Principal Engineer Mechanical Aviation Buildings

WSP; Saudi Arabia; On-site; SAR 299,962 - 374,953; Full time

Job summary

WSP is seeking a seasoned Lead Mechanical Engineer for aviation facilities in Saudi Arabia. The role involves leading HVAC design, managing environmental strategies, and ensuring compliance with industry standards.

Ideal candidates will have over 15 years of experience in mechanical engineering, particularly in aviation projects, and possess a Bachelor’s or Master’s in Mechanical Engineering. Skills in BIM tools are essential, along with strong client-facing communication skills.

Short-term placement at Dammam Airport is required initially, followed by relocation to the main office post-project.

Qualifications

• 15+ years’ experience in building services with aviation project delivery.
• Professional registration (e.g., CEng/PE) strongly preferred.
• Expertise writing BoDs, specifications, and control sequences.

Responsibilities

• Lead mechanical/HVAC design for aviation facilities.
• Own environmental strategy for hangar bays.
• Integrate process utilities for MRO and workshops.

Skills

Leadership on multi-disciplinary design projects

Client-facing communication

BIM fluency: Revit, Navisworks

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering

Tools

Revit

Navisworks

IES-VE

HAP

eQuest

Job description

Responsibilities

• Lead mechanical/HVAC design from feasibility and basis‑of‑design (BoD) through detailed design, tender and construction support for aviation facilities.

• Own the environmental strategy for very large volumes (e.g., hangar bays): heating/cooling concepts, destratification, purge/exhaust modes, make‑up air, and controls sequences—balancing energy, IAQ and safety. (UFC/ASHRAE/NFPA context).

• Engineer specialist ventilation for hazardous operations: paint spray booths/rooms, fuel‑cell maintenance/purge ventilation, welding/fume extraction, VOC control, and hazardous‑area interfaces with electrical/controls.

• Design and specify compressed air systems (instrument/process/breathing air): generation, drying, filtration, storage, distribution, point‑of‑use regulation, monitoring and quality classes (ISO 8573).

• Integrate process utilities common to MRO and workshops—vacuum, nitrogen, process cooling water, oil/water separation interfaces, and condensate management—coordinating with fire/life safety and electrical.

• Shape catering facility HVAC and hygienic air zones: kitchen exhaust & makeup air (NFPA 96), pressure cascades, temperature/humidity control for clean prep/packing, and cold‑chain room interface with refrigeration and HACCP/ISO 22000 programs.

• Deliver BIM‑led coordination (Revit/Navisworks) across architecture, structures, process, fire protection, and controls; lead clash resolution and model QA.

• Run calculations & simulations: loads, duct/pipe sizing, ventilation rates, smoke/fume capture, and (where needed) CFD to support the thermal comfort studies.

• Author technical documents: BoD, design reports, specifications, sequences of operation, control narratives, FAT/SAT/commissioning plans.

• Mentor and review the work of engineers/designers; lead design reviews, HAZOPs, and constructability/operability workshops.

• Engage stakeholders—airlines/MROs, airport operators, food safety teams, and authorities—to secure approvals and smooth delivery.

• Lead retrofit, refurbishment, and brownfield upgrade projects within operational airport environments—assessing existing systems, developing phased upgrade strategies, ensuring minimal disruption to ongoing operations, and integrating new systems with legacy infrastructure while addressing capacity, compliance, and energy performance improvements.

• Key systems & domains you’ll cover

  Hangars & workshops: general and emergency exhaust, purge ventilation for fuel system work, floor‑level capture where required, destratification/HVLS fans, door air management, radiant/air systems, PCA (pre‑conditioned air) and GSE interfaces.

  Paint/corrosion control: booth/room supply & exhaust, filtration, interlocks, LEL sensing, VOC abatement interfaces, hazardous‑area zoning/ATEX/IECEx coordination with electrical teams.

  Welding & fabrication: local exhaust ventilation (LEV), fume extraction arms/hoods, booth/backdraft design, and general dilution ventilation aligned with OSHA/ACGIH guidance.

  Compressed air: oil‑free/oil‑lubricated selection, dryers (refrigerated/desiccant), filtration trains to meet ISO 8573 purity classes for tools/processes; breathing‑air systems to OSHA Grade D (CGA G-7.1) when required.

  Catering facilities: high‑duty kitchen exhaust & makeup air (hoods, MAUs, heat recovery), grease ducting, rooftop terminations, pressure zoning for hygiene, and interfaces to cold rooms/freezers and clean areas aligned to HACCP/ISO 22000.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering.

• Professional registration (e.g., CEng/PE) strongly preferred.

• 15+ years’ experience in building services (mechanical/HVAC), with significant aviation/industrial project deliveryhangars, MRO shops, paint/corrosion control, flight catering, or similar).

• Proven leadership as Lead/Principal Engineer on multi‑disciplinary design projects.

• Deep knowledge of codes/standards typically applied on aviation assets such as

  • Aircraft Maintenance Hangars and Corrosion Control & Paint Facilities.

  • NFPA 409 (aircraft hangars), NFPA 33 (spray application), NFPA 96 (commercial cooking/kitchen exhaust).

  • ASHRAE 62.1 (ventilation/IAQ), with familiarity in 90.1/energy implications.

  • ISO 8573 for compressed air quality; OSHA 1910.134 / CGA G-7.1 Grade D where breathing‑air is part of scope.

• Expertise writing BoDs, specifications, P&IDs, control sequences, etc.

• BIM fluency: Revit, Navisworks; competence with calculations (e.g., IES‑VE/HAP/eQuest), and airflow network tools; CFD exposure preferred.

• Client‑facing communication and team leadership; mentoring and QA/QC across multiple concurrent packages.

• Strong communication skills for effective client presentations, stakeholder workshops, and cross‑functional coordination.

• Willingness to be based at Dammam Airport for the initial phase of the project (short‑term assignment) and relocate to the main office upon project completion.

Nice to Have

• Prior delivery in live airport environments (airside/landside interfaces, works phasing).

• Experience with PCA/GPU integration and hangar door infiltration strategies.

• Familiarity with food‑safe HVAC zoning and cleanroom‑adjacent spaces in food processing.