delivery through robust design management and stakeholder coordination. GCC experience is preferred, with strong familiarity with Saudi standards, authorities, and delivery practices.

Missions/Main Duties

• Provide technical leadership and oversight of all engineering disciplines, ensuring alignment with project objectives, contractual obligations, and regulatory requirements.
• Establish and maintain engineering management plans, design assurance processes, and configuration control, including requirements traceability from concept through handover.
• Lead multidisciplinary design reviews, manage design deliverables and approvals, and ensure resolution of technical queries and non-conformances.
• Oversee systems integration across track, signaling (e.g., CBTC/ETCS), telecoms, power (OLE/third rail/traction), SCADA, and rolling stock, including interface control documents and integration test strategies.
• Coordinate civil and systems interfaces, including stations, depots, structures, trackwork, OCS/OLE, and MEP, to prevent clashes and late-stage rework.
• Support project controls by aligning engineering deliverables with the master schedule, risk register, and cost forecasts; contribute to change control and value engineering.
• Ensure compliance with applicable standards (EN, IEC, NFPA, AREMA where relevant) and Saudi/GCC authority requirements; lead technical submissions for permits and approvals.
• Embed HSE and RAMS principles in design, including constructability, operability, maintainability, and whole-life considerations; champion design for safety.
• Manage stakeholders across client/authority, operators, EPC contractors, suppliers, and third parties; facilitate technical workshops and decision forums.
• Drive BIM/CDE adoption (e.g., Revit, Civil 3D, ProjectWise, Aconex), information management, and quality assurance of models and data.
• Support testing and commissioning readiness: oversee technical assurance, integration plans, and handover documentation; liaise with operations and maintenance teams.
• Build and mentor a high-performing engineering team; define roles, resource plans, and competency development; coordinate with PMO, commercial, and procurement functions.
• Prepare and present technical reports, dashboards, and governance materials to senior stakeholders; contribute to risk, design change, and lessons-learned processes.

Profile/Skills

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Civil, Electrical, Mechanical, Systems) required; Master’s degree preferred.
• 15+ years of engineering experience with at least 7 years in rail; prior PMC or client-side consulting experience is strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated leadership of multidisciplinary rail design and systems integration across major programs.
• Professional registration/certification (e.g., PE/CEng/PMI-PMP) is advantageous.

Technical Knowledge and Competencies

• Deep understanding of rail systems and interfaces: trackwork, signaling, telecoms, traction power/OLE, SCADA, rolling stock, stations/MEP, and depots.
• Proven experience in design assurance, requirements management, configuration control, and technical risk management.
• Familiarity with international standards (EN/IEC, BS, NFPA) and regional authority requirements; knowledge of Saudi codes, approvals, and utility coordination is a plus.
• Proficiency with BIM/CDE and engineering tools (e.g., Revit, Civil 3D, MicroStation, ProjectWise/Aconex) and collaboration workflows.
• Strong command of project controls concepts: schedule integration (Primavera P6), cost/change management, value engineering, and risk mitigation.
• Excellent stakeholder management, communication, and governance reporting skills.
• Experience delivering rail projects in the GCC, preferably in Saudi Arabia, with exposure to local authorities, permit processes, and client organizations.
• Knowledge of regional procurement approaches and contract frameworks (FIDIC), and familiarity with Saudization and local market dynamics.
• Arabic language skills are beneficial; strong English proficiency is required.

Systra is an equal opportunities company; this position is open to all applicants.