Lead Materials Engineer - Rail and Infrastructure Projects

Parsons; Riyadh; On-site; SAR 400,000 - 700,000; Full time

Job summary

Parsons in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, is seeking a Lead Materials Engineer to oversee material selection, testing, and technical evaluations for rail and infrastructure projects. Responsibilities include reviewing material submissions, ensuring compliance with project specs, international standards, and Saudi regulations, and coordinating with design, construction, procurement, and quality teams.

The role requires at least 10 years of experience in construction materials engineering, strong testing

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering, Construction Engineering, or a related field.
• Minimum 10 years of professional experience in construction material design, selection, maintenance, testing, and troubleshooting.
• Experience working on major civil engineering, infrastructure, or heavy construction projects.
• Strong knowledge of construction materials and their engineering applications.
• Experience reviewing construction material specifications and technical submissions.
• Strong understanding of material testing methodologies and quality assurance processes.
• Good knowledge of applicable international material engineering standards and specifications.
• Experience reviewing concrete mix designs, earthworks materials, and construction products.
• Ability to assess material compliance against approved technical requirements.
• Strong analytical, technical evaluation, and problem-solving capabilities.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.

Responsibilities

• Review construction material specifications and proposed materials for rail and railway infrastructure projects.
• Evaluate materials for stations, tunnels, viaducts, depots, trackwork, roads, utilities, and related facilities.
• Assess concrete, cement, aggregates, reinforcement, structural steel, asphalt, and earthworks materials.
• Review waterproofing systems, grouts, coatings, sealants, geosynthetics, and other construction products.
• Verify compliance with designs, project specs, international standards, and Saudi regulations.
• Evaluate substitutions, alternatives, and sustainable construction materials.
• Provide technical recommendations on material suitability, durability, availability, and lifecycle performance.
• Coordinate with design, construction, procurement, and quality teams on material requirements.
• Oversee laboratory and field testing of concrete, soils, aggregates, asphalt, steel, waterproofing, grouts, coatings, etc.
• Review test results to ensure compliance with specifications.
• Prepare reports and support QA and regulatory reviews.

Skills

Construction materials knowledge

Analytical skills

English communication

Project coordination

Education

Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Lead Materials Engineer - Rail and Infrastructure Projects Job Snapshot - Role: Lead Materials Engineer - Location: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - Industry: Civil Engineering - Function: Civil & Structural Engineering - Experience: Minimum 10 years - Job Type: Full Time - Work Arrangement: On-site

Position Overview: Parsons is seeking an experienced Lead Materials Engineer to oversee construction material selection, specification compliance, quality testing, and technical evaluations for rail and infrastructure projects in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. In this role, you will review and assess materials used in railway stations, tunnels, viaducts, depots, trackwork, roads, utilities, and associated infrastructure facilities. You will ensure that proposed materials comply with approved designs, project specifications, applicable international standards, and Saudi regulatory requirements. The position involves reviewing contractor material submissions, overseeing laboratory and field testing, investigating material defects, evaluating suppliers, and providing technical recommendations on material durability and performance. You will collaborate with design, construction, procurement, and quality teams to support reliable material selection, construction quality, and long-term infrastructure performance. The successful candidate will have at least 10 years of relevant materials engineering experience, strong knowledge of construction material testing, and proven experience supporting major civil engineering or infrastructure projects.

Key Responsibilities

Materials Selection and Technical Specifications

• Review and approve construction material specifications and proposed materials for rail and railway infrastructure projects.
• Evaluate materials intended for stations, tunnels, viaducts, depots, trackwork, roads, utilities, and associated facilities.
• Assess concrete, cement, aggregates, reinforcement, structural steel, asphalt, and earthworks materials.
• Review waterproofing systems, grouts, coatings, sealants, geosynthetics, and other construction products.
• Verify compliance with approved designs, project specifications, international standards, and applicable Saudi regulations.
• Evaluate proposed material substitutions, alternative products, and innovative or sustainable construction materials.
• Provide technical recommendations regarding material suitability, durability, availability, and lifecycle performance.
• Coordinate with design, construction, procurement, and quality teams on material selection and specification requirements.

Material Quality Assurance and Testing

• Review and approve contractor material submittals, quality plans, inspection and test plans, and testing procedures.
• Oversee laboratory and field testing of concrete, soils, aggregates, asphalt, steel, waterproofing, grouts, coatings, and other construction materials.
• Review concrete mix designs, trial mixes, material certificates, laboratory reports, and test results.
• Verify that testing laboratories and equipment meet project requirements.
• Assess sampling procedures, testing methodologies, calibration practices, and acceptance criteria.
• Review test findings to determine whether materials meet approved technical specifications.
• Coordinate with quality personnel and contractors to address material testing concerns.
• Support consistent implementation of approved material inspection and testing requirements.

Material Defect Investigation and Nonconformance Management

• Investigate construction material defects, failures, and nonconforming work.
• Assess concrete cracking, insufficient concrete strength, and surface defects.
• Investigate settlement, inadequate compaction, and earthworks-related material issues.
• Review waterproofing failures, pavement deterioration, and other material performance concerns.
• Analyze relevant test results, inspection records, and technical documentation.
• Identify potential causes of material defects and recommend appropriate technical solutions.
• Coordinate with construction and quality teams during defect investigations.
• Prepare technical investigation reports and maintain supporting nonconformance documentation.

Engineering Standards and Regulatory Compliance

• Ensure construction materials and associated processes comply with approved project specifications.
• Verify compliance with applicable international engineering standards and Saudi regulatory requirements.
• Review new or revised standards and assess their implications for material selection and testing.
• Evaluate the impact of specification changes on construction methods and material acceptance.
• Ensure materials used in safety-critical and operational areas satisfy required certification and approval requirements.
• Support technical submissions, regulatory reviews, and client approval processes.
• Prepare responses to material-related technical comments and compliance inquiries.
• Provide guidance to project teams on applicable material engineering requirements.

Supplier, Manufacturer, and Laboratory Evaluation

• Review and assess construction material suppliers, manufacturers, and material sources.
• Evaluate quarries, concrete batching plants, asphalt plants, and precast manufacturing facilities.
• Review testing laboratories and their suitability for project material testing requirements.
• Assess supplier and manufacturer submissions against approved project specifications.
• Review material-related requests for information and technical queries.
• Evaluate proposed deviations, concessions, substitutions, and material changes.
• Coordinate with procurement, construction, and quality personnel on supplier-related technical matters.
• Maintain accurate supplier and material approval records.

Material Durability and Lifecycle Performance

• Review material durability requirements for major civil engineering and railway infrastructure components.
• Evaluate material performance under high-temperature and thermal movement conditions.
• Assess corrosion risks and chemical exposure affecting construction materials.
• Review waterproofing and water ingress protection requirements.
• Consider fire performance requirements for relevant construction products.
• Evaluate long-term material performance and service-life considerations.
• Review proposed materials for suitability under applicable environmental and operating conditions.
• Consider sustainability and lifecycle cost implications when assessing material alternatives.

Railway and Transportation Infrastructure Materials

• Review construction materials proposed for rail and metro infrastructure applications.
• Assess material requirements associated with railway track slabs and rail-support systems.
• Evaluate relevant vibration-isolation products and material performance characteristics.
• Consider electrical isolation requirements where applicable to railway materials.
• Review materials used in tunnels, viaducts, stations, depots, and supporting infrastructure.
• Coordinate with relevant engineering disciplines to address material compatibility and performance requirements.
• Support technical reviews involving railway construction materials and associated infrastructure systems.

Technical Coordination and Project Support

• Provide materials engineering support to Project Managers, engineers, construction teams, and quality personnel.
• Participate in design reviews, construction meetings, technical workshops, and project coordination activities.
• Attend material inspections, technical audits, and defect investigations.
• Review material-related technical issues and recommend appropriate engineering responses.
• Coordinate with multidisciplinary teams to resolve material selection and compliance concerns.
• Provide technical input during construction and quality reviews.
• Support the consistent application of approved material engineering practices.

Materials Documentation and Reporting

• Maintain material registers and approved-material lists.
• Organize and update material testing records, supplier records, and inspection reports.
• Maintain nonconformance documentation and associated technical records.
• Prepare material evaluations, technical reports, audit reports, and investigation reports.
• Produce compliance summaries and supporting documentation for project reviews.
• Support material closeout and handover documentation.
• Review relevant material warranties and operation and maintenance records.
• Ensure material documentation remains accurate, complete, and accessible for project requirements.

Technical Leadership and Mentoring

• Provide technical guidance to materials engineers, inspectors, laboratory technicians, and junior personnel.
• Support team members in interpreting material specifications and testing requirements.
• Share technical knowledge of construction materials, quality assurance, and compliance procedures.
• Assist junior personnel in evaluating material submissions and laboratory findings.
• Promote consistent material assessment and reporting practices.
• Encourage effective coordination between materials engineering, construction, and quality teams.

Required Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor 's degree in Civil Engineering, Construction Engineering, or a related field.
• Minimum 10 years of professional experience in construction material design, selection, maintenance, testing, and troubleshooting.
• Experience working on major civil engineering, infrastructure, or heavy construction projects.
• Strong knowledge of construction materials and their engineering applications.
• Experience reviewing construction material specifications and technical submissions.
• Strong understanding of material testing methodologies and quality assurance processes.
• Good knowledge of applicable international material engineering standards and specifications.
• Experience reviewing concrete mix designs, earthworks materials, and construction products.
• Ability to assess material compliance against approved technical requirements.
• Strong analytical, technical evaluation, and problem-solving capabilities.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.

Technical Skills and Knowledge

• Concrete technology, cement, aggregates, and reinforcement materials.
• Structural steel and precast construction materials.
• Earthworks materials, soil testing, and compaction requirements.
• Asphalt materials and pavement construction.
• Waterproofing systems, grouts, coatings, and sealants.
• Geosynthetics and associated construction applications.
• Rail and metro construction materials.
• Track slabs and rail-support systems.
• Vibration-isolation products and electrical isolation requirements.
• Material inspection and test plans.
• Laboratory and field testing methodologies.
• Material sampling, equipment calibration, and acceptance criteria.
• Concrete mix design assessment and laboratory report evaluation.
• Construction material durability and corrosion protection.
• Thermal performance, chemical exposure, and water ingress considerations.
• Sustainability, service-life planning, and lifecycle cost assessment.
• Material nonconformance investigation and technical reporting.
• Microsoft Office applications and electronic document-control systems.

Preferred Knowledge and Experience

• Knowledge of rail, metro, transit, or transportation systems engineering principles and practices.

Key Professional Competencies

• Strong technical judgment in construction material evaluation.
• Analytical thinking and structured problem-solving.
• Attention to detail and accuracy in technical assessments.
• Ability to interpret engineering specifications and testing requirements.
• Effective coordination with multidisciplinary engineering teams.
• Clear technical communication and report writing.
• Ability to investigate material defects and assess compliance concerns.
• Commitment to quality assurance and regulatory compliance.
• Technical leadership and mentoring capabilities.
• Awareness of material durability, sustainability, and long-term performance requirements.

Working at Parsons Parsons provides a collaborative engineering environment where professionals contribute to complex infrastructure projects and work alongside experienced technical teams. The company values innovation, technical expertise, adaptability, and continuous professional development. As a Lead Materials Engineer, you will contribute to construction material quality, technical compliance, and the long-term performance of major rail and infrastructure assets.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Parsons is committed to equal employment opportunity and fair representation at all job levels without discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, national origin, age, disability, or genetic information.